November 24, 2009
· Filed under Coffee, Coffee Flavors, Coffee Review, Starbucks · Tagged Christmas Blend Review, Coffee, Starbucks
This week my fellow readers I bring you a review on Starbucks’ Christmas Blend.
[My apologies for lacking my own personally taken photo. This picture was indeed taken from Starbucks' website.]
I really am quite a fan of this particular coffee. I was introduced to it last year and unhesitatingly fell in love. Its somewhat earthy and has a great body, a tad spicy, but yet there’s still a crispness. Its an Asian/Pacific and Latin American blend. Since it is partially a Latin American blend, its not as bold as you would think. My thoughts, give it a try. You just might surprise yourself and be swayed by its spicy goodness.
The brew is available in a ½ pound, 1 pound, and 1.5 (25 oz) pound bag. And for those of you who prefer not to be wired, its also available in decaf. As far as food pairings, I love it with something spicy such as gingerbread or gingersnaps. For those of you missing the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from last year, Starbucks came out with a cocoa trio ($9.95) and there is a Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate in one of the tins.
Later this week or early next week, I will bring you all a recipe for coffee pancakes. Yes, you read that right, coffee pancakes. Get your tummy filled and your heart pumping.
<3CoffeeVanilla
November 17, 2009
· Filed under Coffee, Coffee Flavors, Coffee Review, Starbucks · Tagged Caramel Brulee Latte, Coffee, Starbucks
This morning, I walk into my Starbucks and see that its decked out for Christmas. Why it was like walking in a winter wonderland (sorry for the cheesy song reference). Snowflakes, a miniature Christmas tree, and A LOT of red. Starbucks has released their new holiday beverage this morning too. The Caramel Bruleé Latte. And yes my dears, its delightful. Rich, caramel, buttery, smooth, similar to a butter rum flavor. Down right delicious.
It reminds me of the caramel popcorn you get in those giant popcorn tins around Christmas time. Definitely worth trying if you haven’t already this morning. Oh, and the best part (in my opinion) is that the latte is topped with shiny caramel pieces (yum). Starbucks has also brought back their spicy Christmas Blend and holiday treats. VIA is now available in decaf as well. (YAY for the caffeine sensitive!) Have a wonderful November 17th!
<3CoffeeVanilla
November 3, 2009
· Filed under Coffee, Coffee Flavors, Starbucks, Starbucks Red Cup · Tagged Coffee, Gingerbread Latte, Starbucks, Starbucks Red Cup
Dearly beloveds, we are gathered here today in the celebration of the return of; the red cup. Yes kids, the beautiful Starbucks holiday red cup has returned this morning! Ah, I know Thanksgiving and Christmas are on their way when Starbucks brings back the beautiful cups. Not only have the gorgeous cups returned but so have the Gingerbread Latte (my coveted favorite), Eggnog Latte, and the Peppermint Mocha Lattes. Later this week I’ll bring you a review on the Gingerbread Latte and reviews on the other beverages too!
[Even the back of the cup makes me smile.]
Now, I’m not sure if you have noticed but Starbucks changes the design of their red cups every year. Here’s last years:
[Which design do you prefer?]
Have a wonderful Starbucks red cup day kiddos!
<3CoffeeVanilla
October 21, 2009
· Filed under Coffee, Coffee Flavors, Coffee Review, Starbucks, Starbucks VIA Ready Brew, recipe · Tagged Coffee, Starbucks, Starbucks cookie review, VIA Ready Brew, VIA recipes
Friends, readers, coffee gurus, and coffee fixated individuals, the VIA has arrived. I feel like this is a monumental moment. As if I’ve just won the Nobel Peace Prize. Ok, perhaps thats a tad too far…Still, this is VIA we’re talking about people! My free 20 sticks of Colombia Ready Brew arrived a week or two ago (I won them on a contest on the MyStarbucksIdea website).
I love these little packets of instant perfection. The Colombia is this beautiful medium, well bodied beauty. I picked up a 3-pack of the Italian Roast a couple of weeks ago and fell in love again. (I was impatient for the Colombia to come….) They both deliver a strength that is unheard of from instant coffees. And as I promised recipes are to follow…
Pumpkin Spice VIA Nog:
- ½ – ¾ cup Pumpkin Spice Egg Nog (You can find this at your grocery store near the milk, half and half, creamer, etc.)
Fill a mug with 8oz hot water. Stir in your VIA until completely dissolved. Next, pour in your Pumpkin Spice Egg Nog. Enjoy! I suggest trying a ½ cup first of the egg nog and see how rich it is for you. If you find that it is not too rich and would like more flavor, add another ¼ cup. Feel free to add some whip cream on top if you’d like an even more decadent beverage.
Iced VIA Latte:
- 8oz cold milk (soy, 1%, 2%, whatever you like)
- 1-2 packets Splenda (depends on how sweet you like your coffee, you can use 2-3 tsp. of sugar instead as well)
- 1 packet Colombia or Italian Roast VIA
Pour 8oz of cold milk into a glass. Stir in your VIA and Splenda (or sugar) until dissolved. Add ice cubes and drink up! A straw makes this drink even more lovely. Vanilla or chocolate soy milk would probably be quite tasty as well.
Review On Starbucks Fall Shaped Sugar Cookies:
I love these little things. Inside this adorable little package are 12 thin, little sugar cookies. They are hard and simply sweet. I love them so much that I went back and bought a second pack in the same day. They are $1.95 for a box which is not that bad considering that you get 12. I enjoyed them, you will probably enjoy them as well. They’d be great dipped into a hot mug of VIA.
<3CoffeeVanilla
October 3, 2009
· Filed under Coffee, Coffee Flavors, Coffee Review, Starbucks, Starbucks VIA Ready Brew · Tagged Starbucks, VIA Challenge, VIA Ready Brew Columbia
Starbucks launched their instant coffee (VIA Ready Brew) in stores nation wide on September 29th. Through October 2-5, Starbucks is having a blind tasting of their Pike Place and Columbia VIA Ready Brew to see if you can taste the difference. I took the challenge this morning, and yes my friends, I got it right. It was a very proud moment for me. My barrista was toying with me a bit at first, making me think I could have been wrong (shame on you). Pike Place has this brighter taste to it than the instant Columbia. I could taste the distinctly different flavors from each coffee dancing on my tongue (both are fantastic). Don’t think you’re too impressed by instant coffees?
Think again pal. Starbucks has created this killer instant coffee (also available in extra bold Italian Roast by the way) that tastes like fresh brewed coffee. You can’t even tell its instant (I couldn’t, honestly, a pure shocker)! Also when you take the challenge, your lovely barristas will hand you a coupon for a free tall brewed coffee and a $1 off coupon of any VIA Ready Brew pack (available for your pleasure in a 3 and 12 pack).
Certain Starbucks are handing out samples of the VIA Ready Brew. The other day I went to a Starbucks in a Target to take the VIA challenge but was disappointed to find out that they weren’t doing it when I arrived. However I was immediately cheered when the barrista gave me two Columbia sample packets. (Who doesn’t love free coffee?) Just add one packet to 8oz of hot or cold, milk or water (or both?), stir, and drink in the liquid goodness. The possibilities for what to do with this instant wonder are endless!
Add it to your favorite recipes, make instant good tasting iced coffee, have coffee wherever you go! The travel possibilities with these little pouches are endless too. Put it in your car, wallet, purse, desk, pocket, key chain (I think this could be possible….), anywhere you’d like to take happiness with you! I won a contest on the MyStarbucksIdea website and am expecting my VIA Ready Brew to come in the mail sometime. When it comes in, I’ll come up with some recipes for you guys to play with. Thats all for now readers, go take the challenge!
<3CoffeeVanilla
September 6, 2009
· Filed under Coffee, Coffee Flavors, Coffee Frappuccino recipe, Coffee Review, Starbucks · Tagged Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino recipe, Coffee, Starbucks, Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Syrup, Starbucks French Roast review
Fellow readers, I splurged the other day on a Starbucks bottle of Cinnamon Dolce coffee syrup. Astonishing. Really, thats the only word I can think of at the moment to to describe this product. At first I was a bit weary about purchasing something for such a price ($6.95) but I am very pleased that I decided to buy it anyway. If you think about it, its really not that pricey considering the fact that it is a 1 liter bottle and it comes with a free pump. The possibilities are endless with this beauty. I even formulated a recipe for a Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino…..
My Recipe for a Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino:
- 1 tsp. Instant espresso (or 1oz fresh espresso, if your lucky and have an espresso machine)
- 2 – 2 ½ tbsp. Starbucks’ Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
- a straw (I really do feel that it makes a difference)
Combine your ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour your frosty beverage into a large glass, add straw, and drink slowly.
Whats also cool about this syrup is that it comes in other flavors as well. Such as; Hazelnut, Caramel, Vanilla, Sugar Free Hazelnut, Sugar Free Caramel, Sugar Free Vanilla, Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce, Toffee Nut, Classic, Peppermint, and Raspberry. During the Christmas season they sell their Gingerbread syrup that is used in their most satisfying Gingersnap Latte. Sadly they do not sell their Pumpkin Spice syrup due to it being some sort of secret recipe but one of the ones I mentioned above would be just as spectacular.
Starbucks’ French Roast Review:
This coffee is an extra bold brew with an intense smoky flavor. I didn’t care for it to much due to the smokiness. Its body wasn’t as intense as I would have liked it but it was still pleasant. Over all, its not one of my favorites but if you prefer a coffee with a light body and smoky flavor, you’ll probably enjoy this one.
<3CoffeeVanilla
September 1, 2009
· Filed under Coffee, Coffee Flavors, Coffee Review, Starbucks, Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte · Tagged Coffee, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, Pumpkin Spice Latte review, Starbucks
Pumpkins, candy corn, ghosts, ghouls, little black cats, irritating little children dressed in witches hats. Halloween is almost here! It is not only Halloween that I adore so much, well its fall. Fall to me is like a holiday within its self and I know fall is here when Starbucks has brought out their mouth watering Pumpkin Spice Latte.
[In case you were wondering, no, I did not inhale that frappuccino as well.]
As of today, the Pumpkin Spice Latte has returned! His brother the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino has made a come back as well. Personally, I think this latte tastes like liquid pumpkin pie, and I don’t even like pie. It’s sort of like the taste of pumpkin pie spice mixed with sweet sugar and buttery pumpkins. Normally its topped with whip cream (and pumpkin pie spice) but of course you may ask for it without, and you can get it made with whatever milk option you prefer (nonfat, soy, whole, 2%). The aroma alone is intoxicating.
If you’ve never had one of these lovelies, (it amazes me that you’re still breathing) GET ONE! I doubt you’ll be sorry. Unless you live under a rock and grill kittens…..(How could anyone do that?) If you try it and dislike its pure beauty and liquid perfection, comment me. I won’t scold you, I’d just love to hear your opinion. Coffee/Starbucks talk makes my day. :D
<3CoffeeVanilla
August 29, 2009
· Filed under Boxed Brownies, Brownies, Coffee, Coffee Flavors, Espresso Brownies, Starbucks, recipe · Tagged Boxed Brownies, chocolate glaze recipe, Coffee, coffee facts, Espresso Brownies
I don’t like baking being simple. I really don’t like to use boxed mixes so much because its just too easy for me. However I rethought this thought and decided that these boxed brownies don’t have to be just ordinary boxed brownies, no, they can be mega-mind blowing-astonishing-heavenly brownies! (Excuse my enthusiasm, a Tall Cafe’ Misto and an iced coffee with milk are in my system.)
You can really spice up a box of brownies by stirring in 2-3 tablespoons of instant espresso into the water portion of your brownies (or teaspoons if your coffee tolerance isn’t as ridiculous as mine). And then you have espresso brownies! But don’t let your imagination stop there! Stir in a ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even peanut butter chips! Why not even stir in a ½ cup of nuts? Hazelnuts would be amazing or even walnuts. You could also give macadamia nuts, or almonds a try. No need to stop there either! Make a simple glaze to pour over the top of your brownies when they’re cool such as this chocolate glaze:
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Place your butter, chocolate chips, and corn syrup in a sauce pan over low heat. Stir until your chocolate melts. Remove your pan from the heat and stir in your vanilla. Now take your chocolate glaze and drizzle it over your brownies.
Doesn’t that sound decadent? I think so. :] Ponder the idea of sinking your teeth into an espresso, dark chocolate chip, hazelnut brownie, with a semi-sweet chocolate glaze. Yum.
A Few Coffee Facts:
- Did you know that mild and medium coffee roasts have more caffeine than the dark and extra dark roasts? If I recall correctly its due to the fact that the darker roasts are roasted longer than their milder counterparts.
- Decaf isn’t actually 100% caffeine free either. Starbucks‘ decaf coffee’s have 12-13.4 milligrams per 16oz serving.
- Coffee cherries don’t grow in the same place twice.
Something else to remind you Starbucks lovers, if you have a registered Starbucks’ gift card or Gold Card, go onto your online account. Fill out your mailing and birthday information and on your birthday you will receive a coupon for a free beverage of your choice, in the mail. That is all for now my fellow coffee inhalers. I hope to have some new coffee inspired recipes for you soon!
<3CoffeeVanilla
August 23, 2009
· Filed under Coffee, Coffee Flavors, Coffee Frappuccino recipe, KIND bar review, Starbucks, recipe · Tagged Coffee Frappuccino recipe, KIND bar, Mango Macadamia KIND bar, Starbucks
KIND bar review:
Starbucks is now selling KIND bars as a part of there ‘no artificial anything’ campaign and these are also an addition to their glutton free products. I tried (more like devoured) the KIND Plus calcium Mango Macadamia bar. Wow. Whole macadamia nuts, real chunks of mango, moist, chewy, not to mention theres little rice puffs laced through the entire thing. You also get a hint of coconut which goes so well with the mango. I’d recommend pairing this bar with Starbucks’ Gazebo blend, with their Strawberry Banana Vivanno, or with the Orange Mango Banana Vivanno.
Either one of these drinks would go great with the citrus explosion of flavor in the bar. KIND plus bar also comes in an antioxidant plus and protein plus variety. The calcium provides you with 20% of your daily calcium, 3 grams of fiber, and is all natural. This is bar is about $1.95 but its a nice little treat every now and then. Oh and the packaging is real pretty too. XD
Coffee Frappuccino Recipe: My Take
My uttermost favorite frappuccino flavor from Starbucks is their coffee flavor. I decided to try and make my own. It took me a while but I think I’ve created a concoction that tastes similar and refreshing. Feel free to try it out and let me know what you think.
- ¾ cup milk (the choice of milk is yours)
- 1 ½ tsp. Instant espresso (or if your lucky and own an espresso machine, 1 ½ oz of fresh, cooled espresso)
- 3 Splenda packets (or 3 tsp. Of sugar)
Gather your ingredients and put them into a blender. Blend them until smooth. Pour into glass, add a straw (so you can have the full experience :D), drink.
August 16, 2009
· Filed under Coffee, Starbucks, Starbucks Gumdrops, Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Recipe, Starbucks tumbler, recipe · Tagged Coffee, Starbucks, Starbucks gum drops, Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Recipe, Starbucks tumbler
Hey kids! I have two reviews and a recipe for you guys this week. Enjoy!
Starbucks Tumblers:
So this is my very first Starbucks Tumbler. Yes, it is a shocker that I didn’t possess one of these already, but they were always so pricey for me. Well…this one was on sale! I believe its a 12oz and I bought it for $2.99! (Regular priced I believe for $8.95.) This little guy keeps your drink so well insulated too. I put it to the test by filling it with a home made Cafe Mocha Latte and it stayed nice and warm for several hours. Its completely leak proof too so theres no need to worry about spillage. Also, whenever you bring your Starbucks tumbler to Starbucks and get your beverage made in it, you save 10 cents. Not to mention its a great way to cut down on throwing away paper cups. Kids, you should buy one of these. Heck, buy 5! (I would and just might…) Each season they come out with new designs so make sure you pick yourself up one.
Starbucks Gum Drops:
[Please excuse the empty bag. My tummy couldn't wait for me to get home to my camera.]
Gum drops at a coffee house? Yes. And they’re tasty. This little package of goodness is one of the new products that have been added to Starbucks as part of their ‘No Artificial Anything.’ This package costs $1.00 and the flavors that come in it are: tangerine, pineapple, raspberry and watermelon. Surprisingly I enjoyed them and would buy another package the next time I go to Starbucks. Starbucks also has little packages of jelly beans, something to check into.
My Recipe For a Mocha Frappuccino:
I created this frothy drink myself and I think it tastes identical to the Mocha Frappuccino at Starbucks. Feel free to try it out and let me know what you think on my comments.
- 2 tbsp. Starbucks Mocha Powder
- 1 cup milk (whatever you like)
- 1 tsp. Instant espresso (or 1oz of fresh espresso, cooled)
- A straw, I think it makes a difference :]
Dump all your ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass, add a straw, sip away!
