An icy Frappuccino or smoothie is a delicious way to cool down on a steamy summer afternoon. But if you hope to enjoy one on a daily basis, you may need to take a small loan out to cover the cost. With a price tag of approximately $4 to 6 each, you’re looking at an average of $35 a week, or $420 throughout the high-heat times from mid-June to mid-September. Ouch!
Don’t start calculating what you’ll have to give up to afford your chilly habit just yet. You can make deliciously refreshing drinks for you and your family at home all summer long for a fraction of the cost. You can make an array of frozen concoctions with just a handful of basic ingredients, many of which you may already have in your kitchen or can purchase fairly cheaply. Basic ingredients include bananas, plain or vanilla yogurt (regular or Greek yogurt will do), frozen fruit, coffee and milk.
My favorite smoothie recipe
1/2 cup skim milk (or juice)
1/2 cup frozen berries (or any frozen fruit)
8 oounces plain fat-free yogurt
Mix together in a blender; makes one 12-ounce smoothie.
For a slightly different taste, try this Groovy Smoothie; or if you’re into the healthy/green smoothies, give this one a try. Use kale in place of the spinach for a milder taste.
If you’re a Starbucks junkie, you can whip up frozen coffee drinks that won’t break the bank. Try this Frozen Caramel Latte or this Homemade Frappuccino.
Boost the flavor of your frozen drinks using these tips:
- Peel, cut up and freeze ripe bananas, then use them in place of ice to thicken your drink so it won’t become watered down.
- Add variety by using different frozen fruits — including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches and mangoes — individually or in combination.
- Freeze peeled and cubed watermelon, papaya and cantaloupe for refreshing seasonal options.
- Freeze leftover coffee in ice-cube trays and use the resulting cubes in place of traditional ice to add flavor.
- For a mocha-flavored coffee drink, freeze chocolate milk in ice cube trays and use in place of ice.
- Another option for mocha: Add a couple of squirts of chocolate syrup to the blender with other ingredients.
- Use flavored coffees such as hazelnut and French vanilla.
Love the Idea. try 2 single serve Colombian coffee, 2 tablespoons of sugar, Carnation vanilla creamer, 2 cups Ice, fill with milk just to cover the ice, then blend on high until you don’t hear the ice chopping. Cost about 50 cents or so per glass.