Beverage
Want evidence of full-force mommy brain?
I titled a post “Pumpkin Spice Latte: Hot & Iced”.
And then I only showed the hot.
Which is ironic because it’s the iced that I’ve been sipping on daily. Pumpkin spice may be back, but it’s still summer here.
So here’s the iced.
Same method as the hot latte, but made with the pumpkin milk mixture chilled and served over cold double-brewed coffee.
The secret to delicious iced coffee? Coffee ice cubes. One of those things that’s so simple, yet no one ever thinks of it. Me included. But when I do remember, it’s on point.
I like to make my coffee ice cubes with mostly coffee and a splash of almond milk so it doesn’t throw off the coffee-to-almond-milk ratio when they melt. I guess you could call me anal.
This particular iced coffee blend is half double-strength coffee, half pumpkin spiced almond milk. I don’t usually sweeten my drinks, but I prefer this one with a splash of maple syrup or Torani Hazlenut coffee syrup. The hazelnut flavor is perfect with the cloves and cinnamon. Mmmmmmm.
Hint: use mason jars to make your iced coffees and you can make them all at once and store them in the fridge for the perfect grab-n-go treat.
Optionally topped with vegan maple whipped cream.
Also optional? Making a giant mess.
I was trying to make a third jar of iced coffee to even things out. Didn’t go so well. Oh well.
Coffee Talk
A few things for you to peruse while you sip your morning coffee:
I’m shared The WHYs & HOWs of Foam Rolling on The Lean Green Bean.
Think you don’t have time to exercise? Stop making excuses and figure out how to make exercising at home work for you on Food, Fitness, & Family.
Are you an avid fish oil supplement taker? You might want to read this new study. I still need a little more evidence before I stop believing in them, but this just shows yet again that whole foods are best. 
Any good reads lately?
Recipe
Are you ready for some absolute blasphemy?
I hate Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
Everybody waits all year for them, and when the come out, all you hear is “pumpkin spice latte-this” and “PSL-that”. And no, it doesn’t make it any better if you abbreviate it.
I see the irony, considering my overuse of pumpkin and my undying love of all things coffee, but put the two together and disaster strikes.
So while most people would have been beyond thrilled to see this giant bottle of pumpkin pie spice syrup at their door, I was not.
I’m not easily discouraged though. Lattes weren’t the only thing pumpkin spice was made for. While I did find the syrup is pretty delicious in Apple Cider tea, I found an even better use.
A pumpkin milkshake. A fall flavored frozen beverage? Yeah. It’s 70 degrees out. I’m still drinking iced chai tea lattes, so I think milkshakes are still justified.
Pumpkin Spice Milkshake
-
1
cup
vanilla ice cream {dairy or non dairy}
-
1/2
cup
almond milk {or regular}
-
1/4
cup
pumpkin puree
-
2
Tbsp
Torani sugar free pumpkin pie syrup
-
Place all ingredients in blender and blend.
-
Adjust consistency by adding more or less milk.
Along with the pumpkin pie spice syrup, there was a huge bottle of Torani’s hazelnut syrup in my package. Now that I was excited about. {Although I do wish it were sugar free.}
It’s been in my coffee cup every morning since it’s arrival. Perfect timing too- I’d just run out of my teeny tiny bottle of caramel syrup.
There’s plenty of ways to make coffee-shop quality beverages at home, but if you really want them to taste barista-made, try some of Torani’s syrups. I had no idea how many flavors they had- oh the possibilities.
My favorite Starbucks’ drink is the cinnamon dolce latte, so I’m thinking the sugar free brown sugar cinnamon or cinnamon vanilla is somewhere in my future- seems close enough. Or maybe the peppermint so I can get in the holiday spirit. Although I do make a mean homemade peppermint simple syrup.
With tons of seasonal flavors available, I say bring on the holidays!
You can read my reviews of the syrups on SheSpeaks here: Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie and Hazelnut Syrup.
A big thanks to SheSpeaks for providing me with some pre-holiday cheer with Torani’s syrups. Another thanks to SheSpeaks for providing not only a 10% of coupon for Torani, but 5 coupons for full size bottles of Torani syrup.
And because I’m a nice person, I’m passing those on to you.
Tell me what flavor syrup you’d get with your coupon and what you’d make with it for a chance to win! I’ll pick 2 winners, so your chances are good! 
