Wednesday, July 20, 2016

More Summer Drinks: Stawberry Cider Slushie and Toasted Coconut Almond Coffee Frappucino

So last week we had the tea based drinks. This week is something different.

Originally I was going to show you how to make a strawberry cider slushie. My daughter and I saw the guy from the orchard selling these at the farmer's market. I was a tad suspicious, but it really was delicious. A bit sweet, but we split one so it was fine.


I could have bought strawberry apple cider at the farmer's market, but it was a really hot day and I didn't want to buy it and have it go bad because it wasn't on ice all day. I bought strawberries and planned to buy cider at my local fruit store.





Wrong!


Alas, it is not cider season and I couldn't find any cider to use.

So, you'll have to settle for the picture and the idea.

BUT!!!!!

I found this recipe and it looks like an awesome treat to make in the fall - maybe on one of those Indian Summer days.

Apple Cider Slushie at home

But I didn't want to leave  you with nothing, so I have another treat to share.

I used to love Coconut Mocha Frappucinos. I was very sad when Starbucks took them off the seasonal menu. :(

But I have something that tastes just (almost) as good and is only 45 calories!

Our supermarket was having a sale on the Califia Farms Almond milk so I bought the no sugar added toasted coconut flavor. Add that to some iced coffee, and ice cubes and you've got heaven for 45 calories. I also added a handful of cacao nibs which gave it a nice extra boost (plus they are really healthy).

The story in pictures.













I also have a new favorite drink this week to keep me cool and writing.

I bought some coffee beans on Sunday from our local shop - Vanilla Hazelnut Creme. I used them to make a cold brew.

Note: I do NOT recommend mixing the toasted coconut with the vanilla hazelnut.  Just no.



The flavor of the coffee is so amazing that I can just add a little brewed coffee, a little milk and alot of ice and water and keep refilling all day. Because I'm diluting it so much, the caffeine kick is just like having about a cup or maybe two. The flavor stays strong because I used good fresh beans. YUM!





15 comments:

  1. Coconut Mocha Frap. Now you are singing my song!!!!

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  2. Cate, you always amaze me with your interesting recipes. I don't care for my coffee sweetened, so probably wouldn't try this, but I think Hubby would love it. Thanks.

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    1. Hi Sandra, it's actually not not sweetened. That's why I liked it. I use the unsweetened almond milk. I don't put any sweetener in my coffee or tea. Funny since I have such a sweet tooth in other things.

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  3. You're making me thirsty...and oddly longing for the cooler days of autumn and apple cider. LOL I will not wish away the summer! But I might slushy it away. I'm having fun blitzing various fresh fruits with ice cubes and coming up with yummy cold goodness. Can't wait until peaches are in season. Yum.

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    1. Peach slushies? That sounds pretty fantastic.

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  4. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I some people who will love this! My middle son tells me he "likes coffee in things." He'll make a cup of mocha to have with his breakfast (a package of hot chocolate mix in a cup of coffee), so he might enjoy this alternative on these hot days. :)

    I'll stick to non-coffee alternatives...like mint tea on ice. Mmmmm!

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    1. Jan, we tease my husband that he likes some coffee with his milk and sugar.

      I have done that with hot chocolate. Yum!

      I do love tea, but for some reason the acid in tea bothers me exponentially more than coffee does. Sad me.

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  5. Serious yum. I have been meaning to try that brand of almond milk too.

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  6. Serious yum. I have been meaning to try that brand of almond milk too.

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  7. The coffee ideas are seriously yummo. I've been meaning to try that brand of almond milk. Do you like it best?

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  8. I do, Julie, but I really liked their coffee creamer. I bought the unsweetened creamer because it has a richer, thicker consistency than almond mil so it actually makes a dent in the coffee.

    I'm really looking forward to trying their new one -
    http://www.califiafarms.com/products/coffee-creamer/original-better-half-creamer

    I think it's a take-off on half and half. Sadly, I haven't seen it anywhere but on their website yet.

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  9. Correction!!!!!

    Since I was on their website looking for a link for you, I did a search. Apparently my Whole Foods now sells the better-half creamer (which also comes in an unsweetened variety).

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  10. Oh, this looks delicious and not just because it's 95F here today. I haven't really broken out the frozn drinks here yet. We've had the mostly lovely weather: about 65 or 70F with a light breeze. PERFECT. But it's heating up, as it always does. :)

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  11. My daughter got some of that coconut almond milk. She thought it was a little too tropical to use for cereal. :)

    Your drinks sound yummy!

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