DIY Starbucks Drinks

Since Starbucks arrived on the scene in 1971, it has become a huge part of American culture. Starbucks began in Seattle, Washington, selling high-quality coffee beans and equipment used to make coffee. At first, you couldn't buy brewed coffee and other drinks at Starbucks. In fact, it wasn't until 1987 that Starbucks changed hands and the new owner rebranded it to be a coffeehouse. Slowly over the next decades, Starbucks expanded and grew into the huge company it is today. Even if you don't drink coffee, there are many different Starbucks drinks on the menu that include teas, smoothies, juices, and, of course, coffee. You can also make delicious Starbucks-inspired drinks at home. Try traditional and even healthier versions of popular Starbucks drinks to find your new favorite.

A "Starbucks habit" can be expensive. The good news is that you can make delicious copycat Starbucks drinks at home with only basic kitchen equipment and a few ingredients. Some people like to buy flavored syrups, but it's also easy enough to make your own flavored syrups such as vanilla, caramel, mocha, coconut, and more. You can make hot coffee, tea drinks, and frothy frozen drinks that will help you cool off on a hot day. If you opt for a frozen drink, you'll need a powerful blender to make your beverage smooth and thick. Many people also like to add xanthan gum to a frozen drink, because it helps create a thick and creamy texture.

Seasonal drinks are a huge hit for those who love Starbucks. In the fall, pumpkin spice lattes can be an expensive habit. But, you can make your own latte at home using pumpkin puree, coffee, frothed milk, pumpkin pie spice, and whipped cream. Peppermint mocha and eggnog lattes are other seasonal drinks that many people wait for every year. During the summer, it's always great to cool off with an iced tea or coffee drink. Cold brew drinks are a recent trend that many people enjoy, but you might also like to explore some of the seasonal cold tea drinks on the Starbucks menu. Tea lemonades come in bright colors with bold flavors, and it's easy to recreate these drinks in your own kitchen.

If you're looking for low carb, low sugar, and low-fat Starbucks drinks, you can easily make these healthier beverages at home, too. Make your own flavored syrups and sauces using dates or a sugar alternative, such as coconut sugar. Skip the dairy and choose a milk alternative, like almond or coconut milk. You can also make a dairy-free whipped cream alternative using canned coconut cream, sweetening it with stevia or xylitol. "Skinny" frozen drinks are easier than you might think, and these beverages can be just as tasty and satisfying as the higher fat, high-sugar standard Starbucks drinks. A couple of shots of cold espresso, some ice cubes, non-dairy milk alternative, and sugar-free sweeteners are the main ingredients in these healthier frozen drinks. You can also get creative if you want to infuse flavors like mint, raspberry, coconut, almond, mocha, or vanilla. Sugar-free flavored syrups are easy to keep on hand for blending up cold and satisfying frozen drinks.