Spice It Up

Hey laaaaaaaadies! I know I was AWOL last week - I could not pull my shit together to put together any posts with the chaos of moving and everything. My bronchial cough is still hanging on, too, but I feel much better! So, without further ado, why don't I show you how to save some cash at Starbucks (and, no, TT, it's not because I'm going to tell you something horrible about chai, stop worrying!). I'm going to show you how to make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte.

I realize this is a departure for Thirsty Thursdays, but I also saw most of you going nuts for these on Twitter, and I am also a fan, so I thought this would be appropriate. My friend Jayla (not the Twi ChefJayla, but a different girl I know, equally awesome) figured out how to make the seasonal latte we all know and love and was kind enough to share her recipe. It's not exactly the same, but has the added benefit of being healthier (due to the healthy, vitamin-rich pumpkin involved) and MUCH cheaper (provided you're going to make enough to warrant buying the ingredients). So here we go.

It looks so easy...

...and we have all the stuff...

This is how I make espresso - with the aid of my Tassimo and my helpful 'lets, who have agreed to assist because I've been ill and moving and this has no Twilight relation for them to resent.

1 cup milk

I prefer to heat my milk on the stovetop, but you can use the microwave, too.

We don't want to burn it!

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (you can also blend your own)

1 Tablespoon pumpkin

1-2 Tablespoons sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)

Don't forget the coffee!

I'm using one shot - you can do more (I usually do two, but we just had the one pod)

Once the milk is warm, add the pumpkin...

...and the spices and sugar...

...and invest in one of these if you don't have one (because they're amazingly useful).

Stick it in and pulse (that's what she said)

You want to make sure everything is blended and frothy

I put the espresso in the cup first (like the baristas)

And carefully add the hot milk mixture

Cheers!!

Mmmm... smooth, spicy, and deliciously autumnal. If you haven't had a pumpkin spice latte, you're missing out. Being able to make them at home, I save a bunch of money each Fall, because otherwise I'd be at Starbucks for my fix, shelling out $5 at least twice a week.

WIN!
And: you're welcome. :)

Stay tuned for a future lesson in how to make a chai cider... and then how to booze it up, if you're so inclined. Chai cider is my other Fall staple. YUM. Enjoy!!

And tell me: what is your favorite Fall treat?

It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity. I bet this kind of thing does not happen to heroin addicts. I bet that when serious heroin addicts go to purchase their heroin, they do not tolerate waiting in line while some dilettante in front of them orders a hazelnut smack-a-cino with cinnamon sprinkles. ~Dave Barry