As some of you know, I recently switched schools and now work where the boys go. Moving was a hard decision, and my pro/con list looked something like this:
Pros
4 minute drive to work
Be on the same campus as my boys
Have lunch with Michael on work days
My classroom would be bigger
Cons
Nowhere to stop for coffee on the drive to work
—
Yup. That was the only con.
Just kidding.
(I was super sad to leave the amazing people at my other school. Hi guys!)
It’s funny that coffee was an issue for me…
-I only drink coffee 2-3 times per week (I work 2 days a week).
-Until this month, I never made my own.
-I don’t know how to use my coffee maker (I bought it for company).
-I like to drink what I call “girly coffee” (blended or iced, and always with caramel, chocolate, or peanut butter).
I was bummed that I wouldn’t have that fanciness when starting my day at work after switching schools.
Why?
Because we live in the middle of nowhere.
25 minutes from the nearest coffee shop.
But then? Then I found Via.
Iced Via.
*cue angels singing*
I should also mention that I am saving a bundle of money, too.
The wonderful woman behind the Starbucks counter taught me how to make my own Iced Caramel Coffee.
I perfected the recipe.
And now, my friends, I am passing my recipe on to you.
May I present…
Becca’s Amazingly Amazing Cheap {and oh-so-yummy} Iced Caramel Coffee
It has a ring to it, right?
You’ll need:
Starbucks Via Iced Coffee packets ($5.95 for 5 packets. Each packet makes 2 servings)
Starbucks Caramel Syrup ($10ish for one bottle)
Milk
Ice
Cold water
Directions
Each packet has 2 tblsp. of powder in it. I measure out 1 tblsp. and put it in my drink shaker (a.k.a. Martini shaker).
Add 8 oz. cold water
And 1 tblsp. caramel syrup. (More or less to taste, of course)
Mix it all together in your fancy shaker and pour over ice. I’m telling you – starting your day with something from a martini shaker makes all the difference in the world.
Add milk to taste – extra cool points if you have one of the hard to find reusuable Starbucks cups.
Yum.
I picked up coffee for a friend the other day at Starbucks and order an iced caramel coffee and honestly?
It wasn’t nearly as good.
And it cost twice as much.
{you’re welcome}
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG you are amazing! Thank you! I’m hitting Starbucks this week for the materials – I might get vanilla syrup though.
I’ve been adding half of a Starbucks VIA (the hot kind) to our really weak work coffee… works like a charm!
Chelsea´s last [type] ..WILTW
I like your idea. In the summer I use leftover morning coffee for iced coffee in the afternoon. Caramel syrup, yum. Great photos, too!
Margaret´s last [type] ..Does your husband add value
Hugs, kisses, hugs, kisses! All of them to you!
Thank you so much for this post! IT ROCKS!!
Both my teen girls and I are not big coffee drinkers (we like the FANCY stuff like you)!!
But…we don’t have time to run to McDonald’s for a frappe and we don’t have a 5bucks in our bumpkin town. So…this is thrilling!
I have to pick up some of that mixer!
My girls are students at the same high school where I work. My oldest (son) is in college!
It’s fun being with your kids all day. I love it!
I would call it a PRO too! :)
Wanda´s last [type] ..The day Mama went crazy at the Colts game!
Nooooooooooo way. I never ever dreamed you would ever be coffee sorta gal. I am soooo making this!!!! And now I need a martini shaker because I really love the idea of starting my day off like that. ;)
Yum!!!! I gotta try that! I gotta say as I was scrolling down I saw the top of the Caramel bottle and got excited thinking it was Kahlua or something! Oh well, still can’t wait to try it!
Christina´s last [type] ..School Preparations
Oh yeah! Noah loves Via! We have the regular and iced at home. I’ll have to pick up some of their caramel syrup… sounds sooo good!! And seriously, a martini shaker drink, first thing in the morning…LOVE IT!
Do you think we might be able to use Kalua instead of milk?
OK Christine – so I spelled Kahlua wrong, But I can’t believe we had the same idea. That was one way I would star my xmas and thanksgiving days-coffee with kahlua instead of milk in my coffee. So, I think we can start a new trend – tomorrow morning – I will be so freakin happy at work they won’t know what hit me (or them).
Haha I’m in Gramma Teetsie!!!
Christina´s last [type] ..School Preparations
Becca,
I have never been on this page before, I love it!!! Mainly because I am still learning to navigate the Internet. Thank you for the Iced Coffee idea, I saw those Via things the last time I stopped at Starbucks, I will definitely have to give this a try. I hope all is going well with you and the family. Keep in touch.
If I drank coffee I’d totally do this! I’ve got to figure out something I can have in my martini shaker first thing in the morning. Diet dr pepper just doesn’t seem right. ;)
Sounds so yummy! Thank you!
I LOVE THIS POST. I’ma go get me soma dat!!!!
Amy´s last [type] ..A potty training guest post by Laura
Too sweet! Too sweet! Just kidding :) I love black coffee, the darker the better. Glad you found a good recipe though :)
Alysa @ InspiredRD.com´s last [type] ..Guest posting on Healthy Moms Kitchen today
I loved this recipe! I didn’t have caramel syrup, but I added some chocolate malt powder and it was DELICIOUS! It was almost like a caramel mocha type of drink! Thanks so much for the wonderful recipe!
Thanks so much for posting this. I was looking for a way to make my white mocha, soy iced coffees at home. There is not a Starbucks convenient for my drive work. :-(. I have also used day old, chilled coffee with soy and white mocha.