Ah, the aroma of coffee brewing. Is there anything more satisfying? Now you can make your own freshly brewed coffee-house favorites right in your own kitchen, without loads of processed sugar, sodium and artificial flavors.
First things first, choose organic coffee
Not all coffees are created equal. So, if you’re not drinking organic, then you could be enjoying a mouthful of chemically treated beans that were steeped in synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. The U.S. can’t regulate the number of pesticides used in foreign countries. So, consuming non-organic coffee on a regular basis could be risky for your health.
Use mineral water
If you want to add creaminess to your coffee without adding fattening creamers loaded with artificial flavors, try mineral water. Mineral water is rich in calcium, thanks to the lactate component, which adds creaminess and zero calories.
Artificial flavors trick the body
When it comes to coffee shop favorites, one of the biggest concerns is artificial flavoring. Many popular fraps, caps and lattes contain artificial flavors. Sadly, artificial flavors are designed to trick your body and brain into thinking that what you’re tasting is actually what you are eating.
Thousands of carefully combined chemicals come together to create natural flavorings. All of these flavorings are perfected to trick the taste buds, while also triggering pleasure sensors in your brain. As a result, you’ll continue to crave these foods, and continue to return to that coffee shop on the corner for more of those flavor-enhanced brews. Thus, you’ll be consuming more and more refined sugar.
Hack your coffee with real flavorings like cinnamon and vanilla. In fact, by adding natural flavorings you can even reduce or eliminate the sugar altogether. These two ingredients will trick your brain into thinking you are consuming something sweet, since they’re normally associated with sweet desserts.
Too much sugar hidden in your coffee
Too much sugar turns into inflammation. Although the goal of inflammation is to defend the body against bacteria and viruses and help repair damaged tissue, it also influences the formation of artery-blocking clots. And, too much inflammation is the ultimate cause of heart attacks and many strokes, according to Harvard Health. Suddenly that expensive cup of coffee isn’t looking so good.
According to the Washington Post, Americans consume an average of 126 grams of sugar per day! That’s more sugar consumed than any other country in the world! One large coffee shop drink can contain 50 grams of sugar. If you choose to add a flavored syrup, you’ll be adding five more grams of sugar with each pump. But if you make your own version, you can use all-natural sweeteners like raw honey, maple syrup, dates or stevia. Plus, you can incorporate real flavors from real food and create your own vegan version as well.
Vanilla Flavored Coffee Creamer
We all love a little sweetness in our morning cup of Joe, but coffee without sugar is always best. Here’s how to make your own vanilla flavored coffee creamer:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1 1/2 cups purified water
- 1 tbsp real maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of Himalayan salt
Instructions
- Soak cashews for 2 hours, then drain and discard the soaking liquid. Rinse well.
- Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth, about 2 minutes, adding more water if necessary.
Here’s how to make your own coffeehouse favorites with all-natural ingredients:
Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Serves: 2
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups strong brewed organic coffee
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tsp organic grass-fed salted butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp raw honey (or maple syrup)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a blender and blend on high for about 15 seconds or until emulsified and frothy.
- Pour into mugs and drink immediately. Enjoy!
Spiced Pumpkin Frap
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold brewed coffee
- 1 cup whole dairy, almond or coconut milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, maple syrup and spices. Whisk well to combine.
- Pour mixture into an ice cube tray, covering lightly with plastic wrap. Freeze overnight.
- Brew cup of strong coffee. Allow it to cool in fridge.
- Pour coffee into the blender and add pumpkin cubes. Blend until smooth.
- Add additional maple syrup if required.
- Top with whipped dairy or coconut cream and cinnamon before serving. Enjoy!
Frozen Mochaccino
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed organic coffee
- 1 cup dairy milk, almond or coconut milk
- 2 tbsp unsweetened natural cocoa powder (or raw cacao)
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Dash of cinnamon
Instructions
- Pour cooled coffee in an ice cube tray and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Combine the frozen coffee cubes, milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon in blender until smooth.
- Divide between two glasses, serve with a straw and enjoy!
Salted Caramel Latte
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed organic coffee
- 1 cup dairy milk, almond or coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp salted grass-fed butter
- 1/4 cup chopped pitted dates
- Pinch of Himalayan salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until light and frothy.
- Pour evenly into two cups and enjoy!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Frap
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups strong brewed coffee, chilled
- 1 cup dairy milk, almond or coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chopped, pitted dates
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 4 ice cubes
Instructions
- Add coffee, milk, dates, cocoa powder and peanut butter to a blender.
- Pulse until well combined, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Add the ice and blend until smooth.
- Pour into two glasses and serve immediately. Sprinkle with cocoa. Enjoy!
Peppermint Mocha
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed organic coffee
- 1 cup dairy, almond or coconut milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp raw honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure peppermint extract, more if desired
Topping
- 1 cup whipped coconut cream
- Sprinkle of cocoa powder
Instructions
- Add the milk and coffee into a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add cocoa and honey.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, whisking often.
- Remove mocha from heat and add peppermint. Whisk to combine.
- Ladle in mugs and top with whipped cream and chocolate powder. Enjoy!
Vanilla Bean Latte
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed organic coffee
- 1 cup dairy milk, almond or coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla paste (or 1/2 a vanilla pod split and seeded)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 cup chopped, pitted dates
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until light and frothy.
- Pour evenly into two cups and enjoy!
Remember, don’t pour your old coffee down the drain! Instead, pour it into an ice cube tray. After freezing your coffee into cubes, you can use them for your iced coffees.
— Katherine Marko
