Make your own brand-name cool drinks
Craving iced drinks now that temperatures are rising? You don't have to make a special trip to a restaurant or coffee shop to get popular summertime beverages.
It's easier than you think to make your own Frappuccinos, Slurpees, and Jamba Juice-like smoothies at home. Of course, you won't be able to create exact replicas of these trademarked specialties. But we've found recipes for some pretty satisfying alternatives that taste delicious and are much easier on your wallet.
Craving iced drinks now that temperatures are rising? You don't have to make a special trip to a restaurant or coffee shop to get popular summertime beverages.
It's easier than you think to make your own Frappuccinos, Slurpees, and Jamba Juice-like smoothies at home. Of course, you won't be able to create exact replicas of these trademarked specialties. But we've found recipes for some pretty satisfying alternatives that taste delicious and are much easier on your wallet.
Plus you'll know exactly what's in these drinks and can tinker with the ingredients if you want to make low-fat or other types of adjustments.
Here are five recipes to get you started. Please share others in the comments below.
Frappuccino
Ingredients:
¾ cup double-strength coffee, cold
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 cup low-fat milk
2 cups ice
3 tablespoons caramel topping
Whipped cream
Chocolate syrup
Directions from Group Recipes
Iced mocha
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
1 cup double espresso or very strong coffee, hot
¼ cup milk (you can also use skim, reduced fat, or half and half)
4 ice cubes
Directions from the Food Network
Jamba Juice-style strawberries wild smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup apple juice
1 cup frozen strawberry
½ cup frozen banana
1 cup non-fat vanilla frozen yogurt or vanilla soy yogurt
½ cup ice
Directions from RecipeZaar
Cherry Slurpee
Ingredients:
2 cups club soda, chilled
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon Kool-Aid cherry powdered drink mix
½ teaspoon maraschino cherry juice or cherry extract
2 ½ cups crushed ice
Directions from RecipeZarr
Thai iced tea
Ingredients:
6 cups water
1 cup Thai tea
¾ cup sugar
6 tablespoons cream
6 tablespoons condensed milk
Directions courtesy of Emeril Lagasse
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