Caramel Apple Spice - Starbucks Copycat

This is one of my all time favorite drinks! Perfect to sip on a cold day, or any day really :) I posted awhile back about one I saw on Pinterest. It uses a slow cooker and cloves. I didn't like how the cloves didn't dissolve whatsoever. So here is the new and improved one, and so much easier!

Ingredients:
3 cups apple cider
1/2 cup brown sugar
1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
2-3 tablespoons caramel topping
whipped cream

Directions:
Bring the apple cider, brown sugar and cinnamon to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, remove from heat and stir in the caramel topping. Pour into glasses and top with whip cream. You can also add some caramel to the top for some extra flavor :)

*You don't have to use apple cider. Apple juice would be a fine substitute
** If you don't want lit bits of cinnamon in the drink, boil it with a cinnamon stick and then discard.

Wild Mountain Dew-Swig Style

Here is another drink combination that is to die for! I like this better than the Coconut Dr. Pepper. The mango syrup is also good in Sprite. Since Sprite doesn't have caffeine and not as much sugar (even though it's still high) it would be a good alternative to the Mountain Dew.

Same thing with the coconut syrup, first start out with a simple syrup and then you add mangos.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 mangos, chopped finely or blended up in a food processor or blender.


Directions:

Pour the water, sugar, and mango bites in a pan. Bring to a boil and boil for 5-7 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Once it is dissolved, remove from heat. Allow sauce to cool for 10 minutes. If desired, you can strain the mango bits and just have the syrup. However, the mango bits are soo good in the drink. They are candied up from the sugar and just add to the flavor.

 

I always store my syrup in a large mason jar and keep it in the fridge. It can last for months, but mine doesn't usually last that long.

Next, you will pour your soda in a cup and add the amount of syrup you desire. You might have to go and get some crushed ice (you know, the small circle ice) to make it taste just right ;)
After you refrigerate it, you may have to shake it before pouring to mix it all together.

Dirty Dr. Pepper-Swig Style

I posted about the swig sugar cookies a few weeks ago. I love going here for their drive through drinks. Since I have a baby, it's hard to get him in and out of a car especially in the dead heat of St. George. I love their drive through. I like to pair my sugar cookies (recipe HERE) with one of their delicious drinks! They have all the flavored syrups you could ask for that you can add to any soda. My favorites include:
Dirty Dr. Pepper (coconut syrup added to DP)
Wild Mountain Dew (mango syrup added to MD)
Mango Sprite
and I love their Italian Cream Sodas


I don't always get out and about and sometimes I crave a drink. I love to have the ingredients on hand to make these.

First, you start with a simple syrup. I like the syrup right in the middle of thick and thin. If it is too thick it wont really blend well.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1/3 cup cream of coconut (found in the drink mixing aisle)
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract


Directions:

Pour the water, sugar, and cream of coconut in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 5-7 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Once it is dissolved, remove from heat. Once the steam is gone you can add the coconut extract. If you put it in before, it will just cook out. Let cool and then pour into a jar.

I always store my syrup in a large mason jar and keep it in the fridge. It can last for months, but mine doesn't usually last that long.

Next, you will pour your soda in a cup and add the amount of syrup you desire. You might have to go and get some crushed ice (you know, the small circle ice) to make it taste just right ;)
After you refrigerate it, you may have to shake it before pouring to mix it all together.

 

You can use this soda for all drinks dirty. Make a dirty diet coke, dirty mountain dew, dirty coke, dirty root beer. Whatever you want. The possibilities are endless.

Caramel Apple Spice-Starbucks Style

I LOVE Fall. This time of year is the best! Starbuck's Caramel Apple Spice makes it that much more enjoyable. I was extremely happy when I saw a recipe going around on Pinterest. It linked me
HERE.

Ingredients:
4 cups apple cider
3 tablespoons caramel syrup
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
4 tablespoons of whipped cream (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker for 4 hours and enjoy!
I think next time I will try adding some nutmeg too.

Yummy

Strawberry Lemonade

I got this recipe from a Martha Stewart cookbook, it's delicious!

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 7 lemons)
1 pound strawberries
16 oz seltzer

Directions:
In pan, bring 2 cups water and sugar to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, 2 minutes. Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cool, about 45 minutes. Add lemon juice and stir to combine.

In a blender, puree strawberries until smooth. Pour through a strainer. I didn't do this cause I like the fruit bits. Stir in seltzer.