Other than my morning cup of joe (like one of these iced coffee recipes, yum), I tend to drink water. But when the heat is on, I find myself craving lemonade, frosty coffee drinks, and other summer coolers. I can down icy drinks from Starbucks and Jamba Juice all of the time, which can add up. So instead of hitting the coffee house, I recently found copycat recipes for a few of my favorites that use more whole ingredients and a lot less money. -Stacie
My number one summer drink treat: a Frappuccino from Starbucks. This copycat Mocha Frappuccino recipe from Alice of Savory Sweet Life (above)
hits the spot! Plus, these are fun to make and when you do it at home
you can control the amount sugar and flavor (ahem, calories).
Love Starbucks, but don't feel like coffee? Maybe you're a fan of the shaken ice teas like I am. My fave is the Green Tea Lemonade--so I had to create a recipe myself! Though I love the original, it can be a little sweet for me. Making it at home allows me to keep it tart but you can perfect your own to taste. All you need is sugar, a green tea bag, and lemon juice.
Blended coffee drinks and lemonades can be deceptively high in sugar and calories. While it doesn't stop me from enjoying them from time to time (a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do), I try to hit the smoothie joint more frequently than the coffee house, and say away from the 500-calorie options. These copycat Jamba Juice recipes look amazing and make use of all the delicious summer fruit available right now. And if you want even more smoothie goodness, check out our 8 must-try smoothie recipes.
Orange Julius is still around (who knew!), but I associate the frothy orange drink with trips to the mall in the 1980's. (What? I'm from Jersey!) Every once and a while I bring back the totally rad times with this copycat Orange Julius recipe.There's also a sugar-free Orange Julius recipe by Robyn at Add a Pinch (pictured) which really is just as tasty, and keeps the kids--and, um, me--from a crazy sugar high.
Any New Yorker--or any one who has ever visited--probably has a fondness for the Frozen Hot Chocolates from Serendipity III. While you can now buy the packets to DIY at home, you can also go with a totally homemade version. This Frrrozen Hot Chocolate recipe from Girl Cooks World is a super chocolatey, icy treat that's surprisingly easy to make at home. This is a major sugar and chocolate high in the making, but eh, live a little. Or just serve it with six straws.
Love Starbucks, but don't feel like coffee? Maybe you're a fan of the shaken ice teas like I am. My fave is the Green Tea Lemonade--so I had to create a recipe myself! Though I love the original, it can be a little sweet for me. Making it at home allows me to keep it tart but you can perfect your own to taste. All you need is sugar, a green tea bag, and lemon juice.
Blended coffee drinks and lemonades can be deceptively high in sugar and calories. While it doesn't stop me from enjoying them from time to time (a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do), I try to hit the smoothie joint more frequently than the coffee house, and say away from the 500-calorie options. These copycat Jamba Juice recipes look amazing and make use of all the delicious summer fruit available right now. And if you want even more smoothie goodness, check out our 8 must-try smoothie recipes.
Orange Julius is still around (who knew!), but I associate the frothy orange drink with trips to the mall in the 1980's. (What? I'm from Jersey!) Every once and a while I bring back the totally rad times with this copycat Orange Julius recipe.There's also a sugar-free Orange Julius recipe by Robyn at Add a Pinch (pictured) which really is just as tasty, and keeps the kids--and, um, me--from a crazy sugar high.
Any New Yorker--or any one who has ever visited--probably has a fondness for the Frozen Hot Chocolates from Serendipity III. While you can now buy the packets to DIY at home, you can also go with a totally homemade version. This Frrrozen Hot Chocolate recipe from Girl Cooks World is a super chocolatey, icy treat that's surprisingly easy to make at home. This is a major sugar and chocolate high in the making, but eh, live a little. Or just serve it with six straws.
