Category Archives: Drinks

Pumpkin Spice Latte

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In keeping with the fall and pumpkin theme, I’ve been making my own pumpkin lattes at home. and have been quite satisfied with the outcome. At first, I was just dumping the spices into the cup and mixing it all together. This morning, I tried something different and liked it even better. I now put the spices IN the milk before steaming it. It seems by having them in there while the milk is steaming, the flavor infuses in the milk better.

If you have an espresso maker at home, you should try it sometime! And think of all the money you’ll save by not going to your local coffee shop to spend the $3.50+ to buy one. And it technically takes about the same amount of time to drive, park, order, pay, wait, pick up, walk out , etc that it would if you made it at home, so don’t use the ‘time’ excuse on me. ;)

  • 1 1/4 c milk (I use fat free)
  • 1 t pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 t cinnamon
  • 2 t sweetener of your choice (sugar, splenda, agave nectar, etc)
  • 1 shot expresso

Place the sweetener in your coffee mug. Steam the milk with the pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon together. Once the milk is steamed, brew your shot of espresso. Pour the espresso into your cup and stir together with the sweetener until it is dissolved. Add your milk. Drink!

White Moussey Hot Chocolate

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I mentioned in my Pound Cupcakes with White Chocolate and Cranberry Mousses post that the recipe has quite a few leftover components. I was trying to figure out what to do with it all and I got creative. I found the perfect solution to use up all your leftover white chocolate mousse – White Hot Chocolate. I’m calling it “White Moussey Hot Chocolate”. It’s delicious!

White Moussey Hot Chocolate

  • Steam 8oz milk with a espresso/latte machine (I recommend a 1 or 2% so it’s not too rich. You can also heat it in the microwave for about 2 minutes.)
  • Add about 1/4 cup white chocolate mousse and stir well. (If it’s not warm enough for your preference, you may pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute)
  • Top with whipped cream and some white chocolate curls.

Unfortunately, I drank mine up much too quickly to get a good photo, myself. Image above from here.

Recipes for a Great Dinner Party

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I had a small dinner party at my house Saturday and we had a fabulous time. But, of course, the main highlights (for me anyway) were all the amazing flavors in the food. I thought I’d take a few minutes to share with you, my faithful readers.

If you don’t want to try all of them, there are two you MUST try: Tomato Olive Butter and the Strawberry Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese. Don’t ask questions. Just do it! (I even moved them to the top of the post so you could get to them easier.)

Enjoy!!!

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A Favorite Tea

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African Sunrise from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

I discovered this tea on my 2nd to last business trip. I’d heard many things about these coffee and tea shops scattered mostly around southern California, so I decided to try it. There was one just around the corner from my hotel, so the next morning, I got up a bit early to get some coffee or tea on my way into the office.

I was surprised to see such a wide variety of “tea lattes” on their menu. I’m very familiar with the Chai Latte that can be found at pretty much every coffee/tea shop around, but the others were interesting. I asked the man behind the counter for his recommendation. He suggested a new tea they had just received called “African Sunrise”. Always up for something new, I agreed.

It was amazing. It has a lovely vanilla flavor with touches of citrus. To be exact, the label says, “Naturally caffeine free, this full-bodied blend of African honeybush and orange peel has a sweet vanilla flavor with a hint of citrus.” With a bit of sweetener and milk or cream, it’s to die for. I even bought myself a box of tea bags to bring home with me.


Not only do the leaves look pretty, but also it brews into the most interesting color. It’s slightly purple with a hint of orange tones. Quite lovely to look at. You should try it if you get a chance.