Abigail Dunagan, Campus Carrier features editor
Cammie Wilks, Campus Carrier asst. features editor
There are few things that college students love more than their daily coffee; grabbing a drink at Starbucks or Java is the best part of the day for many students. The fall season marks the time of pumpkin and apple flavors galore, but these fancy drinks can quickly get expensive for students on a budget. Luckily, with a few key ingredients it is easy to make your own cozy fall beverages in your dorm room.
Before making any coffee-based drink, you will need … well, coffee. If you have an espresso or Nespresso machine, you can simply use your favorite brand of coffee in any of these recipes. If you don’t have a machine, no worries. Several brands make their own version of instant espresso that can be prepared by mixing it with water. We recommend the Café Bustelo Instant Coffee, but you can use whichever brand you prefer. Just follow the directions on the package for guidelines on the coffee to water ratio and just like that, you have your espresso ready in under 5 minutes, no machine necessary.
Iced Brown Sugar Pumpkin Latte
You will need:
Two shots of espresso
Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Brown Sugar
Milk of choice
Ice
Prepare two shots of espresso. Fill the rest of the cup with ice and milk. Pour in a splash of the Torani syrup and add roughly two teaspoons of brown sugar. Stir ingredients and enjoy.
Iced Cookie Butter Latte
You will need:
Two shots of espresso
Coffee Mate Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Creamer
Milk of choice
Brown sugar
Ice
With this coffee creamer, it’s easy to make your own rendition of Dunkin’s popular cookie butter latte. Simply prepare the espresso and fill the cup 2/3 of the way with milk and ice. Use the creamer to fill up the rest of the cup, and top off with a spoonful of brown sugar. The milk prevents the sweetness of the creamer from overpowering the drink, but you can adjust these measurements to preference.
Make your own cold foam
Cold foam is a popular addition to drinks at coffee shops; the creamy topping can elevate any drink, but coffee chains charge from $1 to $1.25 for this add on. You can save money by purchasing a pre-made cold foam, like the one from International Delight for $5.
Cold foam is very easy to make if you are willing to invest in the right tools. All you need is an electric milk frother which can range in price from $5 – $15. Add a splash of heavy whipping cream with a splash of your favorite coffee creamer and froth for 10 seconds. You can also try mixing a coffee syrup of choice with milk to make your own flavors. The heavy whipping cream will froth to a foamy texture, but be sure to dilute it with either milk or creamer so that the texture mixes in with the coffee.
Peppermint Hot-Cocoa
You will need:
Hot Cocoa Powder
Milk/Water
Crushed Peppermint
Hot cocoa is a holiday classic to prepare for a transition to Christmas, and peppermint hot cocoa is perfect for those who want to celebrate early. Hot chocolate powder can be bought at the store in large packs for very cheap. Pick between milk and water, and then mix with hot cocoa powder and heat it up. Though water is more convenient, milk tastes much better. Finally, find some crushed peppermint and put it on the hot chocolate. You can also add other toppings, such as marshmallows or whipped cream. Get creative!
Pumpkin Chai Latte
You will need:
Tazo chai concentrate
Milk of choice
Ice (optional)
There’s a brand called Tazo that makes chai tea. They have different flavors, and even a pumpkin spice latte flavor. Pour the concentrate in the cup and mix it with milk. Heat or add ice and enjoy. You can also add pumpkin coffee syrup for a fall-flavored version, or you can add your own cold foam.