Sometimes to stretch your budget, you must give up luxuries. As you know, I LOVE my Starbucks–but sometimes it isn’t in the budget. Here is a simple Starbucks idea– that is even healthier!
Note: If you are sensitive to Xanthan Gum (I am!) ..You can use Guar Gum. OR completely omit it altogether– I choose to add it because it keeps the frap from separating.
- 1 cup Starbucks coffee OR 3/4 cup fresh espresso (cold)
- 3/4 cup milk ( you can use pretty much whatever you want)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar – or Stevia (you could also use sugar in the raw or agave nectar)
- 2 cups ice
- Pinch of xanthan gum OR 1 teaspoon dry pectin (keeps it from separating)
Mix and enjoy!
2 Starbucks drinks per week = $32 per month. Saving $32 per month would give you nice Christmas fund at the end of the year! 
My Name is Josie and I live in sunny Southern California and I am a stay at home mom to three beautiful boys. We all know that living in California is a task of it's own and saving in California IS possible! I started this blog mainly to share all the awesome deals out there and show others how to save in any area of life. Even though you may make the commitment to be frugal and pinch your pennies doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice!
I love this idea!!!! Will try this weekend.
Wow! I gotta try this. All I need is xanthan gum.
Where can you buy the xanthan gum
a health food store, such as Whole Foods.
I learned why my stomach gets upset after having a frapachino today. LOL it must be the xanthan gum. Hee Hee
I always thought it was the caffine. I guess my tummy is sensitive to Xanthan Gum as well. I’ll try the pectin.
Good idea
Can you use splenda or will that not work as well?
You can use whatever you like
Wow! I didn’t realize that I was missing something to hold it all together! Thanks for the great tip. I bought a Mr. Coffee espresso maker at Target on clearance for $39 last year. It gets the job done and saves me so much $! I couldnt stomach spending so much on coffee when I was spending time to save $$. I just love this site! Thanks so much!
Have you ever tried any variations by adding flavorings or creamer?
I haven’t added any Flavorings but it should do just as well with this recipe
where do u get the gum?
Shopkicks has bogo free hot drink at Target Starbucks. Just in case you’re on the road and need a little pick me up.
make your own flavored syrups with them too!
basic simple syrup recipe; equal parts water and sugar and a few tbls of flavoring
i.e. for vanilla syrup: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water. and 2 tbls of vanilla extract. (not imitation vanilla)
warm in sauce pan to dissolve sugar. remember to refrigerate, these have no preservatives. they get moldy if they’re left out.
for the caramel i used about 1/3 cup of actual caramel sauce. its amazing!
i can’t even do the math on the cost per serving on this but it sure beats buying the pricy syrups at the store or when you can’t get a good deal on those amazing coffee creamers
Thanks! That’s awesome!