My Not-So-Guilty Pleasure

There's a certain fast-food restaurant that has started serving their own line of coffee drinks. Now, I'm not one to buy fancy coffee drinks very often. The way I figure it, $3 for a cup of coffee isn't the best stewardship of our money. This particular restaurant offers free samples of their new beverages each Monday, and they also sent me a coupon for a free full size mocha or latte.

The morning we left for vacation, King J and I stopped in for breakfast. We used the coupon for the free latte. I discovered it was not a beverage I care to drink. Princess E, on the other hand, was beside herself. She thought it delicious.

Then, we stopped in one day for lunch while we were on vacation. It happened to be a Monday, so we decided to try the free sample of the mocha. Oh my! This drink is soooo good, I knew I'd want more. Given how much Princess E liked it, I'd be out $6 ever time we splurged. Not gonna happen.

Lucky for me, I watched them make the mocha. I decided to try my hand at them from home. Frankly, it wasn't that difficult. I just had never made them before. Now, Princess E and I can enjoy one nearly every day. I made this one today. Mmmmmm.....



Here's how I made them. I let the morning coffee cool. We grind our own beans, and prefer a dark roasted colombian bean. The stronger flavor is perfect for this. Anyway, I squirt a little dark-chocolate syrup into the bottom of the glass, just enough to coat the bottom. Then, I fill the glass about halfway with crushed ice. I add about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the cooled coffee, and a couple of tablespoons of half-and-half. On top goes a swirl of whipped cream, with a dribble or two more of the chocolate syrup. Insert a straw and enjoy. Give it a try sometime and see if you like it.

**Yes, we do allow Princess E to drink a little coffee. When she was much younger, caffeine was part of her medication protocol, so she tolerates it well in reasonable quantities. We do have to allow her to enjoy it as an early afternoon snack, though.