Fellow Frappuccino Lovers

I receive a daily email from Everyday Cheapskate from Mary Hunt (one of my favorite frugal inspirations). The original email contained other excellent icy drinks, you can see it HERE. You can sign up for it and see other issues by clicking HERE. I, personally, use French Vanilla coffee, which gives it a delightful vanilla flavor. I've not braved into other flavors, but others would likely be great too. The great thing is that I can buy fresh grounds at the grocery store for $7 a pound!

Almost Starbucks Frappuccino

3 ounces hot espresso*
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups milk (low-fat is okay)
1 tablespoon dry pectin** (Starbucks' secret ingredient)
1 cup ice
whipped cream (optional)

Stir the sugar into the hot espresso. Allow to cool. Stir the milk and pectin into the espresso mixture until dissolved. Fill a glass with ice and pour the mixture over, or pour the ingredients plus ice into the blender and process on "frappe" for 30 to 45 seconds. Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream. Yield: four 6-ounce servings.

*If you do not have an espresso maker, brew double-strength coffee by doubling the amount of grinds. Starbucks uses Italian Roast.
**Look for pectin (used in home canning to thicken jams and jellies) in the grocery store's baking (or canning) aisle.

I don't get 4 servings (imagine that!), only 2. I make it every other day, save the extra one for the next morning! It's just as yummy on day 2!