Disclosure: Product links shared in this post are affiliate links, which means you get an exclusive discount or pay the normal price depending on the site, and I receive a commission for recommending things I believe in! Win-win💖
Pregnancy cravings brought me to the Starbucks line, where I shelled out at $5 (in 2021, more like $6-7 now!) for a Matcha Latte or Peppermint Mocha more times than I’d like to admit. While it satisfied my sweet tooth, it wasn’t doing any favors for my budget—or my health! Those drinks are often packed with sugar, caffeine, and other questionable ingredients, not ideal for me or the baby.
Determined to find a healthier and more affordable alternative, I decided to create my own frothy drinks at home. Enter the Milk Frother & Hot Chocolate Maker—a true game changer!
Adjusting to homemade drinks took a bit of getting used to, especially when it came to flavor and texture. My first matcha latte wasn’t as frothy or sweet as Starbucks, but it was tasty enough to keep me from going back.
Aware of the sugar in Starbucks’ drinks, I started with vanilla soy milk for my lattes. It’s the type I’d order from Starbucks, which adds to the sweetness. I knew I could work my way down to unsweetened milk eventually. My immediate goal was simply to switch to homemade, even if it meant compromising on sugar content initially. Sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do.
Spoiler Alert! I was able to switch to unsweetened almond milk—without missing the barista-made drinks at all! Here’s the recipe I follow:
Matcha Latte
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp matcha powder (ensure only matcha, without added sugar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup (bonus if it’s local, and even better if you gradually reduce the sweetener!)
Pour everything into the frother jug, hit the button once, and wait for it to finish. I eyeball most ingredients except the matcha to manage caffeine intake, even if it means filling beyond the max line occasionally.
For my Peppermint Mocha alternative, I discovered that the only difference from a Peppermint Hot Chocolate is the espresso. Since I wasn’t after caffeine, I found a deliciously healthy hot chocolate recipe on Pinterest:
Healthy Hot Chocolate
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp raw cacao powder (not cocoa powder)
- 1-3 dashes of cinnamon
- A pinch of sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup
Pour into the frother jug, press the button twice, and enjoy!
These recipes transformed my daily ritual into a healthier, more satisfying experience. Plus, it’s easier on the wallet! Whether you’re navigating pregnancy cravings or simply seeking a better brew, these homemade drinks can be your perfect cup of comfort.
If you loved this blog, you’ll love this checklist I made just for you — Exhausted to Energized: 5 Ways Single Moms Can Boost Their Energy Naturally. Let me know what you think!
xo, Mary