After much researching to find what I can have and how I can still have my Starbucks everyday not just during the Holidays, I have found a way to survive and not completely fall of the wagon and trhough away all my hard work out the window!
SO HERE IS HOW YOU CAN SURVIVE and still have your holiday drinks!
RULE #1 SIZE DOWN
I know that it seems like you just NEED to have the venti size because you're so so tired, but here's the deal, there is no difference in the amount of coffee you get between a grande and a Venti hot drink. A tall size is the best option to satisfy a sweet tooth and still stay within measure of your goals! If you're needing an extra boost, add a shot, or two, or three! It's simple, next time you go to Starbucks order your favorite holiday drink in a tall size. Your tummy will thank you!
RULE #2 HOLD THE WHIP
Yes, I know that the whip is the cherry on top for a lot of you, but you won't die without it. Ask for your holiday special with no whip, you might even realize you like it more! I love my peppermint hot chocolates with foam instead of whip..yum.
RULE #3 DECREASE SYRUP PUMPS
Believe me when I say that your drinks DO NOT need extra pumps of anything, the recipes are the way they are for a reason. It doesn't hurt to ask for less pumps of syrup, especially with the holiday drinks because they usually come with two different types of syrup meaning you get an average of 6-12 pumps for Tall-Venti drinks. Stick to the half pump rule, when you order your favorite holiday drink ask for half the pumps of each syrup! OR follow this little guide Short: 1 pump each Tall: 1.5 pump each Grande: 1.5-2 pumps each Venti: 2 pumps each
RULE #4 GO DAIRY FREE
The most obvious option is order your drink with no whip and soy, but why not take it to the next level! Order an Americano with the pumps required for your favorite drink! People do it all the time and I think it's genius! For example I have a customer who orders a "Venti 4 pump pumpkin spice Americano with 2" of steamed soy on top" That's a lot better than ordering a full cup of milk, plus you get the caffeine you want and less of the dairy crap you don't need. Another option is simply getting regular coffee with the adequate pumps for your favorite drink and some steamed or cold soy/milk on top. Both of these options are cheaper and still delicious!
MY PERSONAL FAVORITE HOLIDAY SPLURGE IS A SHORT 1-1.5 PUMPS PEPPERMINT 1-1.5 PUMPS MOCHA SOY NO WHIP PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE :)!
*The reason I don't mention the skinny options is because I personally don't favor sugar free options, including adding Splenda, Sweet n Low, Equal, etc.*
HERE ARE SOME ALTERNATE VERSIONS OF SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR FAVORITES FOR THE HOLIDAYS!:
Peppermint Mocha/Peppermint White Mocha:
USUAL CALORIES/ TALL: 250 GRANDE: 330 VENTI: 420
*Can be ordered decaf or as a hot chocolate*
Option #1: Tall peppermint mocha with 1.5 pumps of each syrup, no whip, with soy and an add shot(optional)
Option #2: Grande/Venti Americano with 2 pumps, mocha 2 pumps peppermint, and 1-2" steamed soy/milk (if you don't mind the extra sugar you can ask for the whip, chocolate curls, and chocolate drizzle that comes on the peppermint mocha)
Option #3: Grande Christmas blend coffee(or regular coffee) 2 pumps peppermint, 2 pumps mocha, steamed or cold soy/milk on top.
Gingerbread Latte:
USUAL CALORIES/ TALL: 190 GRANDE: 250 VENTI: 320
*Can be ordered decaf or as a steamer*
(The reason I say light whip on the gingerbread is because it has special whip and I know a lot of people get this latte because of the whip, but whip free is also delicious with just the drizzle! )
Option #1: Double(optional) Tall Gingerbread latte with 2 pumps gingerbread syrup, soy milk(optional), light whip, light molasses drizzle.
Option #2: Grande/Venti Americano with 4 pumps gingerbread syrup, 1" steamed or cold soy/milk on top with light whip or no whip and molasses drizzle.
Option #3: Grande Christmas blend(or your preferred coffee) 4 pumps gingerbread, 1-2" cold or steamed soy/milk with light whip and molasses drizzle
CARAMEL BRULEE LATTE:
USUAL CALORIES/ TALL: 270 GRANDE: 360 VENTI: 460
*Can be ordered decaf or as a steamer*
Option #1: Double(optional) tall 1.5-2 pump caramel brulee lattee, soy, no whip w/ brulee sprinkles(optional)
Option #2: Grande/Venti Americano 2.5-3.5 pumps brulee sauce, 1" steamed or cold soy/milk, no whip with brulee sprinkles. If you absolutely have to have whip make it light!
Option #3: Grande/Venti Christmas blend(or preferred coffee) With 3 pumps Brulee sauce, 1-2" steamed or cold soy/milk
PUMPKIN SPICED LATTE:
USUAL CALORIES/ TALL: 300 GRANDE:380 VENTI: 470
*Can be ordered decaf or as a steamer*
Option #1: Double(Optional) Tall 1.5-2 pump Pumpkin Spiced Latte, no whip, with soy(optional),
Option #2: Grande/Venti Americano 2.5-3.5 pumps Pumpkin sauce, 1" steamed or cold soy/milk, no whip with pumpkin sprinkles. You can do whip if you really need to, chances are you don't ;)
Option #3: Grande/Venti Christmas blend(or preferred coffee) With 3 pumps Pumpkin sauce, 1-2" steamed or cold soy/milk
SALTED CARAMEL MOCHA:
USUAL CALORIES/ TALL: 250 GRANDE: 330 VENTI: 420
*Can be ordered decaf or as a hot chocolate*
Option #1: Double(Optional) Tall 1 pump toffee nut, 1 pump mocha, 1 pump caramel syrup, no whip, with soy(optional),
Option #2: Double(Optional) Tall 1.5 pump toffee nut, 1.5 pump mocha, light caramel drizzle, no whip, with soy(optional),
Option #3: Grande/Venti Americano 1.5-2 pumps toffee nut, 1.5-2 pumps mocha, 1-2 pumps caramel 1" steamed or cold soy/milk, no whip with salt sprinkles. or instead of the caramel pumps ask for light caramel drizzle. Ditch the whip, or don't it's up to you!
Option #4: Grande/Venti Christmas blend(or preferred coffee) With 1.5-2 pumps mocha, 1.5-2 pumps toffee nut 1 pump caramel, or light caramel drizzle, salt sprinkles, and steamed or cold soy/milk.
IT'S STILL POSSIBLE TO ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS WITHOUT TOO MUCH SACRIFICE!
SHARE THIS LIST WITH YOUR FELLOW STARBUCKS LOVER AND SET UP A COFFEE DATE TO INDULGE IN THE HOLIDAY GOODNESS THAT IS CHRISTMAS AT STARBUCKS!