4 Holiday Twists on Classic Starbucks Verismo Recipes

I know what you’re thinking. Why are you talking about the holidays in April!??! Well I KNOW I’m not the only one who loves all the flavors and smells of the holiday season. There’s always a certain recipe, whether it be food or drink, that people look forward to as the weather turns chilly and the lights become colorful. Well, I’m asking why can’t we do have it year round? So what if it’s 80 and sunny out – I *still* love waking up to a warm cup of Cinnamon Vanilla Latte!

Speaking of summer, this last summer I spent one glorious morning with Starbucks in Chicago eating buttery pastries and learning how to brew the perfect cup of Starbucks coffee from a top Starbucks barista. Little did I know how valuable this information could be, especially now that brewing my own Starbucks specialty drinks is increasingly easier with the Starbucks Verismo 580 Brewer. (Did you know staples carries the new Starbucks Coffee machines? They also carry the pods! Bonus, you earn Staples Rewards for purchasing either, like 5% back on the Verismo 580.)

Starbucks Verismo Vanilla Latte
1 Verismo™ Milk Pod
1 Verismo™ Espresso Pod
1 Tbsp. vanilla syrup
After rinsing your machine, place the vanilla syrup in your cup and place the cup below the brew nozzle. Lift the handle and insert the milk pod. Press the Milk (bottom) button. Insert the espresso pod and press the Espresso (top) button. When the machine is ready (lights will stop blinking), press the Espresso (top) button again.  Stir until fully mixed. Makes one 7 fluid oz. beverage.

Our Holiday Twist

#1 Cinnamon Vanilla Latte
1 Verismo™ Milk Pod
1 Verismo™ Espresso Pod
1/8 tsp. pure vanilla extract/or vanilla syrup
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
Just make sure you extract/syrup and cinnamon at the beginning of the brew process to completely dissolve.

#2 Raspberry White Chocolate Latte:
1 Verismo™ Milk Pod
1 Verismo™ Espresso Pod
1/2oz Raspberry Syrup
1oz Chocolate Sauce
Add all Syrup and Sauce to your cup first. Then brew as a traditional latte.

#1 Peppermint Hot Cocoa
2 Verismo™ Milk Pods
1 envelope hot cocoa mix
1/8 tsp peppermint extract
1 Peppermint Candy Cane
Follow the directions above but add 1/8tsp Peppermint Extract and mix with 1 Peppermint Candy Cane.
Tip: Keep the candy cane, it’s great for keeping the hot cocoa mixture from settling.

#2 Buckeye Cocoa
2 Verismo™ Milk Pods
1 envelope hot cocoa mix
2 tsp peanut butter.
Add peanut butter between the first and second milk pods (that way it doesn’t stick to your cup). Whisk until the drink is smooth.

Thank you to Staples for providing the Starbucks Verismo brewer. All opinions remain my own.