Friday, January 08, 2010

Peppermint Mocha, the tutorial

I had an expensive addiction. My favorite treat is a cup of gourmet coffee from our area's drive-thru coffee experts, Dutch Brothers. In the summer, I ordered a iced, sugar free, low-fat, decaf, Snickers. Delicious. When the weather turned cold, I turned to the peppermint mocha. At $3 a cup, my indulgence was rare. How can I make gourmet coffee at home? I asked my question on FB last month and got lots of feedback. The consensus: strong coffee + flavored syrups.



coffee

For Christmas, a wonderful friend gave us a French Press coffee maker. I began my experimentation for the perfect home-made peppermint mocha. It took me awhile, but I found the ratios that give me Dutch Brother's taste at home for a lot less money.


First, I start with 3 heaping tablespoons of regular ol' coffee grounds. Add almost boiling water to fill the french press 3/4 full, stir and let set for 4 minutes. Not 3 minutes or 5 minutes. 4 minutes.

coffee


Let set for 4 minutes and then press out the grounds. I love this process.



coffee

While waiting for the coffee, I mix my flavoring concoction for the peppermint mocha. I use 1/4 cup milk plus .5 ounce chocolate mint syrup (plain peppermint would work here too, but it gets a bit sweet with the kind I have).



coffee


I also add 1 oz. chocolate sauce, Torani brand. Hershey's works too.


coffee


Stir the chocolate sauce together with the syrup and the milk and warm up in the microwave for 30 seconds. It would be awesome if I could make it frothy to, but maybe another day when I feel like getting out the blender. Add the flavorings to the pressed coffee...


coffee

Perfection.

signiture3

7 comments:

joyq said...

I call we make this when *IF* I come over:) I will bring great harvest bread. Fair trade?

Dan & Hillary said...

Ah. Torani is the best. Looks like you could pick up a side gig at Sbux;-)

Anonymous said...

If you want a good froth at home then you need this little gadget........

http://www.amazon.com/BonJour-Primo-Frother-Brushed-Aluminum/dp/B0000E170W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1263059405&sr=8-2

Enjoy :)

Cooking with Big E said...

My husband got a French Press for Christmas as well and it's definitely a step up from the coffee maker! I'm content just to use my free coffee creamer with it, but the peppermint mocha sounds pretty deluxe!

Sherri said...

we'll be over to your house real soon!!

Unknown said...

Mmmm, now you have me craving coffee... I'll have to see if I can find a French press here in Korea. I think it would go nicely in my mini kitchen. ^_^ Oh, and thanks for the tip about the comments. Good to know!

Linds and Manda said...

Can I order that when I come? Glad to hear someone gave you a pres. Those things are wonderful. We really have enjoyed ours. Something about it seems fun and I end up making and drinking more coffee than I normally would. Ahh...coffee and a good book while the kids are in their quiet time. God's gift to mothers of young chidren...that an tranquilizer darts. Just joking about that last one. :)