HOW TO MAKE STARBUCKS’ HONEY CARAMEL FRAPP HEALTHIER—FOR A FEW CENTS PER CUP

by Arielle Haspel for Thrive Market

Pumpkin spice latte. Salted caramel mocha. S’mores frappuccino. These are just some of the seasonal offerings diehard Starbucks fans have historically lined up to get their hands on. This spring, the chain’s beverage du jour is the caramelized honey frappuccino.

The only problem? With 68 grams of sugar per serving, it isn’t exactly good for you. But you can satisfy your sweet tooth by blending up a healthier version at home. Naturally sweet dates and honey recreate the burnt sugar flavor of the original, just without the inevitable crash. Best of all, it takes less than three minutes to make—and only costs a few cents!

Caramelized Honey Frappuccino

Yield: 1 (12-ounce) serving Active Time: 3 minutes

Ingredients

1/4 cup brewed instant coffee 1/4 cup almond milk 1 cup ice (approximately 10 cubes) 3 dates, pitted 2 teaspoons honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Pour coffee into blender. Add all remaining ingredients. (If you prefer a sweeter drink, add more dates.) Blend on low (or use “ice crush” speed) until it reaches a milkshake-like consistency. Pour into a glass and serve with a straw. Garnish with a drizzle of honey, if desired.

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Photo credit: Arielle Haspel