Save money, calories on homemade drinks

Getting a fancy drink at a coffeehouse can take quite a bite out of your wallet and your diet plan. So I’ve created some healthier options you can whip up at home to save calories and cents.

Kathy’s Caramel Frappuccino

Adapted from a recipe in “Top Secret Recipes: Sodas, Smoothies, Spirits & Shakes”

1 cup water

2 tablespoons ground coffee

1 1/4 cup fat-free milk

3 tablespoons Splenda

2 tablespoons caramel topping

2 cups ice

1/4 cup fat-free whipped topping

Brew the water and ground coffee in a coffee maker to make double-strength coffee. Chill before using.

To make the drink, combine all ingredients except whipped topping in a blender and blend on high speed until ice is crushed and drink is smooth. Pour into two tall glasses, top each drink with 2 tablespoons of whipped topping and serve with straws.

Yield: 2 servings

Approximate nutrition per serving: 148 calories, .7 grams fat (4 percent fat calories), 6.5 protein grams, 29 grams carbohydrate, 5 milligrams cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 133 milligrams sodium.

Kathy’s Chai Latte

Adapted from an Allrecipes.com recipe

1 cup 2 percent milk

1 cup water

1 whole clove

1 cinnamon stick

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

4 teaspoons Splenda

1 black tea bag

1/4 cup fat-free whipped topping

Combine the milk and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once this mixture has warmed, place the clove, cinnamon stick, ginger, nutmeg, Splenda and tea bag into the pan. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 5 minutes or until the color deepens to your liking. Strain clove, cinnamon stick and tea bag and pour into two cups. Top each cup with 2 tablespoons fat-free whipped topping.

Yield: 2 servings

Approximate nutrition per serving: 69 calories, 2.9 grams fat (13 percent fat calories), 4 grams protein, 10 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 68 milligrams sodium.

Kathy’s Pumpkin Spice Latte

Adapted from a Recipecircus.com recipe

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon ground coffee

3 heaping tablespoons canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 cup 2 percent milk

1 tablespoon Splenda

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 cup fat-free whipped topping

Brew the water and ground coffee in a coffee maker to make double-strength coffee.

In a small saucepan, whisk canned pumpkin into milk. Add Splenda, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice. Heat gently, continuing to stir occasionally just until steaming and foam begins to appear.

Pour milk mixture into a tall mug and pour double-strength coffee over it.

Yield: 1 serving

Approximate nutrition per serving: 196 calories, 5.9 grams fat (27 percent fat calories), 8.5 grams protein, 21 grams carbohydrate, 3 milligrams cholesterol, 1.9 grams dietary fiber, 136 milligrams sodium.