Many of us rely on that morning cup of coffee to get us going, but sometimes it just gets monotonous with the same milk, creamer, sugar or Splenda.
Sure, you can switch up the flavor of creamers that you buy and try some trendy non-dairy milks, but these only keep it interesting for so long.
These unique add-ins will transform your average cup of joe and your morning, allowing you to avoid spending half of your paycheck at Starbucks each month.
1. Muscle Milk
Photo by Eli Christman
Don’t knock this until you try it. The creaminess of the shake makes your mug taste like a latte, especially the vanilla creme flavor.
Adding about 1 tablespoon does the trick, and at $2-3 per bottle depending on where you are buying it, this is a steal.
It’s perfect for an extra protein boost that will be sure to make you feel like you’re making some gains. Plus, it’s dairy-free.
2. Nesquik Chocolate Milk Powder
Photo by Mike Mozart
Ah, the sweet taste of childhood. Not only will this remind you of being a kid, but it will also turn your boring black coffee into a mocha. A box of Nesquik powder is only $5, with each serving coming out to be 15¢.
Hot chocolate packets work too, but the Nesquik has more vitamins and minerals.
3. Butter + Coconut Oil
Photo by Julia Liang
I know what you’re thinking. Yes, this is a thing.
There is a health food trend that includes adding butter and coconut oil to your coffee to replace breakfast. The high-fat content of this coffee mixture jumpstarts your metabolism, induces ketosis and reduces the post-coffee caffeine crash.
Coconut oil is about $7 for 14-fl.oz., and a jar should last you a long time. You might already have a stick of butter, which goes at about $1 per stick. Cheapest health food trend I’ve ever heard of.
4. Vanilla Extract
Photo courtesy of Bill Holsinger-Robinson
Vanilla extract takes the bitterness out of coffee without over-doing it with sweetness. At about $2.50 per fl.oz., vanilla extract is a steal; a little goes a long way and the bottle will last you a while.
If you’re looking for a two-month-long project, make the vanilla extract yourself.
5. Cinnamon
Photo by Aakanksha Joshi
One of my personal favorites, cinnamon adds a kick to coffee, and it has so many health benefits.
Who doesn’t have cinnamon in their pantry? This is basically free. (It’s free in calories too.)
6. Ice Cream
Photo by Grace Bodkin
We’ve all tried coffee ice cream, why not add ice cream to coffee? This is almost like a DIY frappuccino, without dropping the $4 at Starbucks. Mix in a scoop or two and the creaminess will be sure to please.
You probably already have this in your freezer, so it’s basically a tiny dent in your $4 Ben and Jerry’s pint.
When your ordinary Monday morning calls for something new, be sure to try one of these out of the ordinary additions.