Beverages are a major constant in my life. I always have at least two by my side at all times. Captain America needs his shield, Batman needs Robin, and I need my drinks. When it comes to my beverage choices, I can typically be found with an assortment of three. One for hydration, one for caffeine, and one for fun. And today, I’m focusing on the fun ones.
I’ve dabbled in more than my fair share of drinks, and nothing beats making your own combinations at home. I’ve done lattes, dirty sodas, mocktails, and even boba tea. And today, I’m sharing some of my favorite drinks that I’ve made so that you, too, can be a beverage baddie like me.
Like most college students, coffee is a daily staple in my life, and while the convenience of having a Dunkin’ on campus is helpful in a pinch, I prefer making my own morning latte, which is surprisingly easy to do. You only need two ingredients, espresso and milk. Since most colleges have rules about what you can and can’t have in a dorm room, my lattes aren’t made with machines. Instead, I use instant espresso, and since I’m not a whole milk girlie, I use oatmilk before adding in a flavored syrup for a bit of sweetness. My current favorite is caramel, although when fall comes around, I’ll definitely be on the lookout for pumpkin syrup. You can also add cold foam or whipped cream to the top, completing a latte that’s just as good as a coffee shop’s.
Along with my love of a good beverage, I also love some good old-fashioned reality tv, so when Hulu first aired The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, you can believe that I was sat for it all. And the Mormon Wives weren’t just sharing the drama, they also shared their dirty soda orders. This drink is specific to Utah, but now has people everywhere creating their own, including me. I didn’t just come up with my own version, though. I went straight to the source, the online menu of Swig, the soda shop famous for dirty sodas.
So far, I’ve made two of their menu items, and you can bet that I’ll be making more soon. The first one I recreated was The Founder, which contains Coke, lime, coconut syrup, and coconut cream (I couldn’t find coconut syrup, so I used a splash of coconut extract). I also made The Beach Babe, which combined Mountain Dew with peach syrup, raspberry syrup, and vanilla cream. Both of these tasted absolutely divine, and if there’s a Marshalls near you, I recommend stopping by for all of your flavored syrup needs.
Mocktails are another one of my favorite drinks to make, because the possibilities are endless. One of my favorites that I need to remake soon is also perfect for when you need a refreshing summer beverage that’s easy and tasty. To make this mocktail (which can easily become a cocktail by adding a shot or two of vodka), simply grab some seltzer water (flavored or plain) and combine with lemonade, get some frozen berries to mix in, and top with mint. This drink is perfect if you don’t want something too sweet, and there are so many varieties of seltzer and lemonade that you’ll never get bored. I know I haven’t.
Beverages are truly what make my world go round, and I hope these recommendations quench your thirst for something new.