DIY: Coffee shop drinks at home

My love of gingerbread lattes is legendary: I’ve tried bribing baristas a week before the drink “premieres” in-store for a preview, looking forward to it like a kid at Christmas.

Of course, it’s not terribly thrifty of me to like a frou-frou coffee drink that can top out at $6-7 when you add in soy milk or extra shots, and that’s why I happily tried Torani’s gingerbread syrup, not to mention a close second love: hazelnut.

With over 120 flavors — both regular and sugar-free — you can’t really go wrong. In fact, I’m willing to go wrong just to try their bacon [yes, BACON!] flavor.

But for the everyday treat of gingerbread coffee, I add a quick shot to my regular coffee. The regular comes in at 100 calories, but the sugar-free has zero — and tastes just as delectable and is sweetened by Splenda.

It’s been saving me some calories, and some cash! At about $7 retail for a 25 oz. bottle, it’s a deal and lasts quite a while. I’m also experimenting with it to spice up cocoas, and their hibiscus flavor is delicious come summertime.

Best of all, I’m no longer bribing baristas!