SFLC Latte Fix

I guess this should be classified as more of a tip vs a recipe, but as Miley so eloquently put it: "It's my party I can do what I want."

Possibly second in line to my love of cheese is my love of espresso. (Lamar makes this list at some point, honest. Probably somewhere between pizza and wine, which are both super high up there so he should really feel privileged.)

Don't get me wrong, I love a good doppio espresso shot or a trusty Americano, but most of the time I crave a rich, creamy, velvety, vanilla latte. Which, if you drink them as they normally come, are LOADED with carbs and sugars. Vanilla lattes are more than just an occasional cheat/treat for me, so I had to figure out a sugar free low carb alternative. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I work a couple nights a week as a barista, so I had all kinds of equipment at my disposal with which to experiment. 

Half of the sugar-free part was easy. As far as I know 99.9% of Starbucks/coffee shops have a sugar-free vanilla syrup (usually caramel too, if that's your thing) which takes out a load of sugar right there. But we're still left with all the sugar and carbs that come from the milk. Surprisingly, skim is the worst offender. Followed by 2%, whole, then half and half.  While breve (half and half) lattes are delicious, 1 cup of cream still carries 10g carbs and a lot of calories. In my best estimation just a tall would have you at around 425 calories. Not something I want in my diet on an every other day basis.

*you're not really stupid

Cue the Hallelujah Chorus, I found the answer.  

Start by ordering a basic Americano (espresso + water). Ask your barista to add sugar-free vanilla syrup. (Side rant, seriously you don't need to specify the number of pumps. We know how much to put in each size to make it taste right, and ordering a certain number is just obnoxious.) Then ask for a couple inches of steamed half and half on top. 

While this doesn't taste exactly like a latte made entirely with milk, it is a pretty dang good mimic. Having the majority of the base as water saves loads of calories, but the steamed half and half still gives it that nice foamy layer and the creaminess that I crave. Plus, it's even cheaper than a regular latte and since it's ordered as an Americano you get an extra shot! What what!

Now go try it out! Any barista at any coffee joint will be able to accommodate your request. And as long as you don't answer our "How are you today?" with "Venti Americano" we won't hate you, and you'll end up with a delicious drink.

Nutrition*:

120 Calories 

3.9g Carbs

0g Sugar

*approximate counts depending on individual barista's interpretation of "a couple inches"