Instant Mocha Latte Mix

If you know me well, you know I am not a "morning person."

I hate waking up, in fact I have hated it since I was a kid.  I can remember epic battles with my mother, as early as kindergarten, where she would be trying to get me out the door while I was throwing a fit.

When I was a few years older, I also tried to get out of walking to school by telling my parents that "my legs don't work in the morning."  I'm sure you can imagine how that ended... with me trudging grumpily to school.

I'm happy to report that at this point in my life, I don't cry and scream anymore (though Mr. Vittles might disagree) and my legs work just fine at 7AM.  But no matter what time I wake up, or how smoothly my morning duties go, I still always seem to be scrambling at the end.

In case you didn't know, I am also a coffee-a-holic, so those aforementioned "duties" typically include making myself either iced coffee or a latte.  Or if things are REALLY going well, I may forgo that duty and stop to buy one instead.

But then there are those mornings when nothing goes right.

When... every outfit I put on looks terrible.

When... I happen to notice I forgot to put on makeup (eek!)

When... the Mini is running around, refusing to get her clothes and/or coat on (maybe she inherited my morning-hating?), OR decides that 30 seconds before we leave is a good time to test-drive her fresh diaper.

When... I can't find my keys, anywhere.

When... I'm pulling out of the driveway and I realize my cell phone is still sitting on my dresser.

Or maybe some awful combination of the above, who knows.

But whatever the reason ... there are sad, sad days when I get to work coffee-less.  And for dire times like these, I keep a stash of instant coffee at my desk.

Coffee snobs are likely horrified, and I'll admit my early experience with instant coffee was not too positive - but when Starbucks came out with their Via line, I felt instant coffee was redeemed.  Then, when I recently saw their new instant lattes, I was even more excited.  I'll take a hot latte over a hot cup of coffee any day.

It pains me to say it - I am a Starbucks lover from way back, and gold card-holder for many years - but these lattes just have a weird taste... which I happen to dislike immensely.

So my disappointment gave me an idea.  What if I made my own mixture, and I could save the servings in little baggies at my desk?

Well it turns out, not only does this NOT taste weird (at least, not to me), it has the added benefit that you can adjust the mix to your personal preferences.  If you like the coffee flavor to be strong, add more espresso powder.  If you like it super sweet, add more confectioners sugar (or vice versa if you prefer less sweet, or even unsweetened).  If you like it creamier, add more milk powder.

It's the little things that make the mornings a little more bearable :)

Instant Mocha Latte Mix

• 5 T. nonfat dry milk powder (I used Carnation brand)
• 1 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 T. confectioners sugar
• 1 1/2 t. instant espresso powder (I used Medaglio D'Oro brand)

Combine all ingredients and mix until evenly distributed.  Store in airtight container until ready to use.  To make a latte, empty mixture into mug and add 1 C. boiling (or very hot) water.  Stir until powder is dissolved, and enjoy.  Makes 1 serving.

Original Recipe