Coffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages around the world. From the ritual of preparing the brew to the caffeine kick in the morning, it is popular for a good reason. Though I love coffee, some mornings my body does not feel up to the highly caffeinated beverage. If you ever have issues with the acid in the drink or dislike the jitters that can accompany the brew, look no further than these three concoctions that are delicious without the negative side effects.
Creamy Matcha Latte
Matcha is my go-to morning pick me up. There is a plethora of health benefits to the powdered green tea leaves. I love the flavor of matcha and find that the caffeine does not cause me to crash or have jitters. I like mine best with oat milk but you can substitute any variety of milk. I am currently adding in lions mane mushroom powder which supports cognitive function. However, I have used ashwagandha powder and reishi powder in the past and reishi is my favorite. I love adding adaptogens into my drinks to give my body some added support.
Ingredients:
*1/2 cup (ish) of milk
*1 cup of hot water
*1/2 teaspoon of matcha powder
*1/4 teaspoon of lions mane powder
*1 scoop collagen peptides
Preparation:
*Add water into kettle to heat
*Pour milk into cup and microwave for 30 seconds
*Add all remaining ingredients to milk and pour in hot water, stir with milk frother
Black Tea and Milk
This recipe is super simple but incredibly delicious. I use either an Assam Tea, Chai Tea, or Earl Grey. Mix it up and add in collagen, cinnamon, honey, or turmeric. This tea is a blank canvas that is as tasty alone as it is with add-ins.
Ingredients:
*1 teaspoon loose-leaf tea (or 1-2 sachets)
*Splash of milk
Preparation:
*Boil water
*Steep tea
*Add splash of milk
Golden Milk Latte
If you want something creamy and caffeine free, this latte is a great choice. Anti-inflammatory turmeric and healing collagen peptides both provide extra support for your joints at the start of the day. I love adding in a scoop of butter to get some healthy fats. This drink is also great for sipping in the evening.
Ingredients:
*1/2 cup of oat milk
*1/2 cup of hot water
*1 teaspoon of Golden Milk powder
*1 scoop of collagen peptides
*scoop of butter (add however much you like, I slice a little chunk off)
Preparation:
*Boil water
*Heat milk for 30 seconds in the microwave
*Add in golden milk powder, collagen peptides, scoop of butter, and hot water
*Let butter melt and then stir with milk frother
I hope you enjoy these morning coffee alternates. Dress them up anyway you want and most importantly have fun experimenting in the kitchen!
Alina Gersib