Budget-Friendly Espresso Machine
New favorite part of my morning rhythm: making a latte at home!! We recently purchased a budget-friendly espresso machine and I’m “spilling the beans” about it on the blog today!
Any latte lovers out there? 🙋♀️ Not long ago, I discovered the “skinny vanilla latte” at Starbucks. It’s one of those drinks that’s not on the menu but you can order that way and the barista typically knows what you’re talking about. It’s just like a normal vanilla latte but with sugar free vanilla syrup and nonfat milk. I love that they’re only 60 calories (for a tall). And I legitmately think they taste good!
Going to Starbucks everyday isn’t really affordable and making coffee at home isn’t terrible but it’s something I’ve just never done consistently mainly because “normal” coffee with cream and sugar or creamer just isn’t my thing. Plus we no longer have a standard coffee maker or Keurig so I just drink a Coke for my caffeine. It’s so sugary though. So I’ve thought for a while if we could get an espresso machine I could make my lattes at home and cut back on the Cokes. Great idea, in theory, but uh have you seen how expensive espresso makers are?! And then you get to thinking, what if the latte doesn’t taste as good at home and I decide I’m not a fan?
I found this little guy at Walmart (and I’ve linked it below, along with similar models at a few different stores. It’s under $40 and although nothing fancy, it does the job! I am loving my lattes!! I’m no barista, so it might be a while before I spill the beans on how to make this latte (see what I did there?? 🤪) but the pamphlet included in the box detailed the basics and I’m pretty proud of the result!
I’ve been playing around with different types of milk, just depending on what we have at the time. I can say there’s quite the difference in a whole milk latte vs. nonfat milk! But both are delicious! I can’t remember if I bought the Starbucks Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup at Harris Teeter or Walmart, but I’ve linked it from Walmart’s website below. I am also 99% sure I paid less than the online price so I recommend checking your grocery store in person.
Maybe one day I will up my game to a fancier espresso machine but for now I am super impressed with this Mr. Coffee espresso maker!!
I’m not very confident in my milk frothing skills just yet, so if you have any pointers, send them my way!! What kind of espresso beverages do you like?
Disclaimer: I am not a dietitian or medical professional and while I share what ingredients work for me or what I choose to eat (at my own risk) while dining out, I advise you do your homework when choosing ingredients and places to eat. I highly encourage everyone to do their own research when it comes to the products they cook with or restaurant’s procedures. I do not have celiac disease but rather a gluten-intolerance and I’m not an expert on gluten or other food intolerances, autoimmune diseases, or food allergies. I simply share the ingredients I have found work for me, the places where I’ve dined and my personal experiences.