CBTL's Apple Caramel Blended Cream

Awhile ago, we were in Trinoma because my sister had to meet someone for a (monkey) business transaction.  LOL!  She made the meeting place to be in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf because it was nearby Kimpura where we ate lunch (another blog post for that, though).

Since I don't frequent these pricey coffee shops anymore these days, I ordered their featured new drink - Apple Caramel Blended Cream.  I'm a fan of anything that is caramelized (hence, my love for leche flan).

It seems that I was drinking a creamy apple juice with a hint of caramel.  I'm not that thrilled with the drink at all. Maybe it's because of my preference for coffee that my taste bud was looking for it when I entered CBTL.  Too bad, I should have bought myself a coffee drink instead.

Anyway, it was still good to try something new.

7/11 French Vanilla Cappuccino

I was getting tired of the Cafe Mocha from the vending machine in one of the stalls on the ground floor of our office building.  So while my friend smoke her cigarette stick, I walked towards 7/11 to look for the coffee she was raving about.  It's the French Vanilla Cappuccino that, according to her, was sold for P10.00 per small cup before.  Now, it's being sold in its regular price of P40.00 per cup.

Now there's something worthy for Starbucks competition.  A smile actually crept in my face as I was sipping this cup of coffee.  It tasted my favorite XO Butter Caramel or Werther's Butterscotch candy.

I truly enjoyed drinking my cup.  It's the perfect lift-me-up during the hours when you're already getting sleepy.

Unfortunately, it's considered a splurge already for someone who earns so little.  The cost of one small cup is equivalent to one ride home.  Sigh!  But of course, on special days, I would definitely buy it.

I want another cup!!!

Apple Cucumber Juice

It's 31 degrees Celsius outside and I wanted something refreshing.  I rummaged the fridge for something but nothing appealed to me until I opened the fridge drawers and found the green apples and one medium sized cucumber.  And I thought of why not making a juice out of these.  It's a healthy change from my sweet and salty diet for the past couple of days. 

So I asked someone to prepare the juice for me because honestly, I don't know how to operate the juice machine (teehee! I don't know why that made me giggle LOL!)

And the finished product is ice cold refreshing apple cucumber drink.

Cheers!

I secretly hope there's vodka in it.  LOL!

Chai Tea Blended Cream

Starbucks has been around for so long already that I'm sure everyone has tried a variety of their drinks already if not all of them.  I tried almost all of their coffee, tea and fruit juice preparation (and my savings has suffered a major blow because of it).  And today, I passed by their Shangri-la branch to get me a serving of my all time favorite: Chai Tea Blended Cream. 

I don't usually drink tea drinks.  I even avoid drinking iced tea at home or in restaurants because I've always thought they were just too sweet (except that of Pho Hoa).  But I don't think I'd ever say no to Chai Tea Blended Cream - Starbucks brand or not.

Some people don't like the taste of cinnamon but having it in my drink is something I go crazy about.  It's like Christmas all over again.  LOL! 

Coffee At Tong Yang

Unlike in some restaurants, buffet in Tong Yang include drink that ranges from sodas, juices and coffee to ice cold beer.  I used to mix mango juice with their ice tea or pineapple juice with apple juice or sprite with different kinds of fruit juice.  I never had the chance to try their beer though. 

But what I like most of all is the brewed coffee and available vanilla ice cream.  You get to have chocolate chips, colorful sprinkles and M&M bits too.

During my last visit, I was able to finish three cups of this:

I had chocolate chips for sugar and vanilla ice cream for the regular cream.  And it was so yummy.  The hot brewed coffee wasn't able to melt the chips entirely and every sip included bits of chocolate.  It was so good.

Spicy Coffee

There are no accidents. 

I was destined to be served coffee a' la ginger tea. 

One breakfast morning, our helper asked me what I wanted to eat and I asked if she could prepare me coffee instead, while I look after my kid.  After a few minutes, she had a hot cup of coffee for me.  I took a few sips and took note of the unusual spice in my coffee.  Initially, I thought it was because it was hot and singed my tongue a bit.  But when I was halfway through it, I was sure that I tasted ginger. 

I called for the helper and asked what she put in it.  She mixed instant coffee, sugar and creamer.  I asked what was the color of the sugar she used.  She told me it was light brown.  And then I knew.  She placed instant salabat instead of sugar.  I asked if I wanted to replace the coffee and I told her it was okay and that I was going to finish all of it.  It was so unconventional that it was so good. 

Sometimes, we need to let accidents happen in order to enjoy the good stuff.