I must admit I have to have coffee in the mornings. I use flavored creamer and sweetener in my coffee. I started out using a drip pot but now I use a pod coffee maker. With the opening of 7Brew in Salem I have tried some new flavors. I still get frazzled at Starbucks when I try to order so I tend to avoid going there.
Growing up, I remember when my parents would go to a restaurant based on whether their coffee was any good or not. My mom used instant coffee most mornings since my dad didn’t drink morning coffee. When we had company, she used a percolator coffee maker which resulted in a strong, bitter, dark brew.
Before Starbucks and U.S. coffee café culture became the norm in the 1990’s, there was a popular line of instant flavored coffee called General Foods International Coffees which offered flavored options like Orange Cappuccino and Cafe Francais. General Foods International Coffee was a premium brand of flavored instant coffee launched by General Foods in the early 1970s, known for popularizing European-inspired flavors like Cafe au Lait, Swiss Mocha, and Cafe Vienna. The brand was marketed as sophisticated and aspirational, offering a taste of European cafe culture at home. It underwent several changes over the years, including being renamed General Foods International to include non-coffee beverages and eventually being rebranded as Maxwell House International Cafés in 2010 which you can still buy today.
Occasionally, my mom would buy the General Foods International Coffees in the little tins. She liked the Café Vienna. I remember thinking this was the epitome of luxury. Someday I was going to grow up and buy that coffee to drink every day. I still like the occasional mug of Suisse Mocha when I can find it.
This week’s recipes are for drink mixes that are perfect to give for gifts. And they might bring back some fond memories to “Celebrate the moments of your life!” this holiday season.
French Vanilla Cappuccino mix
Ingredients
2 cup powdered milk
1 cup instant coffee
1 cup sugar
1 box of vanilla pudding
1/2 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
Instructions
Combine the ingredients and store in an airtight container. To Serve Label: Shake when ready to use. Add 2-3 tablespoons to 8 oz of hot water. Mix well.
Vienna Coffee Mix
Ingredients
1/2 cup instant coffee granules
1/2 cup real powdered milk
6 tbsp powdered sugar (Florida Crystals if you’ve got it)
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp vanilla powder (or skip and add real vanilla extract to your mug when serving)
Instructions
Combine: Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until well mixed. Optional – Make it ultra-smooth: Pulse in a blender or food processor for 15–20 seconds until the mixture is fine and uniform. This helps it dissolve faster and gives it that creamy, café texture. To Store: Pour into a small airtight jar or tin. Label and date it. To Serve Label: Add 2–3 tablespoons of mix to a mug. Pour in 6–8 oz of hot water (not boiling). Stir well. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon if you’re feeling fancy.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix
Ingredients
1/2 cup Instant Coffee
1/2 cup Powdered Milk
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup French Vanilla Creamer Powder
2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
Instructions
Pour pumpkin spice latte mix ingredients in bowl. Stir until evenly combined. Store in a mason jar or sealed bag. To Serve Label: Place 1/3 cup mix in cup. Add 12 ounces boiling water. Stir.
Easy Mocha Mix
Ingredients
1½ cups powdered milk or non-dairy coffee creamer
1 cup sugar
½ cup instant coffee granules
½ cup cocoa powder
¼ tsp vanilla extract
dash of salt
¼ cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine powdered milk, sugar, instant coffee, cocoa powder, and salt. Add vanilla, then use a fork to combine vanilla with the mix. Add the chopped chocolate to the mix. Place all the mix into an airtight container. To Serve Label: Dissolve 3 tablespoons of mix into a mug of boiling water. Stir well. Add whipped cream and chocolate chips, if desired.
Toffee Coffee Mix
Ingredients
1 cup instant coffee granules
2 cups skim milk powder
1 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup instant butterscotch pudding mix
Instructions
Stir all ingredients together, then store in a tightly lidded jar. To Serve Label: “Add two to three teaspoons of mix to a coffee cup or mug. Add 3/4 cup of boiling water and stir well.”
Fireside Coffee Mix
Ingredients
2 cups non-dairy coffee creamer
1 ½ cups hot chocolate mix
1 ½ cups instant coffee granules
1 ½ cups sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
Stir all ingredients together in a large bowl. Makes three 2-cup jars.
To Serve Label: “Add two heaped tablespoons to a cup of boiling water. Stir well and serve.”
Pink Hot Cocoa Mix
This Pink Hot Cocoa Mix is rich, creamy and full of strawberry flavor.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup Strawberry Nesquik Mix
3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 small package white chocolate instant pudding mix
Instructions
Mix all three ingredients together in a bowl. Run the mix through a mesh sifter. Store mix in an air tight container. To Serve: heat up a mug of milk. Add 1 1/2 -2 Tablespoons of mix to the warmed milk and mix well. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream
