Coffee & Tea Establishments

Trying To Save Money Making My Own Zebra Drink.

Trying To Save Money Making My Own Zebra Drink.

I had been buying Starbucks drinks for each of my two children, myself and occasionally for my wife for quite a few years.  I had experimented buying different Starbucks drinks that I liked.  I finally found that the grande size zebra really worked for me.  It has coffee, 5 pumps of dark chocolate, 5 pumps of white chocolate, steamed milk, and a dollop of whipped cream.   I also ask the Starbucks barista to heat the drink up to a very high temperature.  I like to drink my coffee slowly.

If you have a zebra drink often, you should consider going to a gym to work off the calories.

One day I decided to see how much I was spending on buying Starbucks drinks and food items.  I viewed my billing for one month and took that amount and multiplied it by 12 to get an approximate value for the year.  I came up with almost $6,000.  Ouch.  I shared this with my daughter, that I was spending way too much money for these coffee drinks.  In a few days she went out and purchased a Keurig machine.  I had never considered this option.  She then went out and purchased a variety of pods that you need to feed into this coffee machine.  The Keurig is a very clever device.  I recommend it.

My next problem was to find a way for the Keurig to make me a zebra coffee drink.   Here is my solution for getting close to a zebra using a Keurig:

  • I buy a box of Swiss Miss Hot Coco Mix that hold the mix in Keurig pods.  This supplies the chocolate flavor.  I like to save money so I go to Bed Bath & Beyond to buy their large box.  Most grocery stores will sell the smaller boxes of these pods, but at a higher cost.
  • I started buying Starbucks Via Instant powder coffee sleeves at COSTCO, Columbia flavor.  COSTCO, after a few years, failed to sell this so I searched around for the best price and Walmart is now my source.  This is a fine powder and you need to stir it into the hot chocolate.  You only need these two ingredients to get close to the zebra flavor. 
  • Next, my wife found a product that moved away from the zebra flavor quite a lot.  Her ingredient, shown next, has made a very good different drink. 

 

Main ingredients for the coffee drink
The Swiss Miss pod is the chocolate flavor source. The Starbucks instant Colombia coffee is needed to supply the coffee flavor.

 

 

  • About a year after I discovered how to  make a Keurig zebra, my wife started buying a coffee creamer made by Planet Oat.  It is a French Vanilla, Oatmilk Creamer.   This creamer moved the drink flavor away from the Starbucks zebra but it really added to  making the drink even better.  I put only a small amount of this creamer into my cup.

 

 

Planet Oat Creamer
Planet Oat French Vanilla Creamer

 

  • I then add milk into the coffee mug to raise the whole drink closer to the top of the mug.  I then put the mug into our microwave to raise the temperature up so it is hot as I like.

I ran an analysis of how much I spend at Starbucks in 2021 and the total now comes out to be roughly $2,100.  I have not calculated my costs for the Swiss Miss pods, Starbucks Via Instant coffee.  

 

 

Posted:   April 17, 2021

Free Birthday Drinks At Starbucks?

Free Birthday Drinks At Starbucks?

I had early the same morning purchased my sleeping zebra for myself and a grande mocha Frappuccino  for my son at Albertsons Super Market, 2500 E. Imperial Highway in Brea, California.  Later the same day I took my daughter over to the same Starbucks inside the same Albertsons to get my daughter a mocha Frappuccino.  My daughter told the barista that it was my birthday.  The barista reminded us that I could get a free drink because it was my birthday.  I already had my drink for the day so declined.  Next day I went with both my daughter and son to get our morning Starbucks at the same old Albertsons.  I asked if I could get my free birthday drink but was declined as the manager would have to approve.  The manager only works in the mornings.  Later in the day I drove over to a nearby Albertsons at 1930 N. Placentia Ave, Fullerton, and tried to get a free Starbucks drink but I was told that they are not a REAL Starbucks and would not provide a free birthday drink.  Real close to my house is a drive through Starbucks, a REAL Starbucks.  I walked in and asked if I qualify for a free drink because it was my birthday.  The person behind the cash register said yes!  I went on to say that yesterday was my birthday.  The answer was still yes!  I then said that my normal drink was a Zebra.  The answer was yes!  I was told that I could have any drink, any size!  I was impressed.  I did receive the drink, exactly as I specified and you know what?  They never asked to see proof of my birthday.

Everyone working at the Starbucks inside Albertsons know that I have a gold card from Starbucks.  That card guarantees you get a free drink on your birthday.  Evidently that card is not fully honored at all Albertsons.  The person at the REAL Starbucks did not ask to see that card but took my word, quite impressed!

I think everyone might have a different view of the importance of birthdays.  It is my view that it celebrates that person joining us in this absurd life experience.  It is comforting to share life with friends.  It would simply be awful to be alone.  Celebrations should say, “we are happy you are here with us”.   Businesses capitalize on birthdays to drum up business.  Birthdays are typically done in family and friend groups, all the more reason to use this vehicle.  Eating and drinking establishments get old customers to return and maybe entice new people with birthday rewards.  It is our opinion that managers should think of birthday give outs as not a cash loss, but rather a draw for customers to share their lives with this establishment.

Side note:  Corporate allegedly has told its stores that it is most important to get the customer their drink within two minutes.   It is our perception that some drinks are better prepared at Albertsons because they typically have less pressure to complete drink orders fast.  If I were to order a simple coffee or non mixed drink, I would go to either store.  Because my drink requires the mixing of two types of chocolate, I almost always get a better tasting drink at Albertsons.  The REAL Starbucks, allegedly, cut corners to get orders competed on time.

I still like the Albertsons on Imperial Highway.  I think I will start to spend more time going to the REAL Starbucks on the corner of Imperial Highway and Valencia in Brea.

Starbucks Tip

Starbucks Tip

I must admit that I have an addiction.  I must have a Zebra coffee drink, extra hot, light whip, each day.  Because Starbucks coffee is so strong and their dark chocolate is so strong, I have settled upon the ideal coffee drink, with the help of quite a few baristas.  I love chocolate but the Starbucks chocolate needs to be toned down a bit so a white chocolate is added.  To soften the coffee flavor I ask for a bit of whipped cream. The Zebra name comes from the fact that both white and dark chocolate goes into the drink.   Unfortunately, the resulting Zebra coffee and chocolate drink is so darn good, I typically ask for venti size thus killing any chance of loosing any weight.  I also ask for the drink to be extra hot because it is so tall and just love it if the barista can hand it over at 200 degrees.  This drink, in my opinion, has become the litmus test for coffee houses.  I have found that the drink seldom is prepared correctly at Starbucks Coffee establishments.  Now here is the tip.  Albertson’s grocery stores frequently have a Starbucks stand inside the store.  I think they are trained better and take their time making the drinks properly because the results are dramatic.  The very best Starbucks is located in the Albertson’s in Brea California near the corner of Imperial Highway and Kramer Blvd.  The manager, Vickie, trains all the barista’s very well and these young people have wonderful personalities and are fun to kid around with.  A remarkable taste is achieved at this store.  Most often my Zebra will have a marshmallow taste which I take to mean that the barista has given me a perfectly put together drink.  I have never experienced this flavor at any Starbucks store where they get so slammed they cut corners in drink preparation.

Starring Roles Bakery – MGM Studios – Walt Disney World

Starring Roles Bakery – MGM Studios – Walt Disney World

Starring Roles Bakery – MGM Studios – Walt Disney World

This bakery is located right next to the Brown Derby Restaurant in the MGM Studios. There is no indoor seating, but there are several tables with umbrellas on the patio just outside the bakery. The tables have a good view of the action on one of the busiest corners of the MGM Studio and are great for people watching and taking a break.

I love this place. It’s great for a (relatively) inexpensive breakfast or a coffee break later in the day. It only stays open until about 3 in the afternoon (depending on the season) so check the hours posted by the patio.

Inside the bakery, one can get coffee drinks, soft drinks, hot chocolate and an assortment of pastries. To my regret they no longer seem to carry the yummy grapefruit cake (which is available next door at the Brown Derby restaurant). For breakfast fare the bakery offers several kinds of bottled juices, assorted muffins, bagels, etc.

My personal favorite is the bagel, cream cheese and salmon plate. The salmon comes either “pastramied” or smoked (i.e. lox). The plate also comes with capers and a HUGE portion of cream cheese. If you order a bagel and cream cheese alone, you don’t get nearly as much cream cheese. You can feed the bagel through the toaster device on the counter if you prefer it toasted.

The condiment bar is well stocked with napkins, cream and that sort of thing. The silverware, although plastic, is quite sturdy for spreading the cream cheese. Every time I’ve been there, there are also plenty of staff there sweeping up and keeping the area very clean.

This place is highly recommended by me. Don’t take all the lox. Thank you.

The Writer’s Corner – MGM Studios – Walt Disney World

The Writer’s Corner – MGM Studios – Walt Disney World

The Writer’s Corner – MGM Studios – Walt Disney World

This little place is part bookstore and part coffee bar. If you’re from Seattle, as I am, it reminds one of all the coffee places around town. It is also a great place for having a coffee break when it’s too hot or too cold or too wet outside or you just need to get away from the crowd. There isn’t much seating – just one or two tables and a sofa and two easy chairs.

The items for sale are books (not that many – mostly Disney related or popular fiction suitable for vacation reading), music (definitely all Disney-related), autograph books and journals and the like, and also some kitchen-related Disney items.

There are soft drinks and specialty coffee drinks. The coffee is the contract-required Nescafe brand, but if you get a latte or such, it is generally better than the hopelessly weak Nescafe served most places in the theme parks.

Snacks include giant cookies, rice crispy treats, etc. A word about the cookies: if you like soft cookies, like I do, don’t be drawn in by the cookies which are higher than they are round. I think it’s because they have to cook them slowly to get them done all the way through. But in any case, they are all crunchy, even the chocolate chip, sugar cookies, and peanut butter cookies. If you like soft cookies, choose the ones that resemble small Frisbees.

However, the ultimate attraction of this place is the small size and change of mood from the rest of the park. It is located next to the Sci-Fi Drive-in Diner and quite close to the Star Tours ride. If you visit during the Christmas season, this is a great stop after seeing the Osborne Family Festival of lights which is quite close.