I'm officially a coffee snob...

Years of working in coffee shops has made me a little more than picky about my morning joe. As much as I would love to wake up and brew my own double shot 16oz white chocolate raspberry latte I will have to wait. I have yet to find an espresso maker that produces barista quality brew. My main complaint is that not a single one of them can actually steam and froth the milk. $500 will get you a commercial grade espresso machine but who wants to fork up that kind of dough. I used to buy syrups at URM but frankly the charge WAY too much for flavored simple syrup. If you are a victim of coffee snobbery.... that's a word right... I have a treat for you.

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Here are two different Vanilla Syrup recipes that cost practically nothing to make and taste fantastic!

The first one is a basic vanilla simple syrup and to tell you the truth tastes just like the syrups we used to use at the coffee shop.

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 tsp vanilla extract

In sauce pan heat sugar and water until sugar is completely dissolved and solution is clear. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool to room temp and store in refrigerator. I store mine in a vinegar bottle (I love the lid)

The second uses vanilla beans and has a very fresh flavor and smells fantastic.

1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup water

1/2 vanilla bean

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Slice vanilla bean lengthwise and drop it into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring once the mixture comes to a simmer, until all sugar has been dissolved. Remove from heat and scrape vanilla seeds out of the vanilla bean and into the syrup. Cool completely, then store in the refrigerator.

The closest thing to frothy steamed milk without an espresso maker. I love it!