This recent Starbucks creation, which cuts the fat, carbs and calories of the original Frappuccino, has become a quick top-seller with coffee-house regulars. Starbucks says their version is 60% fewer calories (150 calories per serving) and 40% less fat (1 gram per serving) than the original Frappuccino. That's sounds good, but we can do even better. This brand new Top Secret Recipes recreation weighs in with the same fat figures, but I've managed to get the calories down even more -- to a measly 100 calories per serving. I've also been able to improve the flavor of previous TSR Frappuccino clones by requiring espresso coffee beans, rather than double-strength regular coffee. Just get some French roast coffee. Then, using your regular coffee maker, double the amount of grounds required.
1. Make double strength French roast coffee by brewing with twice the grounds required by your coffee maker. That should be 2 tablespoons of grounds per each cup of coffee. Be sure to chill this before you use it in the drink or the ice will melt.
2. To make the drinks, combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until the ice is crushed and drink is smooth. Pour into two 16-ounce glasses, add whipped cream on top, if you like, add a straw, and serve.
YIELD: Makes 2 "Grande" drinks
TIDBITS: You can make the caramel version of the Frappuccino Light by adding two tablespoons of caramel topping to the mix before blending.