Expresso machine? Lattes, frappucinos, iced drinks! Help!

I would like to buy some Davinci syrups and learn to make my own drinks. Two weeks worth of Starbucks would pay for a cheap expresso machine but i have never used one, or even seen one in real life. So does anybody know how ot use them and how ot make the drinks I like? And what flavors are needed from davinci? I like vanilla lattes, cinnamon dolces, SF of course... but if I could learn to make a mocha out of some type of SF syrup.. YUMMY

hey chickie, I make my coffee like a mocha using chocolate micellar milk....and get protein as a result! You and I just need to get together and I can show you some tricks. I can get you and Kym here at the same time and we will have a taste bonanza!!!! There are also some protein powders that are mocha flavored and cappuciino flavored. I will let you know what I can find out.

OK that sounds great! So I will not need an expresso machine? I don't have the first clue as to how these are made. Do I need ot buy some davicnci syrups? I saw on their website that there are some stores that sell it, they say walmart so I am going to check

I don't have an espresso machine and I have really been having some fun with protein...but I have lots to learn. We really ought to plan to go to Paula's one weekend and learn from her...the master of protein! She has a recipe for one that tastes like a pina colada that I really want to try but I can't remember what goes in it except for the Malibu S/F DaVinci.

Well, I prefer the name Protein Diva! LOL! The pina colada is Nectar Caribbean Cooler powder, 2 inch frozen banana, a dash of ff half and half and then a glug of malibu rum davinci syrup! Yummo I actually bought a latte maker and used it once. so dont go there. I believe in ease and getting in the protein. Melinda, Sams club in rivergate has a good selection of some of the basic sf davinci (vanilla, caramel, raspberry, hazelnut). The specialties you really have to order but you may want to wait until you can come here and I will get Kym to bring her stock and you can try what we have. There is that Sugar Free store in Murfreesboro that Susan mentioned that may have some too.

Oh, Paula, thank you so much! I had asked about it on BE but I think it got lost in the many postings...anyway...that store in M'boro, It's All Sugarfree!, does have DaVinci but they are a little higher than most places. There is a website that sells then by the 12 pack, you can pick any flavors, for $4.30 a bottle. If you have the money and want to build a good stock, this would be the most economical way, even considering shipping costs. I think the site is Boba or something like that, can't remember exactly. I have banana, caramel, irish cream, malibu, coconut, vanilla, I am back ordered for some buttered rum. I plan on getting peach, toasted marshmallow, and watermelon soon. Well, gotta go ladies, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are calling my name!

I would love to have the web address for the cheaper DaVinci syrups. I currently get mine at "It's All Sugarfree" in Antioch. I pay $9.99 for the large bottle and I thought that was pretty good since there are no shipping costs. I do have an espresso machine that I use every day, some days several times. I have been making my own Cinnamon Dolce Latte and have become addicted to them. I love anything coffee!

It's www.lollicupstore.com. You can get some flavors for 3.99 but all others are 4.99. The 12 bottle order costs around $86 for shipping and handling added which works out to be around $7 per syrup. If anyone wanted to go into together to split the cost of shipping, I'd be interested. I am not sure how much shipping on just a couple of bottles would be but I can figure it out.

If you really want to learn how to make cappuccinos, lattes, etc. DO NOT get a "cheapo" espresso machine. The hardest thing about using the machine is learning how to froth the milk for cappuccino. This just takes practice. For lattes you only have to steam the milk so this would be a good one to start with. For the best results, you need a pump driven machine as opposed to a pressure driven machine. You will also need a frothing pitcher and, of course, coffee. I got my current machine at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $150. It's a DeLonghi which is one of the brands sold in Starbucks. The machine will come with complete directions and recipes. And, a big plus for us is that skim milk makes the best foam for cappuccino!

If you end up buying an expresso machine Starbucks sell them, they will train you.