I have been looking around for an instant hot drink that has some caffeine for a little afternoon pick-me-up. I like a strong con leche (cuban coffee with steamed milk) in the afternoon but obviously that's not an option on the trail.

I just hit on this stuff and I'm impressed. A bit sweet but mighty tasty. A tad pricey but all natural ingredients. This may be the start of a new afternoon paddling ritual. Just boil some water. Bada bing!

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If you WANT coffee, then HAVE coffee.

I do have a coffee press when there are others on my trip that are coffee drinkers, but when solo or I'm the only coffee drinker, I make a single cup (HOWEVER, my cup is one of the 20 ounce, insulated models).

So, if you have hot water, just drop in a coffee bag.  Since I haven't been impressed with the commercially available ones, I make my own using the   (You need to Login or Register product.  So, I just make my own ... put in my favorite coffee, fold over the top, sometimes put a small clothes pin on the fold (did I say I'm into multi-use?), and drop in a cup of hot water.  Wait a couple of minutes, and viola.  Of late, however, I've taken to making enough bags for a trip (with a few extras) in advance and running the folds through my sewing machine. to close them.  Just be a bit careful if you do this because the sew line acts something like a "tear-here" strip ... makes for easy emptying later.  Once dried, the bags make pretty good fire starter.  As always, dispose of trash responsibly.

Sorry, I can't help you with the steamed milk! ;)

dd

Crystal Light and others make caffenated drink mixes. Just read the labels. That's what I use in the PM. ;)

Let me try again. I will leave off the preamble.  

Try this, it's really good!
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I have a serious Starbucks Chai addiction, so I will definitely give this a try. I've tested some of the other powdered variations in the past, but most are too sweet and lack the spice. There should be a fine balance between the two. Looking forward to trying this one. Thanks for the tip!

It is a bit sweet Ranger, but passed muster with the starbucks chai tea sippers in my house. I typically don't drink much chai but I think it might be ideal for an afternoon drink on the trail. Something a bit different.

I crave sugar anyway when I'm tripping so I think this will fit the bill nicely.

mastertangler wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2010 at 6:57pm:

Let me try again. I will leave off the preamble.   Try this, it's really good!   (You need to Login or Register

Without the preamble, you have changed the question...

Are you looking for coffee or tea or ____? Caff?

My bad. It does sound like I'm asking for advice doesn't it? I was merely relating the process I went through to finally hit on this drink. I'm really quite pleased with it. I also got some of their hot chocolate.

Now I just have to be careful not to drink it all right away.  ;)

DentonDoc wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2010 at 6:22pm:

If you WANT coffee, then HAVE coffee.

Heehee!  My thoughts as well.  I like coffee.  Black.  Not too hot.

That chai does look nice.