Warm Drinks for Cold Days- Part 2

Good Morning, Beautiful People!

Oh my. I hope you are safe and warm in your home or job today! The ice and snow are wreaking havoc all over the place!!

Now is a great time to stay in your PJs, wrap up with a throw and sip on something warm and heavenly! Welcome to Part 2 of Warm Drinks for Cold Days. In case you missed Part 1, you can click here to get the recipes for some fabulous hot ciders and teas.

And, of course, who can do a post on hot drinks without including coffee, lattes and hot chocolate? Not me!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

This Pumpkin Spice Latte is a knock-off of the Starbucks version (from babble.com)! Who can resist- any time of year?

• 2 cups half and half, whole milk reduced fat or skim milk
• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
• 1 – 2 tablespoons sugar, stevia or splenda
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract, yes tablespoons
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1-4 shots espresso or very strong coffee (I double the amount of grounds I use per cup to get my strong coffee)

Brew your espresso or strong coffee. If brewing strong coffee, use double the amount of grounds you would in your regular coffee.

Combine half and half or milk, pumpkin, sugar, and pumpkin pie spices in a small saucepan. Heat until very hot, but do not boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Transfer to a blender or a milk frother and blend until frothy.

Pour 1 cup warm pumpkin milk mixture into coffee mug and add 1-4 coffee shots. Dust with more pumpkin pie spice if desired.

Makes about 1 – 2 servings.

Cinnamon Coffee

The recipe for Cinnamon Coffee from BHG.com:

In the pot of an electric drip coffeemaker combine hot brewed coffee, sugar, and stick cinnamon. Let stand for 10 minutes on the warming element.

Divide coffee mixture among six mugs. Stir about 1 tablespoon of the half-and-half into each mug of coffee. If desired, top with whipped cream and ground cinnamon.

And what would a round-up of hot drinks be without Hot Chocolate?!

Decisions, decisions… the many variations raised my blood sugar just reading about them! But the yumminess can’t be beat, especially after playing in the snow, or walking the dog in single-digit temps! Here are some old standards and new twists:

Classic Hot Chocolate

• 3 cups milk
• 6 oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped finely

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbles just begin to form around the edges, but don’t let the milk reach a rapid, rolling boil.

Stir in the chocolate until it melts. Remove the hot chocolate from the stove, and immediately pour it into mugs. Serve with marshmallows for an extra special treat.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Mexican Hot Chocolate from ivillage.com:

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• Marshmallows, for garnishing (optional)
• Whipped cream, for garnishing (optional)

In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the chocolate and cream over low heat. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in the milk, cinnamon and cayenne. Raise the heat to medium and continue cooking until very hot, but don’t let the mixture come to a boil.

Remove from the heat. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and the cocoa. Add about 1 cup of the hot milk mixture and whisk until a smooth paste is formed.

Whisk the cocoa paste back into the pot with the hot milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Pour into mugs and serve hot with whipped cream or marshmallows if desired.

And, finally… a yummy concoction called mocha that marries these two luscious flavors- coffee and chocolate:

Amaretto Mochaccino

 Amaretto Mochaccino from ivillage.com:

• 1 to 2 ounces chocolate syrup
• 4 to 5 ounces steamed milk
• 2 ounces hot, fresh espresso or strong coffee
• 1/2 ounce almond-flavored syrup or amaretto
• Whipped cream, for garnish
• Chocolate sauce, for garnish

Pour the chocolate syrup and steamed milk into a 12–ounce cappuccino mug or tempered glass mug, and froth the mixture. (If you prefer to use a frothing jug, then pour into a mug once the frothing is completed.)

Slowly add the espresso and almond syrup to the frothed chocolate milk.Top with a dollop of whipped cream, and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this round-up of hot drinks.

Maybe these will get us both through winter!

Have a truly fabulous day!