The holidays mean lots of colder weather for many people. Having some warm drinks on hand for holiday celebrations will be a welcome addition to any Christmas or New Years gathering this year. From mulled drinks to easy ways to spruce up hot chocolate, there’s alot you can do to make the holidays a bit warmer as well as tasty!
Mulled Drinks
Mulling drinks is just putting together a combination of herbs and spices and then adding them to your warm beverage as it heats. It’s usually a mixture of allspice, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and some citrus slices or zest. Once it’s been simmered, you then strain out the spices and serve.
Mulled Apple Cider and Rum
Mix together the mulling spices mentioned above and add them to a pot of apple cider. Heat this combination to a simmer for approximately 5 minutes or so, and then strain. Add a shot of rum and you’re good to go!
Mulled Wine
Inexpensive but decent red wine is the way to go for this recipe. Pour the wine into a pot and add your mulling spices. Then heat it to a simmer for 5 minutes.. Strain and serve.
Hot Buttered Rum
Start with a teaspoon of sugar in a cup, add 1 oz. of rum of your choice and 1/2 oz. of butter, and cloves to taste. Heat some hot water to a simmer and pour into the cup. Stir until butter is melted and the aroma of the cloves abound! Yum!
We’ve all heard of this one before right? Sometimes these old standbys are just what the doctor ordered. This is a combination of hot water, honey or sugar, lemon juice, and whiskey or brandy, whichever you prefer. If you like it a bit sweeter, try adding some maple syrup to the mixture.
Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Sticks
Who gets tired of a chocolate and mint combination? Heat up your favorite hot chocolate and use a stick or two of peppermint candy to stir it with until it melts.
Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Disks
For even more sweet stuff in your hot chocolate you could try adding a cinnamon disk and stir until melted, as opposed to just sprinkling plain unsweetened cinnamon powder.
Hot Chocolate with Flavored Syrups
There are a number of really great berry flavored syrups you can find at the some of the more upscale grocery stores. I’ve seen strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry to name a few. You can add these to your hot chocolate for a different variation of this classic hot beverage.
Hot Chocolate combined with Filled Chocolates
A friend of mine just suggested this combination for a new twist to drinking hot chocolate. Buy a box of your favorite chocolates then add these favorites to your hot chocolate. Stir well until melted and enjoy!
When serving your guests hot chocolate, be sure to have all these festive tasty options displayed on the table for easy access.
Heating up your holidays with warm tasty beverages is a good way to add to the holiday cheer! Enjoy!
Sources
http://www.slashfood.com/2006/11/30/holiday-drinks/
