One of the best things about coming home from a cold winter activity is warming up with a steaming hot drink. Many of the following hot drink recipes start with an easy homemade hot chocolate drink mix you can keep on hand all winter long. So stoke that fire, grab a warm and fuzzy fleece blanket, and serve these delicious hot drink recipes while cuddling with your honey.
Hot Drink Recipes Tip #1 – When using dry homemade drink mixes, always stir ingredients before using to ensure flavors are mixed.
Basic Hot Chocolate Dink Mix
2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups powdered sugar
10 cups instant nonfat powdered milk
One 6 ounce jar powdered nondairy creamer
1 bag mini marshmallows
Thoroughly mix all ingredients in large bowl. Seal tightly in a container and store in a cool dry place. To make a cup of hot chocolate, first stir dry mix to ensure ingredients are well blended. Add 3-4 heaping teaspoons homemade hot chocolate mix to one cup of hot water and stir well. For a creamier taste, add mix to one cup of hot milk. Yields 17 cups dry mix.
Fireside Cocoa Coffee Mix
Contributed by my sister, Mandy
1 package (3 quart size) non-fat dry milk
3 cups powdered sugar
6 ounces non-dairy creamer
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 ounces instant coffee powder
16 ounces plus 1 cup instant chocolate milk mix
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Store mix in airtight container. Combine 2-3 tablespoons of mix with a mug of very hot water. Can be garnished with whipped cream.
Hot Drink Recipes Tip #2 – Try adding these ingredients to your cup of hot chocolate for a different taste: ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, a sprinkle of nutmeg, mini chocolate chips, a drop of vanilla extract, or 1 teaspoon flavored coffee creamer such as cinnamon vanilla or amaretto.
Alcoholic Hot Drink Recipes
Russian Hot Chocolate
2 ounces Kahlua coffee liqueur
1 ounce vodka
1 cup hot chocolate made from milk
Pour Kahlua and vodka into mug. Add hot chocolate. Stir.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
2 ounces Peppermint Schnapps
1 cup hot chocolate made with milk
Whipped cream
Pour Peppermint Schnapps into mug. Add hot chocolate and stir. Garnish with whipped cream.
Butterscotch Hot Chocolate
2 ounces Butterscotch Schnapps
1 cup hot chocolate made with milk
Whipped cream, optional
Pour Butterscotch Schnapps into mug. Add hot chocolate and stir. Garnish with whipped cream if desired.
Bun Warmer
¾ ounce Apricot Brandy
¾. Pour in mug and add hot apple cider. Stir.
Swedish Glogg (pronounced gloog)
This recipe is more complex to make, but worth the effort. Originally adapted from a recipe by Craig Goldwyn, an artist and writer from Chicago.
1.5 liter bottle of dry red wine
1.5 liter bottle of port
1 bottle of inexpensive brandy
10 pieces of stick cinnamon
1 tablespoon cardamom seeds
2 dozen whole cloves
Peel of one orange
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup blanched almonds
2 cups sugar
A second orange peel for garnishing
Pour red wine and port into stainless steel or porcelain pot. Add cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, orange peel, raisins, and almonds. Warm gently; do not boil as this burns off the alcohol.
Place sugar in a separate pan. Soak with half the bottle of brandy. Warm sugar and brandy over low heat. Let sugar melt and bubble until it becomes a golden syrup of caramelized sugar.
Add caramelized sugar to spiced wine mix. Cover and let mull for an hour. Before serving, strain to remove spices; add brandy to taste. Warm gently over low heat or add to crock-pot set on low. Garnish mugs of Glogg with fresh orange peel.
Substitutions: substitute dried cherries for raisins, use whiskey or bourbon in place or brandy, or use brown sugar instead of white sugar.
Hot Drink Recipes Tip #3 – Do not use aluminum or copper pots when heating alcoholic beverages. Alcohol interacts with these metals, producing a metallic taste.
Non-alcoholic Hot Drink Recipes
Cinnamon Cider
4 cups apple cider or apple juice
¼. Simmer four minutes or until candies are dissolved. Can be served hot or cold.
Russian Tea
2 cups instant orange drink mix
1 quart lemonade mix
1 ½ to 2 cups sugar
1 cup instant tea
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon cloves
Mix all ingredients well. Store in airtight container. Mix one to two tablespoons into eight ounces very hot water.
Minted Cider Punch
From the Michigan Apple Committee
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
¼. Place over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Strain cooled mint mixture into 2-quart pitcher. Add remaining ingredients. May be served hot or over ice.
Hot Drink Recipes Tip #4 – Add boiling water to mugs to warm them in preparation for your hot beverage. Empty just before adding one of these hot drink recipes.
