It is time for the holidays! As the weather gets cooler, we need something to warm us up and get us into the holiday spirit. Try one of these drinks, perfect for the holidays and cozying up with friends, family or someone special.
Egg Nogg
This eggnog recipe uses cooked eggs and a few other simple ingredients to make an instant classic.
Ingredients:
1-1/3 cups milk
1-1/3 cups cream or half n half
4 egg yolks
2/3 cup of sugar
1-1/2 whole cloves or ¾ tsp of clove powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
A sprinkle of nutmeg
Directions:
On the lowest setting, slowly heat milk in a saucepan. Add ½ tsp of vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves and bring to a boil (about 7 minutes).
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar. Slowly stir in the milk mixture from above and pour everything back into the saucepan. Cook and stir frequently on medium/low heat until thick. Do not boil. If using whole cloves, strain the mixture.
Then take the saucepan off of heat and allow to cool. After it has cooled down, stir in the cream, rest of the vanilla and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
Apple Cider
This traditional holiday drink will surely warm you up on the coldest winter night.
Ingredients:
4 cups apple cider
2 tbs maple syrup
1 cinnamon stick
4 cloves
4 strips of orange peel
4 strips of lemon peel
One apple, cut into thin strips
Goes well with:
Oatmeal cookies
Dinner
Directions:
Combine apple cider and maple syrup in a large saucepan on medium heat. Stir continuously.
Wrap the cinnamon stick, cloves, orange peels and lemon peels in cheesecloth and tie with string.
Drop the spice packet into the cider and heat the cider until hot but not boiling.
Remove the spice bag, and pour the delicious cider into mugs.
Drop in apple slices just before serving.
Serve warm or refrigerate for 1 hour and serve cold.
Nutella Cocoa
Turn a plain packet of hot chocolate into something extra with a hazelnut twist.
Ingredients:
Four packets of hot chocolate
5 cups milk
5 tbsp of Nutella
Cinnamon powder
A hand full of Marshmallows
Goes well with:
A Waffle
Christmas movies
Directions:
In a saucepan, heat milk until boiling. Turn off stove.
Whisk together hot chocolate packets into milk. Stir continuously.
Stir in Nutella and whisk it in until combined and frothy. This may take a while so consider using an egg-beater to speed up the process. Consistency is key.
Ladle into mugs.
Sprinkle with a little cinnamon powder.
Add marshmallows and serve hot.
Curl up in front of the TV with the waffle, the hot nutella cocoa and watch a Christmas movie.
Peppermint Mocha
This holiday drink is close to the peppermint mocha from Starbucks, but for almost half the cost.
Ingredients:
12 tbsps cocoa powder
12 tbsp warm water
6 tbsp peppermint syrup*
16 oz espresso
Chocolate sprink
48 oz steamed milk (heat milk in the microwave if you cannot steam milk)
Whipped cream to garnish
Directions:
In a mug, combine cocoa powder and warm water.
Add espresso, peppermint syrup, and steamed milk.
Garnish with chocolate sprinkles and cream, enjoy!
*Recipe for peppermint syrup:
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 tsp peppermint extract
Directions:
Combine sugar and water in saucepan over low heat.
Stir until melted.
Add peppermint extract and simmer for 30 minutes.
Gingerbread Latte
Similar to the peppermint mocha, this easy recipe uses espresso, milk and a simple syrup.
Ingredients:
12 tbsp warm water
6 tbsp gingerbread syrup*
16 oz espresso
48 oz steamed milk (heat mild in the microwave if you cannot steam milk)
Whipped cream to garnish
Goes well with:
Gingerbread houses
Directions:
In a mug, combine water, espresso, syrup, and steamed milk.
Garnish and enjoy!
*Recipe for gingerbread syrup:
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
Directions:
Combine sugar and water in saucepan over low heat.
Stir the sugar until it has melted.
Add ground ginger and simmer for 30 minutes