A warm drink makes a cold night cozier. Whether it’s right after you’ve built the biggest snowman in the neighborhood or just before you nod off for the evening - a hot, soothing sipper can be a welcoming change from everyday coffee and tea.
When you add the warmth of twinkling lights, a crisp blanket of snow, and the laughter of family and friends - you have a perfect winter holiday night.
Beverages brewed for this time of year can be as traditional as a hot toddy for Santa or as common as a hot cocoa for Mrs. Claus. As long as they’re warm enough to melt the season’s chill, and clear a stuffy head, either will do.
Many hot drinks can be made from ingredients already in your pantry cupboard or refrigerator. Most fruit juices can be spiced up with cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice – and all you need for milk is some chocolate, flavored extract and whipped cream.
When preparing hot drinks for a crowd, you’ll need a large saucepan or crockpot for simmering. But if you’re only preparing beverages for a few a microwave oven will do the trick.
If using a microwave, ovenproof glass measures in one- and two-quart sizes are ideal for heating and serving, but you must remember to stir beverages occasionally while heating so they will heat more evenly and not boil over. (Milk-based beverages are particularly susceptible to this.) A quick stir before drinking will also eliminate any ‘explosive’ hotspots.
Aside from choosing the right flavor combination, nothing makes a warm beverage more appealing than serving it in a decorative mug and adding a colorful garnish. Who can resist hot chocolate with marshmallow cream, but add a peppermint stick and you have an instant hit. For fruit based sippers, orange and lemon slices stuck with cloves or cinnamon stick stirrers are equally attractive.
Clear glass mugs are particularly attractive this time of year because it’s the beverage that provides the color. Add a few Christmas cookies, chocolate candies or pieces of fruit and your break from the blustery breezes will be even more comforting.
THE BASICS
A hot drink can be as simple as simmering chocolate milk with a dollop of marshmallow or heating cider with a stick of cinnamon. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Heat the mug or cup first. Fill it with hot water, then discard when you’re ready to assemble the drink.
Be sure to use heat-resistant ceramic or glass cups that can hold the heat and handle a quick re-heating, if needed.
Don’t heat any alcohol directly – the alcohol will vaporize and the flavor will change.
Healthy ingredients for hot drinks include dark chocolate, red wine, apples, cinnamon, skim or lowfat milk.
Put your microwave oven and crockpot to good use – one can heat single drinks instantly while the other can satisfy a crowd and keep beverages warm indefinitely.
Use brown liquors for a touch of alcohol. Dark rum, bourbon, scotch and brandy are all good.
Tea, coffee, red wine and pomegranate juice are particularly good mixers because they are highly tannic and add depth to a hot beverage.
Small equipment that will come in handy include a wire whisk and strainer.
PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE
2 ½ cups milk
2 tablespoons sugar
4 squares (4 ounces) bittersweet or dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
candy cane stick, for garnish
mini-marshmallows, for garnish
Whisk together milk and sugar and heat in saucepan over medium heat; bring to boil. Remove from heat and add chocolate; whisk until smooth.
Stir in extract and pour into mugs. Garnish with marshmallows and/or cinnamon stick. Makes 2 servings.
CRANBERRY APPLE WASSAIL
6 cups cranberry juice cocktail
2 cups apple juice
4 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon ginger
orange slices, garnish
whole cloves, garnish
Combine all ingredients except garnishes in saucepan. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Strain to remove spices.
Pour into serving mugs. Garnish with orange slices studded with cloves. Makes about 8 servings.
SPICED CIDER
2 quarts apple cider
3 cinnamon sticks
40 whole cloves
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups fresh orange juice
½ cup fresh lemon juice
2 strips orange peel
Boil cider, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg together for 15 minutes. Add juices and orange peel. Pour through sieve and serve hot. Makes 9 cups.
HOT ‘N SPICY LEMONADE
3 ½ cups water
½ cup fresh lemon juice
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
10 whole cloves
8 whole allspice
2 sticks cinnamon
Combine all ingredients in a 1-quart glass measure. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH for 4 minutes or until hot, stirring halfway through cooking time.
Let stand, uncovered, 15 minutes; discard spices. Microwave 4 more minutes or until hot. Makes 4 cups.
