As the chill sets in this winter, be prepared to fight it with warming winter drinks enjoyed best in the comfort of your loved ones.
Here are three easy to prepare, delicious recipes to beat the cold as you get together with family and friends during the holiday season.
IRISH WHISKEY HOT CHOCOLATE
What is better than savoring a cup of hot cocoa on a cold day? How about celebrating winters with a round of rich hot chocolate that’s got an extra lick of warmth and kick of flavor?
Ingredients (4 servings)
1 (12 oz.) bottle Guinness
1/4 cup Cocoa powder
1 tablespoon granulated Sugar
Pinch of kosher Salt
3 cups whole Milk
1/2 cup milk Chocolate chips
1/2 cup bittersweet Chocolate chips
1/2 cup Irish Cream
1/2 cup Irish Whiskey
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, cook Guinness over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, until reduced to 1/2 cup.
Set aside.
In a saucepan, stir cocoa, sugar and salt. Stir in milk, milk chocolate chips and bittersweet chocolate chips.
Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture is hot.
Gently whisk to completely homogenize mixture. Do not let it come to a boil.
Add Irish cream, Guinness mixture and whiskey.
Using a hand blender, whisk or milk frother, blend until frothy.
Pour into individual mugs and serve immediately.
HOT (BROWN) BUTTERED RUM
This sweet, warm drink is a wintertime classic and the perfect accompaniment for a night out or an evening in front of the fireplace.
Since this drink takes a little extra work, you may want to keep a batch of the dry mix pre-blended for quick access.
Ingredients (25 servings)
3 cups brown Sugar
1/2 cup unsalted Butter
3 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp Vanilla extract
1 tsp ground Nutmeg
1 tsp ground Allspice
1 tsp ground Cinnamon
1 ½ oz. Rum per serving
Garnish
Cinnamon sticks
Preparation
Hot Buttered Rum Mix
Mix brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon with a beater until everything is blended together.
Store in an air-tight jar until needed.
To Make Hot Buttered Rum Drink From The Mix
Melt butter in a saucepan, stirring on low heat until brown and then remove immediately from the stove.
Blend browned butter, brown sugar and honey together with a beater slowly, gradually adding vanilla extract and the dry spices until thoroughly mixed.
Pour 1 ½ ounces of rum (light or dark) into serving mugs or Irish coffee glasses.
Add a heaped spoonful of the hot buttered rum mixture.
Fill with hot water (not boiling) and stir well.
Garnish with a stick of cinnamon and serve.
BOURBON WASSAIL
Wassailing is an old English farmers drinking ritual to celebrate and pray for good health and a successful harvest in the coming year. The drink too is nothing short of experiencing an orchard in a mug.
The recipe calls for apples, oranges, lemons and even some pineapple. Since fruits were historically holiday treats in cold northern climates, the drink continues to make the perfect addition to any party, in a winter punch bowl.
Ingredients (12 servings)
12 whole Cloves
6 whole Allspice
1/2 inch fresh Ginger root, peeled and sliced
3 Cinnamon sticks
12 whole white Peppercorns
1 gallon fresh Apple cider
3/4 cup Cranberry juice
3/4 cup light Brown sugar, packed
1 ½ cups Bourbon
Tip: You can also vary the recipe by adding orange, pineapple or apricot juice to your Wassail recipe
Garnish
Ground Nutmeg and 1 Cinnamon stick per drink
Preparation
Wrap cloves, allspice, ginger, cinnamon sticks and peppercorns in a cheesecloth.
In a large pot, heat the cider, cranberry juice, brown sugar and spice bag, stirring occasionally.
Bring Wassail to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for thirty minutes.
Take off the heat and let cool until drinkable but still piping hot.
Add bourbon and stir before pouring into mugs.
Serve hot and garnish with a dusting of nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.
Tip: If you want to make the Wassail a centerpiece at your party, pour the finished product into an electric slow cooker and garnish with cinnamon sticks, cut up oranges and lemon slices and keep on low heat for a warm punch that guests can serve themselves.
Tell us which of these drinks you'll be serving at your next party?
Source: Torontolife.com, Seriouseats.com, Cocktails.about.com, Amazon.com, Allrecipes.com, Imbibemagazine.com, Theparisreview.org
Feature Image: Joystiq.com
Irish Whiskey Cocoa Image: Seriouseats.com
Buttered Rum Image: Cocktails.about.com
Wassail Image: Blog.fatfreevegan.com
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