Fall/Winter Drinks
Brrrr! It’s getting awfully cold now that fall is slipping away and winter is slowly starting to creep its way in. With the way our planet’s temperature seems to be changing due to global warming, this winter will definitely be a chilly, possibly one so severe that it’ll require cashmere sweaters, boots, scarves, gloves, and even toe socks. Now what better way is there to warm up those cold fingers and toes than with a cup of rich, warm goodness to go combat the bone chilling nights?
1. Good Ol’ Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Serves 4
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 quart milk
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Salt
• Whipped cream
Directions
1. Put cocoa powder in a saucepan and then stir in milk a bit at a time until the powder liquefies. Once it has completely liquefied, add in chocolate chips and melt over medium heat, making sure to occasionally stir or else it will burn.
2. Once everything has melted and blended together remove from stove top and stir in vanilla along with a pinch of salt. Topping it with whipped cream is optional but doing so gives an overall more pleasing appearance.

2. Steamed Milk
Ingredients
Serves 6
• 6 tablespoons honey
• 1 quart milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 whole cloves
• Freshly grated nutmeg
Directions
1. Place 1 tablespoon of honey in each of six glasses then set these cups aside. In a saucepan, scald some milk over medium heat until small bubbles start to appear around the edges of the milk. Once the bubbles are visible remove from heat and add in cinnamon and cloves. After they’ve steeped for around 20 minutes, return the mixture to high heat until it boils.
2. Once it has boiled remove mixture from heat and discard all the cloves. Transfer the hot milk to a blender but only fill up the blender till its half full, then whip on high speed until frothy.
3. Pour into drinking glasses and add in honey and nutmeg if desired.

3. Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Serves 6
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 quart milk
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (3 ounces)
• 7 peppermint sticks; 3 crushed (1/4 cup), 4 left whole
• Pinch of salt
Directions
1. Place cocoa in a medium saucepan, and gradually whisk in milk, chocolate chips and crushed peppermint until blended. Then simmer mixture over medium heat until chocolate and peppermint have melted completely.
2. Once it boils, immediately remove from heat and add a pinch of salt. Now it’s ready to be served with peppermint sticks.

4. Chai Tea with Soy Milk
Ingredients
Serves 4
• 3 cups water
• 10 whole green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 5 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped
• 1/3 cup honey
• 4 black tea bags
• 1 1/2 cups soy milk
Directions
1. Place water in a saucepan; add in cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla beans, and scrapings. On high heat, wait until it boils and then reduce heat to low, and simmer until mixture is aromatic. Add in honey and tea bags and then turn off the heat and let steep for 3 minutes.
2. Strain tea through a fine strainer or a coffee filter into a warmed serving pot. Heat soy milk in same saucepan over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes; be careful not to let it come to a boil or it will separate. Pour into serving pot with the tea and serve immediately.

5. Hot Cocoa with Almond Milk
Ingredients
Serves 4
• 4 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cinnamon sticks, split lengthwise
• 1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 2 ounces dark chocolate (preferably at least 70 percent cacao), finely chopped
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
Directions
1. Bring milk and cinnamon sticks to a boil over medium heat. Once it boils, reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Afterward, remove cinnamon sticks to be rinsed and set aside for later.
2. Throw the cocoa, chocolate, sugar, and salt into the milk and cinnamon mixture; whisking vigorously until mixture is foamy. Serve garnished with previously used cinnamon sticks.

6. Mulled Cider
Ingredients
Serves 8
• 2 quarts apple cider (8 cups)
• 4 strips lemon zest
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 whole star anise (optional)
• 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
Directions
1. In a saucepan, bring cider, lemon zest, and spices to a boil. Once it has boiled, remove from heat and cover the mixture to steep for at least 20 minutes. When serving, try to pour carefully to leave behind the solids.

7. Mulled Cranberry Cocktail (not alcoholic)
Ingredients
Makes 1 quart
• 1 quart cranberry juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons water
Directions
1. In a saucepan, combine the juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Wait until it boils then reduce heat and let simmer.
2. In another saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons water. Stir over medium-low heat until the cranberries pop.
3. While the mixture cooks, thread 3 to 4 uncooked berries on decorative skewers. Pour the hot cranberry cocktail into four glasses, and garnish with cranberry skewers.