Try these Hot Drinks for Cold Days

With these single digit temperatures, it’s always nice to snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa or a warm drink. Take advantage of some relaxation this winter break by trying out your own versions of the drinks instead of making the trek to Starbucks. Below are three recipes that you can make at home, for those nights when it’s too cold to go outside. 

First up is a recipe for a white chocolate latte. It serves 4 people — so make sure to round up some friends for a move marathon or a girls’ night.

Stir 2 cups of milk, 1 cup of half-and-half, 2/3 cup white chocolate morsels, and 2 tablespoons of instant coffee granules. Mix these ingredients on the stove in a small saucepan over low heat until the white chocolate morsels have melted. Next, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Pour evenly into 4 mugs. Feel free to top it off with whipped cream and put in a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately. This recipe can be found on myrecipes.com.

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/white-chocolate-latte-10000000701146/

The next recipe, from Country Living, is for spiced warm cider. This recipe will make eight 8-ounce servings.

In a 3-quart saucepan, combine ½ gallon apple cider, 1/3 cup of dark brown sugar, 2 sticks of cinnamon, 5 whole allspice berries, 1 (1/2 inch by 1/2 inch) chunk of fresh ginger that is peeled, and 3 whole cloves. Heat these ingredients to a simmer; then, cook for 20 minutes. Next, strain it into a bowl and serve warm. Feel free to add orange slices as garnishes to your servings.  

http://www.countryliving.com/recipefinder/spiced-warm-cider-3456

The third recipe is a hot chocolate mix. It is also from Country Living. This recipe will make 2 ¼ cups.

To make the mix put the following ingredients into a food processor with a metal blade: 3/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa, 6 ounces of chopped semisweet chocolate, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 ½ tablespoons of cinnamon, 1 ½ tablespoons of pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon of group clover.  With the mixture in the food processor, process the ingredients until the mixture is powdery. It will take about 30 seconds. Warning: Do not over-process the mixture. The mixture can be stored in an airtight container for 6 months.

http://www.countryliving.com/recipefinder/hot-chocolate-mix-3569

Next time it’s too cold to start the car and go get a warm drink, make one of these and stay inside. Enjoy!

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