With the cold winter months upon us, now is the time to re-discover warm drinks from years past. How long has it been since you had a cup of hot chocolate? Or made some mulled wine? We will be re-visiting our favorite from scratch hot drink recipes.
Hot Chocolate
By Judith Blakley
Ingredients
2 squares unsweetened or semisweet chocolate
1/3 cup sugar
4 cups milk
Directions
Break or chop the two squares of unsweetened or semisweet chocolate into smaller pieces.
In a saucepan, add: 2 chopped squares unsweetened or semisweet chocolate, 1/3 cup sugar and 2 cups milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously. Once the mixture comes to a boil, add the remaining 2 cups milk and heat all the way through. Do not allow the hot chocolate to come to another boil.
Remove from heat and serve immediately.
You may substitute 1/3 cup semisweet morsels for the 2 squares unsweetened or semisweet chocolate.
Mulled wine
Ingredients
2 bottles dry red wine
4 ounces port or brandy
12 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1 large orange, zested
Directions
Combine ingredients in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Do not allow mixture to boil. Heat for 20 minutes and serve in a large, heat resistant punch bowl.
Serving suggestion: Garnish with cinnamon sticks or freshly ground nutmeg
Mulled Apple cider
Ingredients
1gallon apple cider
2tablespoons whole allspice
2tablespoons whole cloves
5-6 cinnamon sticks
orange slices
additional cinnamon stick (optional)
Directions
Tie small spices in a small cheesecloth and drop into the cider; allow cinnamon to just go on its own. Heat mixture on the stove and simmer for at least 30 minutes before serving, stirring occasionally to agitate the spices. Float orange slices on top of the cider.
Pour into mugs and serve, with a cinnamon stick, if desired.
