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Share a Straw - Holiday Cheers!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

”Think






Cheers!

Share a Spoon Straw:  Holiday Edition

My ever faithful #ShareaSpoon buddy Kim over at Mo' Betta asked for holiday drink recipes and I was thrilled!  There are so many specialty drinks for the holidays.  Everything from hot cocoa to Champagne Punch to EGG NOG.  So when @kimslittlelife suggested this theme I went to work on a special button for the festivities!

This is only the second time we've done specialty drinks but you lushes Smackers seem to get excited about it!  *wink*

I'm not a big EGG NOG fan.  But then, I am more of a clear liquids kind of gal. I do however, make a mean cup of cocoa and some fierce mulled apple cider.  Both can be dressed up for the adults with the addition of a bit of alcohol, or served nekked for the kiddos!

We decorated our Christmas Tree Sunday evening and we all enjoyed a nice cup of Peppermint Hot Cocoa while adorning the tree with lights and ornaments.  Now, you can certainly make that stuff in a packet if you want to, but for special occasions, you have got to bust out the good stuff.  It's really worth it, and when your loved ones faces light up and they have a big whipped cream mustache??  That's a memory worth making!

Momma B's Peppermint Hot Cocoa

1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 cup boiling hot water
4 cups 2% milk
1/2 cup (roughly) half-n-half
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Garnish
Whipped Cream
marshmallows
Crushed soft peppermints

In a medium sauce pan over medium heat combine sugar, cocoa and salt.  Pour in boiling water and stir until mixture looks like liquid chocolate.  Continue stirring until the mixture starts to just barely bubble.  Do not allow to scorch.



Add the milk.  Continue to cook over medium heat until the milk is scalded and hot.  Do not boil or allow the cocoa to burn.  Stir regularly to avoid scorching.

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.

This makes four large mugs of cocoa.  In the bottom of your mugs pour equal amounts of the 1/2 cup of half-n-half.  This will add a creaminess to the cocoa and help cool the cocoa to drinkable temperature. 

For adults:  You can skip the half-n-half and add 1-2 oz. of Creme de Menthe or Creme de Cacao.

This hot cocoa also makes a fabulous Peppermint Mocha when you add a shot or two of espresso.  Or add to a cup of freshly brewed coffee for those of you who drink copious amounts of hot caffeine!

Garnish with fresh whipped cream, marshmallows and crushed soft peppermints.



Hot Mulled Apple Cider

4 cups apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
5-6 whole cloves
1-2 peels of orange

Peel off a few pieces of orange rind.  Do not include the pith (whites).  This is bitter.  If you want you can zest the orange and just strain the cider through cheesecloth before serving.

Over medium heat, warm the cider with orange peel, cinnamon sticks and cloves for 20 minutes.  I use a mesh strainer when pouring the cider into mugs.

For adults:  Pour a good dark spiced rum, or regular dark rum about 2oz. in the bottom of the mug before adding cider.

Garnish with a fresh slice of orange and a cinnamon stick.


For those of you looking for something a bit cooler and a bit more "cocktail" beverage I have an Italian Festive drink for you as well. 

Sgroppino

3 Tablespoons lemon sorbet
1 oz Vodka
1/2 cup Prosecco (Italian Sparkling wine)

In a champagne flute, add lemon sorbet and top with vodka.  Stir.  Pour Prosecco over the sorbet mixture.  Garnish with lemon twist or fresh mint.


Remember that this time of year is about making memories and making memories that count!  Going that little bit extra to make a meal, a drink, or a treat special makes a difference and goes a long way towards making memories!

Enjoy!

Don't forget to go here and get your extra entry for my giveaway for Sharing your Straw today!

I have a huge review and giveaway to announce tomorrow that you definitely won't want to miss!  I'm SUPER excited about this and you will be too!  Swearsies!





14 comments:

Anonymous said...

If I think of a drink recipe I'll post it! But I just never make them.. Much easier to buy them! =)

Kim of Mo Betta said...

Big grins over here :D All these drinks sound fantastic. The first two are my favorite holiday drinks (next to the champagne punch of course). I had a peppermint mocha from Starbucks yesterday and thought...I'm sure I could make this at home (for a lot less than 5 bucks a cup!). I LOVE the SaS button!!

Ducky said...

Can't wait to try! Yummy!!!!

Buffee said...

The peppermint cocoa. . . Oh.my.goodness! The bestest stuff EVER! We had it while decorating the Christmas tree! New family favorite! I like mine with extra smarshsmellows!

June said...

I actually made it to the party!!
The peppermint hot cocoa sounds so sweet & yummy. My sweet tooth is KILLING ME!!

Michelle Pixie said...

Oh how yummy! I can't wait to make your peppermint cocoa! And of course I will turn it into a peppermint mocha. Nom Nom Nom

Jessi said...

Those all sound good! And thanks for hosting...I love find new drink recipes.

Meeko Fabulous said...

Mmmmm! That hot mulled apple cider sounds delish!!!

SurferWife said...

Not a fan of the last two but my mouth is watering for the first one. UN-NEKKID please.

Yum.

Shell said...

Your drinks look so good! I put apple cider in the crockpot with 2 oranges, sliced in half and 2 cinnamin sticks and warm.

Supposed to have the cloves or some sort of spice thing in there, but we like it simple.

And then maybe a splash of apple vodka.

Babes Mami said...

I need to get some drink ingredients now!

Go Mommy said...

Ooo, those sound so YUMMY!

Andrea said...

You are totally killing me with just your own recipes. Oh mah heavens. LOVE LOVE LOVE warm drinks, holiday drinks, hot stuff, ahhh. I think I need something now!

Gabi said...

That sounds delish! Can't wait to try it.

I never make drinks. Beer is my drink of choice. Sorry I can't contribute. Maybe next week. :)