7 Hot drinks to warm your week

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Makes 16 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 cups nonfat powdered milk

1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer (plain or flavored)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, being sure to fully combine. Store in an airtight container. To make one serving, mix 1/4 cup of the mix with 3/4 cup of boiling water. Garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows, or a chocolate kiss. Store extra cocoa mix in a mason jar or another airtight container.

Variations: Add a healthy dash of cinnamon or chili powder to the mix for a spicy kick. Stir in a drop of vanilla or almond extract when ready to serve. Substitute half of the granulated sugar with brown sugar. Swirl cocoa with a candy cane and leave the cane hooked to the side of the mug. Add a pour of Irish cream, coffee liqueur, or chocolate liqueur for an even warmer libation.

No Espresso Machine Mocha

Courtesy of Shay Pausa of SheKnowsTV and Chikii

2 Servings

Ingredients: 

1 cup brewed coffee

3/4 cup nonfat milk or light soy milk

2 tablespoons nonfat dried milk powder

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon Splenda

Directions: 

In a blender, mix ingredients until frothy, 30 to 60 seconds. Pour into your favorite cup and microwave for 30 seconds.

Variation: For a latte version, omit cocoa powder.

Irish Coffee

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

2 cups hot coffee

2 teaspoons brown sugar, separated

2 jiggers Irish whiskey, any flavor, separated

Heavy cream, whipped or whipped cream

Cinnamon

Directions:

Pour coffee into two glass mugs. Mix 1 teaspoon of brown sugar into coffee and stir until it fully dissolves. Pour 1 jigger of whiskey into each mug and gently stir. Top each mug with a spoonful of whipped cream. Dust with cinnamon. Serve piping hot. 

Hot Spiced Cider

Makes 16 servings

Ingredients:

3 quarts apple cider

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 large orange, quartered with peel on (optional)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a large saucepot. Let mixture boil, stirring occasionally. Pour mixture through a strainer, discarding solids, into mugs or a pitcher. Serve hot.

Hot Buttered Rum

Recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse and The Food Network

Makes 10 to 12 Servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

2 cups light brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Pinch ground cloves

Pinch salt

Bottle dark rum

Boiling water

Directions:

In a bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Refrigerate until almost firm. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture into 12 small mugs. Pour about 3 ounces of rum into each mug (filling about halfway). Top with boiling water (to fill the remaining half), stir well, and serve immediately.

Egg Nog Latte

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 egg, at room temperature

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

3/4 cup hot milk

1 ounce dark rum, divided

1 ounce brandy, divided

Powered cinnamon or cinnamon stick

Directions:

Whisk or blend egg and sugar until frothy. Slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture, whisking the entire time, be sure not to let egg cook. Pour mixture into mugs and top off with rum and brandy. Dust mixture with cinnamon or stir with a cinnamon stick.

Hot Toddy

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

2 tea bags

2 tablespoons honey

4 jiggers brandy

Fresh lemon slices

Directions:

Fill two mugs 3/4 of the way full of hot water and add teabags. Dunk the bags up and down then set aside to brew. When tea is brewed, remove bags and mix 1 tablespoon of honey into each mug. Pour 2 jiggers of brandy into each mug and stir. Garnish with lemon slices.