Archive for Hot Drinks

Recently,there was a request at Idea Offer for a good cocktail that has coffee as an ingredient.  The winning choice was an interesting drink called Keoki Coffee.

The winning poster was sjks0427 (catchy handle!), and this is what he/she wrote:

There is a really good drink called a Keoki Coffee which has Kahlua, dark rum, brandy and creme de cacao (quarter shot of each), then add coffee and top with whipped cream. Very yummy. A lot of bars offer a version of this that include only 3 of the 4 liquors, but the original version is as stated above.

The recipe sounds like a winning concoction, and one I will be trying it this coming weekend!

Two weeks ago, the editors at Parched No More posted their top ten choices for Thanksgiving cocktails.  As hard as it was to narrow the list down to ten drinks, it seemed daunting to choose one favorite.  With a variety of drinks from which to choose, including martinis, a margarita, a frappe, a cider drink, an eggnog, and a wine-tail, the options seemed overwhelming.

However, polling has ended, and our readers have spoken.  We are pleased to announce that the Pumkinlicious Martini from ECO-BAR was chosen as the favorite drink for Thanksgiving.  In order to create this delicious beverage for your Turkey Day celebration, we have posted the recipe below. (more…)

With three weeks until Thanksgiving, many people have begun planning their menus:  appetizers, dinner, and dessert.  Not to be forgotten are the beverages that you serve.  While you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Chenin Blanc or Shiraz, a little mixing, shaking, and blending can infuse a little more fun into your holiday.

We solicited recipes for Thanksgiving-inspired cocktails.  Our editors have chosen their ten favorite and now are seeking our readers’ thoughts.  Which cocktail is the most tantalizing for Turkey Day?  Read their descriptions, then cast your vote.

1. Gobble-Tini- (Smirnoff Cranberry Twist, Chambord, & cranberry juice) Courtesy of SMIRNOFF

2. Pumkinlicious Martini (TRU Organic Vanilla Vodka, pumpkin spice liqueur, butterscotch schnapps, Kahlua,  half-and-half, & crushed graham crackers for rimming) Courtesy of ECO-BAR

3. Maple Cinnamon Nog (Bourbon, clove & cinnamon infused maple syrup, spiced rum, egg white, & cream) Courtesy of Deborah Harris of Harbour Restaurant

4. Hot Rum Cider (apple cider, orange juice concentrate, lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, whole cloves, coriander seeds, whole nutmeg, & Zaya Rum) Courtesy of Zaya Rum

5. Carrot-Ginger Martini (Stoli Vodka, spiced rum, Stoli Vanilla, carrot juice, & ginger beer) Courtesy of Ben Provost of The American Bar at The Stafford

6. Feel Like a Holiday (vodka, raspberry eau-de-vie, & sparkling wine/champagne) Courtesy of Sara Gaum of VendorBar.com

7. Pumpkin Pie Frappe (Mount Gay Rum Eclipse, pumpkin puree, sugar in the raw, cinnamon, allspice, half-and-half, & vanilla ice cream) Courtesy of Jonathan Pogash

8. Holiday Pie (Canadian Club Classic 12, Tuaca, apple cider) Courtesy of Canadian Club

9. Autumn Side Car Wine-tail (Yellow Tail Chardonnay, brandy, agave nectar, orange slices, basil leaves, Grand Marnier, & orange twist garnish) Courtesy of Trudy Thomas

10. Pumpkin Margarita (pumpkin puree, agave nectar, lime, tequila, Crema’s signature spice blend, & white and black sesame seeds for rimming) Courtesy of Crema

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The winner will be announced on Thursday, November 19th!

Last Saturday was filled with events for our family.  Our morning was spent watching our oldest run in a regional cross-country meet.  Although the sun was shining, it was a chilly morning to be standing outside.  In the afternoon, our family went apple picking at a local orchard.  By mid-afternoon, it had warmed considerably, making this outdoor adventure more enjoyable for those prone to cold fingers and toes.

As the night would be cold, we purchased apple cider to turn into a warm evening drink.  I never had made mulled cider previously, but it seemed like a simple recipe to master.  I did deviate from typical recipes that call for cinnamon sticks and used ground cinnamon instead.  I also replaced whole cloves with ground cloves.  In spite of these substitutions, I found this cider to be quite delicious.  Plus, having simmered all afternoon in our crockpot, the entire house smelled wonderful.

This recipe lends itself to crowds quite nicely.  Create a large batch in a crockpot, or if more is needed, it can be made in a stockpot.  The “kick” is added to individual glasses, so this beverage can be served without alcohol in order to quench everyone’s thirst.  If you feel like extending the extra effort, I would recommend rimming your mugs for an extra special look and taste.

With many Halloween, Thanksgiving, and assorted fall gatherings drawing near, this is a great recipe to keep nearby.

Spiked Mulled Cider

1/2 gallon cider

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

2 Tb. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

caramel sauce

brandy

Combine cider, 2 tsp. cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in crockpot.  Turn heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 3 hours.

Before serving, combine sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon in a shallow dish that is wider than the mugs (Irish coffee mugs work very well) in which you will be serving the cider.  Apply a small amount of caramel sauce to the rim of each mug.  Invert mug, and twist in cinnamon-sugar mix to coat rim.

Pour 1 ounce of brandy into each mug, and add cider to fill. Stir to combine.

Enjoy!

Today marks the twentieth day of winter in the northern hemisphere.  However, in New Hampshire it seems like we already have had a winter’s worth of snow and ice. Between this chilly precipitation, cold temperatures, and biting winds, winter has made its presence known.

To cope with winter, I sometimes try to pretend that it isn’t cold and wintry by preparing tropical dishes and drinks.  However, there are times when just knowing how cold it is outside gives me the goosebumps.  And on a night such as that, a cold drink is not going to work.

When my internal thermostat tells me that it’s time for a second pair of socks and a turtleneck, I let my creativity flow and make a new hot drink combination.  My main ingredient for these concoctions is coffee, as I love coffee, and caffeine typically doesn’t affect my ability to sleep.

When I created this drink I wanted to add some different flavors, and although I am not crazy about chocolate, I thought it might add a nice taste to this beverage.  I used instant cocoa mix to add creaminess without needing milk.  Sure, it added a few calories, but I would treat this coffee drink as a dessert regardless.

Served with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired, it is a “pretty” coffee drink with enough sweetness to satisfy your dessert craving and a pinch (or two) of fun for some kick!

Special Almond Chocolate Coffee

4 ounces brewed coffee

boiling water

hot cocoa mix

1 ounce almond liqueur

1 ounce vodka*

whipped cream

Make coffee according to your coffee maker’s directions.  Pour 4 ounces into a large coffee mug.  Make cocoa according to directions on package.  (HINT: I make the cocoa in a liquid measuring cup to make pouring easier and less messy.)  Add 3 ounces of hot cocoa to coffee mug.  Add almond liqueur and vodka (if desired), and stir well.  Garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

*Vodka can be added to this drink for an extra kick.