No matter how well-stocked your bar is, there is very seldom a wide range of warm drinks, whether alcoholic or not. Here are some great ideas for hot drinks that can be served at winter weddings, parties, conferences or gala dinners:
PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE
Ingredients:
1.5 cups sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
½ cup powdered coffee creamer
½ teaspoon salt
2.5 cups powdered skim milk
1 cup ground candy canes
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together well and store in an air-tight container if you do not plan to use it immediately. For every cup of Peppermint Hot Chocolate, add a third of a cup of the dry mixture to 1 cup of boiling water.
Garnish with whipped cream and mini marshmallows.
HOT BUTTERED RUM (serves 15)
Ingredients:
2 cups brown sugar
5 cups butter
A pinch of salt
3 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
2 quarts of water (approximately 7.5 cups)
2 cups dark rum
Method:
Put all the ingredients except the rum into a slow-cooker and cook on low for 5 hours. Then, add the rum and stir well.
Serve in a mug and garnish with whipped cream.
CAFFEINE ZINGER
Ingredients:
60 ml Drambuie Liqueur
1 cup hot coffee (instant or filter)
Sugar to taste
Lemon rind
Method:
Put all the ingredients in a mug, stir well and garnish with lemon rind.
APPLE CIDER BONANZA
Ingredients:
¾ teaspoon whole cloves
1 medium navel orange
1 medium lemon
1 quart (just under 4 cups) apple cider
3 cups cranberry juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
Method:
Push the cloves into the orange and cut the orange and lemon into slices.
Put all the ingredients into a saucepan and bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for half an hour.
Serve the mixture in mugs (remove the cinnamon and fruit before serving, if desired)
PUSH PINEAPPLE (serves 7)
Ingredients:
1 can unsweetened pineapple juice
1 cup cranberry juice (reduced-calorie)
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 medium lemon, sliced
7 cinnamon sticks
Method:
Combine all ingredients except the lemon and cinnamon in a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
Reduce heat and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes, leaving the saucepan uncovered.
Strain the mixture and serve in an Irish Coffee mug. Garnish with the lemon slices and cinnamon sticks.
CHAI TEA (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
2 cups water
2 Ceylon tea bags
1 cinnamon stick
6 cardamom seeds, crushed
1 whole clove
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
2.5 cups milk
1/3 cup brown sugar
Sweetened whipped cream
Ground cinnamon
Method:
Put the water, tea bags, cinnamon stick, cardamom seeds, clove and ginger into a saucepan and bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, covered.
Add the milk and boil for 1 minute.
Strain the mixture and add the sugar. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved.
Serve in a warmed mug and garnish with the cream and ground cinnamon.
Photo Courtesy of Bon Appétit
