It's my favorite time of the year when it's a little nippy outside but inside there is a welcoming warmth, nice warm fuzzy slippers and a cozy corner of the couch to snuggle into after a long day. When you have guests over during cooler weather one of the best ways to give them a warm welcome is with a warm beverage! So during holidays and winter I like to keep a crock pot ready to have something warm for my family and friends when they come in.. To help you get started on some ideas for delicious warm drinks here are several different recipes for you to try. Enjoy the season!

Eldorado Cocoa

2 cups whole milk
2 oz best quality dark chocolate, grated
2 teaspoons of honey
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cinnamon stick

Pour the milk into a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add grated chocolate, honey, sugar and cinnamon stick.
Heat and stir gently until the chocolate melts then add the vanilla.
Remove the cinnamon stick just before serving.
Serve with dollop of real whipped cream. Enjoy!
NOTE: can add 1 - 1 1/2 T. dark rum for adult beverages.

Hot Cocoa
6 T. Unsweetened cocoa
6 T. Sugar
Pinch of Salt
2 1/2 cup Milk
2 1/2 cup Light Cream
3/4 t. Vanilla
Pinch of Cinnamon Powder (opt.)
Whipped Cream

Directions
Mix cocoa, salt, and sugar. Add milk. Heat to dissolve. Add light cream, cinnamon, vanilla. Heat to just under boiling. Mix very well and pour into warm mug. Top with whipped cream & sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Hot Buttered Rum
1/2 gallon premium vanilla ice cream, softened
1 pound butter, softened (no substitute)
1 (1-pound) box powdered sugar
1 (1-pound) box dark brown sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients and mixing well. Place in a freezer-safe container and store in freezer until ready to use.
To serve: Place 1 ounce rum in mug with 2 TBSP frozen mixture. Fill mug with boiling water and top with additional nutmeg, if desired.

Hot Spiced Cider
6 cups fresh apple cider
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (more or less, to taste)
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
6 strips orange peel
6 strips lemon peel

Directions

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture. Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling. Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving, if you like.

Vampire Punch Halloween Special
3 cups apple juice
3 cups cranberry juice
2 cups orange juice
1 tsp cloves
1 cinnamon stick
3 - 4 berries, allspice
1 - 2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp grated lemon peel

In a washed square of cheesecloth; place the cloves, cinnamon, allspice and lemon peel and fold up the sides ofthe cheesecloth to enclose the bundle. Tie with a piece of kitchen string. Drop into the juice in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring. Remove the punch from heat and discard spice bundle. Serve warm with a slice of orange or blood orange as a garnish.

Wassail Punch

1 qt. apple cider
1 qt. pineapple juice
1/4 c. sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
1/2 tsp. whole allspice
1/2 tsp. whole cloves
1/2 c. lemon juice
1 bottle (4/5 qt.) sauterne
5 sm. apples
Whole cloves

In a large pan, combine the first 6 ingredients. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add lemon juice and wine. Heat but do not boil. Pour into a large punch bowl. Stud apples with cloves and float in punch bowl. Serves 17.

Hot Cranberry Punch

2 c. cranberry juice cocktail
2 1/2 c. unsweetened pineapple juice
1 c. water
1/3 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp. whole cloves
1 1/2 tsp. whole allspice
3 (2 inch) cinnamon sticks

You will need a percolator. Dissolve brown sugar in 1 of the liquids before adding to percolator. Percolate until done. Serves 6. You may multiply quantities by 3 or 4 to serve a larger crowd.


Russian Tea

Juice & rind of 1 orange
1/2 c. pineapple juice
1 Tbsp. tea
1 stick cinnamon
Juice of 2 lemons
1 c. sugar
4 cloves
1/4 tsp. allspice

Put orange rind and spice in cloth bag. Boil in small amount of water 3 minutes. Scald tea with 1 quart boiling water and let steep 5 minutes. Strain; combine juice; spices and tea. Serve piping hot. Serves 15.

Hot & Spicy Tomato Sipper

3 c. tomato juice
1 stalk celery, cut into 3 pieces
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. prepared horseradish
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
pats of butter (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Heat until simmering. Simmer 5 minutes on low. Remove celery and discard. Serve hot. 4 servings
NOTE: This is really good with a pat of butter in each mug.. but that's optional of course :)

Mocha Cocoa

2 c. hot coffee
1/4 c. sugar
2 Tbsp Cocoa
2 Tbsp water
1 c. whipping cream

In small saucepan combine water, sugar and cocoa.
Stir until well blended.
Heat until starts to boil.
Add Whipping cream and stir until well blended..
Heat another minute.
Combine with hot coffee and serve with extra whipping cream on the side. 4 servings.