Lifestyle /
Winter Drink Recipes
As the chill sets in this winter, be prepared to fight it with warming winter drinks enjoyed best in the comfort of your loved ones.
Here are three easy to prepare, delicious recipes to beat the cold as you get together with family and friends during the holiday season.
IRISH WHISKEY HOT CHOCOLATE
What is better than savoring a cup of hot cocoa on a cold day? How about celebrating winters with a round of rich hot chocolate that’s got an extra lick of warmth and kick of flavor?
Ingredients (4 servings)
1 (12 oz.) bottle Guinness
1/4 cup Cocoa powder
1 tablespoon granulated Sugar
Pinch of kosher Salt
3 cups whole Milk
1/2 cup milk Chocolate chips
1/2 cup bittersweet Chocolate chips
1/2 cup Irish Cream
1/2 cup Irish Whiskey
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, cook Guinness over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, until reduced to 1/2 cup.
Set aside.
In a saucepan, stir cocoa, sugar and salt. Stir in milk, milk chocolate chips and bittersweet chocolate chips.
Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture is hot.
Gently whisk to completely homogenize mixture. Do not let it come to a boil.
Add Irish cream, Guinness mixture and whiskey.
Using a hand blender, whisk or milk frother, blend until frothy.
Pour into individual mugs and serve immediately.
HOT (BROWN) BUTTERED RUM
This sweet, warm drink is a wintertime classic and the perfect accompaniment for a night out or an evening in front of the fireplace.
Since this drink takes a little extra work, you may want to keep a batch of the dry mix pre-blended for quick access.
Ingredients (25 servings)
3 cups brown Sugar
1/2 cup unsalted Butter
3 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp Vanilla extract
1 tsp ground Nutmeg
1 tsp ground Allspice
1 tsp ground Cinnamon
1 ½ oz. Rum per serving
Garnish
Cinnamon sticks
Preparation
Hot Buttered Rum Mix
Mix brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon with a beater until everything is blended together.
Store in an air-tight jar until needed.
To Make Hot Buttered Rum Drink From The Mix
Melt butter in a saucepan, stirring on low heat until brown and then remove immediately from the stove.
Blend browned butter, brown sugar and honey together with a beater slowly, gradually adding vanilla extract and the dry spices until thoroughly mixed.
Pour 1 ½ ounces of rum (light or dark) into serving mugs or Irish coffee glasses.
Add a heaped spoonful of the hot buttered rum mixture.
Fill with hot water (not boiling) and stir well.
Garnish with a stick of cinnamon and serve.
BOURBON WASSAIL
Wassailing is an old English farmers drinking ritual to celebrate and pray for good health and a successful harvest in the coming year. The drink too is nothing short of experiencing an orchard in a mug.
The recipe calls for apples, oranges, lemons and even some pineapple. Since fruits were historically holiday treats in cold northern climates, the drink continues to make the perfect addition to any party, in a winter punch bowl.
Ingredients (12 servings)
12 whole Cloves
6 whole Allspice
1/2 inch fresh Ginger root, peeled and sliced
3 Cinnamon sticks
12 whole white Peppercorns
1 gallon fresh Apple cider
3/4 cup Cranberry juice
3/4 cup light Brown sugar, packed
1 ½ cups Bourbon
Tip: You can also vary the recipe by adding orange, pineapple or apricot juice to your Wassail recipe
Garnish
Ground Nutmeg and 1 Cinnamon stick per drink
Preparation
Wrap cloves, allspice, ginger, cinnamon sticks and peppercorns in a cheesecloth.
In a large pot, heat the cider, cranberry juice, brown sugar and spice bag, stirring occasionally.
Bring Wassail to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for thirty minutes.
Take off the heat and let cool until drinkable but still piping hot.
Add bourbon and stir before pouring into mugs.
Serve hot and garnish with a dusting of nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.
Tip: If you want to make the Wassail a centerpiece at your party, pour the finished product into an electric slow cooker and garnish with cinnamon sticks, cut up oranges and lemon slices and keep on low heat for a warm punch that guests can serve themselves.
Tell us which of these drinks you'll be serving at your next party?
Source: Torontolife.com, Seriouseats.com, Cocktails.about.com, Amazon.com, Allrecipes.com, Imbibemagazine.com, Theparisreview.org
Feature Image: Joystiq.com
Irish Whiskey Cocoa Image: Seriouseats.com
Buttered Rum Image: Cocktails.about.com
Wassail Image: Blog.fatfreevegan.com
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
