Hot Chai, Buttered Cider and Chocolate Warmer

Hot Drinks Recipes for Soothing Warm Toddies

Nov 11, 2008 Kristin Colangelo

The days are getting shorter and winter's chill is coming. Here are some wonderful cozy drink recipes to chase away the bitter cold of Old Man Winter.

Winter conjures images of snow, cold and ice...but these delicious drink recipes can help you stay warm throughout the winter season.

Chai tea has many varieties that include a wide array of ingredients. Here is a perennial favorite that is a savory treat on a cold day:

Homemade Chai Tea

Ingredients:

  • 3-1/2 cups water
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 4 whole cardamom
  • 1/4 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/8 teaspoon crushed black pepper
  • 2 black tea bags (or about 1-1/2 tablespoons loose black tea)
  • Dash of ground ginger

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients (except water and black tea) to a spice grinder and blend. Alternately, crush with a mortar and pestle. Boil water in medium saucepan.
  2. Put blended ingredients into boiling water. Steep for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Add black tea and steep for an additional 5 minutes.
  4. Strain into cup and add sugar and milk as desired.
  5. For additional flavor, add honey instead of sugar and/or add a piece of orange peel or a slice of ginger root to each cup.

Serves 2

This recipe is a yummy treat after shoveling snow:

Hot Buttered Cider

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups apple juice
  • 3/4 sliced navel orange, unpeeled
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 8 whole allspice
  • 1-1/2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

  1. Combine apple juice and orange slices in a large saucepan. Wrap allspice, cloves and cinnamon sticks in a double thickness of cheesecloth. Tie with string to close into a sack.
  2. Add sack to pan and bring water to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Combine light brown sugar, butter and cinnamon in a bowl. Remove spice sack.
  5. Ladel liquid into mugs and add small amount of sugar, butter and cinnamon mixture to the mug.

Serves 6

Here is a wonderful winter drink perfect for a cozy evening by the fire:

Chocolate Almond Warmer

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 cups chocolate and vanilla swirled ice cream, softened
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract
  • Dash of ground nutmeg

Directions:

  1. In a medium saucepan, cook and stir butter, sugar and light brown sugar over low heat for 15 minutes or until butter is melted. Pour into a large bowl, add ice cream and almond extract.
  2. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes or until mixture is smooth, stopping to scrape the bowl as needed.
  3. Spoon 1/4 cup of mixture into a mug and add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir well. Add a dash of nutmeg and serve right away.

Serves 4

For flavor variety, try adding different flavors of ice cream such as plain vanilla or chocolate instead. Any flavor that goes well with almond can be substituted.

Winter drinks provide much needed warmth and the recipes above prove that they can also be delicious as well. Enjoy!

The copyright of the article Hot Chai, Buttered Cider and Chocolate Warmer in Recipes is owned by Kristin Colangelo. Permission to republish Hot Chai, Buttered Cider and Chocolate Warmer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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