Make the most of this sweater weather with some festive, cozy cocktails! Whether you prepare them for a party, or just for yourself after a long day, these three delicious beverages will make you forget all about your cold-weather troubles.
Nutella Melt
Ingredients:
● 4 cups of whole milk
● ¼ cup of Nutella
● A pinch of salt
● 6 oz. of hazelnut liqueur
● 1 cup of heavy cream (chilled)
● ¼ cup of confectioners’ sugar
● 2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder
● ¼ cups of toasted hazelnuts, chopped for garnish
● Toasted coconut flakes for garnish
Directions:
- Bring milk, Nutella and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until Nutella is completely dissolved. Stir in liqueur. Turn off the heat but leave the pot on the stove while you whip the cream.
- Using an electric mixer, beat cream, confectioners' sugar and espresso powder on medium speed in a large, chilled bowl until soft peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. (Alternatively, beat by hand using a large wire whisk.) Ladle drink into warm cups and top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with hazelnuts and coconut.
Mulled White Wine
Ingredients:
● 2 teaspoons of black peppercorns
● 2 teaspoons of whole cloves
● 1 (750ml) bottle of white zinfandel
● ¼ cup of granulated sugar
● 1 small bunch of sage
● 1 small bunch thyme
● The rind plus 2 tablespoons of juice from 1 lemon
● 1 cup pear eau-de-vie or brandy
● 1 firm, ripe pear (peeled, cored and thinly sliced)
Directions:
- Place peppercorns and cloves in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add wine, sugar, sage, thyme, and lemon rind and juice and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Reduce heat to lowest setting and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and discard solids.
- Return mixture to saucepan and stir in eau-de-vie and pear slices. Simmer over medium-low heat until pears are fork-tender but still retain their shape, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Serve. For a more decorative touch, leave the skin, seeds and stems on the pears.
Irish Coffee
Ingredient:
● Coffee, your favorite blend
● 1 oz. (a shot glass worth) of Irish whiskey
● 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
● Whipped cream
● Chocolate or cinnamon for topping (optional)
Directions:
- Brew hot coffee and pour into mugs. Add whiskey and brown sugar (add or reduce depending on sweetness preference) into mugs of coffee.