Tag Archives: beverages

Mulled Cider

Are you someone like me who reaches for something warm as soon as you get home from work because you are so cold?  I admit I usually reach for some red wine (warm in it’s own way) but sometimes I’ll have some hot tea which just gets boring after a while. Warm apple cider is just a perfect drink around the holidays.  This non-alcoholic Mulled Cider is a perfect way to warm up on a cold day.

Fresh apple cider is simmered with orange slices, brown sugar, cloves, star anise pods and cinnamon sticks and allowed to steep to get a festive, deep flavored, and slightly spicy mulled cider.  Good for both adults and children alike, this cider will warm you to your core and prepare you for a cold night (or morning) by warming up your insides.  Make this ahead of time to sip on Christmas morning and simply warm up (and add a splash of bourbon if you feel so inclined).

DSC04720

The ingredients:

DSC04716

                        In a large saucepan, combine apple cider, orange slices, brown sugar, cloves, star anise pods and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and allow to steep at least 2 hours.

DSC04717

Strain out spices before serving.

DSC04718

Additions:  None

Omissions:  None

Substitutions:  None

Overall Rating:  Like It

Source:  Family Circle magazine

Witches’ Brew

When I first started this blog, I made a cocktail each week and posted it every Friday.  After all, when you’ve had a long week at work, what a better way to unwind than to sit down with a new tasty beverage? I love trying new drinks but as a result of making a cocktail each week, I ended up with an overstocked liquor cabinet and needed to slow things down.  Well, as the weather gets a little cooler, it’s got me in the mood for trying more new drinks.  With Halloween being this week, there is no better time than now to try this Witches’ Brew.

White beer (like Blue Moon) is jazzed up with pomegranate liquor and pomegranate juice.  That’s it.  Being a lover of white beer, I was curious to try this concoction but at the same time freaked out.  Why ruin a perfectly good beer? But it doesn’t ruin it. Instead, the pomegranate adds a little something-something and mellows out the beer’s flavor which makes this taste more like a cocktail than a beer. Pomegranate has a hearty flavor which you may or may not like.  I personally love the flavor of pomegranate so I think this works well with a white beer that already has citrus tones to it. Now, I have no idea why this is called Witches’ Brew as there really isn’t anything particularly Fall or Halloween-y about it.  But who cares? While I’m cuddled up on the couch shivering from watching Halloween for the millionth time, I’ll be glad I have this to calm my nerves a bit.

DSC04677

The ingredients:

DSC04670

Stir together beer, liqueur and juice in a pitcher.

DSC04673

DSC04674

Serve in a glass over ice.

DSC04676

Garnish with pomegranate seeds, if desired.

DSC04678

Additions:  None

Omissions:  None

Substitutions:  None

Overall Rating:  Like It

Source:  Family Circle magazine

Vanilla-Almond Steamer

I went to a friend’s for dinner last night and left around 9:40 so I could make it home in time to catch the latest episode of Chicago Fire only to find snow on my car so thick and heavy, my windshield wipers couldn’t cut through it.  So there I was without a winter coat or gloves on in a full snowstorm brushing snow off my car just to drive to my house less than a mile away.  I think the weather people talked more about Winter Storm Nemo last week than about this little weather event which clearly created more snow.  Anyway, snows like this which leave me wet and cold just make me want to curl up with something warm.  And since I don’t want to drink anything caffeinated before bed, this Vanilla-Almond Steamer is a perfectly cozy warm drink on an unexpectedly snowy night.

Milk and sugar are warmed on the stove and flavored with cinnamon sticks, vanilla and almond extracts.  If I could imagine what a warmed up vanilla milkshake might taste like, I think this would be it.  Use whatever milk you fancy (I used skim and loved it) because I really don’t think it will matter.  The cinnamon, vanilla and almond create a soothing backdrop for this hug in a cup.  If you need something one of these cold nights but have had enough tea and just can’t deal with decaf, consider this.  It’s a perfect before-bedtime drink that can even be kicked up with some bourbon or rum if you so choose.

DSC04283

The ingredients:

DSC04274

Combine the milk and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until sugar dissolves, stirring frequently. Add cinnamon sticks to milk mixture; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally (do not boil).

DSC04276

Remove from heat; let stand 20 minutes. Stir in extracts. Place pan over medium-high heat; cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove and discard cinnamon sticks.

DSC04278

Garnish with ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks, if desired.

DSC04284

Additions:  None

Omissions:  None

Substitutions:

  • Non-fat milk

Overall Rating:  Love It

Source:  Cooking Light Magazine

1 2 3
Blog at WordPress.com.
%d bloggers like this: