Holiday Drink Double Take!

Peppermint Mocha

 

I started out this morning on Facebook (as usual) expressing my craving for caffeine and chocolate.  Christmas always finds me mixing chocolate and peppermint into just about anything I can find, and my morning coffee is no exception.  A peppermint mocha soon found its way into my hands and some of my Facebook friends were requesting that I install a drive-thru window into my home for pick-up of their own beverages.  I wish that I could make everyone their own beverage on this beautiful "Pay It Forward" day, so this is about the best I can do.  Enjoy this simple and satisfying recipe for my Peppermint Mocha in the morning, and for tonight, try some of this DELICIOUS Hot Holiday Hooch!!!!!

Peppermint Mocha

Prep Time:  5 minutes / Cook Time:  5 minutes / Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso
• 16 oz. low-fat milk
• 2 tbsp. chocolate syrup
• 1/8 tsp. peppermint extract

Steps:

1. Brew espresso in an espresso maker. 
2. Combine milk and chocolate syrup and mix well with spoon or whisk.  Microwave on high for two minutes. 
3. Add peppermint and create foam on top (if desired) with espresso milk steamer.  
4. Pour in espresso, stir and enjoy! 

Hot Holiday Hooch

Hot Holiday Hooch

Prep Time:  5 minutes / Cook Time: 5 minutes / Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup apple cider (Trader Joe's)
• 1 oz. Gran Marnier
• 1 oz. Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp. whipped cream

Steps:

1. In a small saucepan heat apple cider to desired temperature.  Add Gran Marnier and Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum.  Mix well.
2. Wet the rim of two martini glasses with water and dip in sugar, coating the rims.  Pour half of the drink mixture into each glass and garnish with 1 tbsp. each whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.