Winter Drinking

Before you show those tastebuds some affection, be sure to snuggle up with someone you love for an added tingle!

     I remember feeling the cool breeze on my cheeks while conquering the monkey bars at school.  I remember the tip of my nose chilled with the presence of winter.  Winter was beautiful to me.  It was comforting and loving.  Winter was gentle and it frolicked through the towns of Southern Texas as if it was on a mission to seduce my senses.  Winter always had it's own smell.  Well, to me anyway.  It was so crisp, like an apple that had fallen fresh from its branch.  As ironic as it sounds, winter always made me feel......... warm.
 
      Hot chocolate is a child's favorite winter drink.  It's a cup of  ecstacy drowning under pillows of marshmellows.  My mother would add rainbow sprinkles. No special reason.  Just love.  I embraced the cup with all my chilly might.  It flirted with my fingertips.  It greeted my tounge with Holiday cheer.  It was good.  Really good.
  
      Last year, I realized I was the only twenty something "Austin-ite" who didn't have clue about Spiked Hot Chocolate.  "Spiked? Isn't that what they do at high school dances??"   I was totally clueless about making my "cup of cheer" a little more...... cheery!!  A good friend introduced  me to this magical brew.  A winter night cap that even Santa would love.  So, here are a few tips to consider when making your hot chocolate a little extra merry.  Enjoy my friends.

     Tip #1:  Play with your ingredients. I discoverd hazelnut liqueur  and Bailey’s Irish Cream  and let me tell you, I felt like Christopher Columbus when he touched land.  These are warm components for your spiked hot chocolate.
Are your chestnuts roasting yet??

     Tip #2:  The best part of hot chocolate could possibly be the creamy swirl of pleasure that ended up more on the tip of my nose than in my cup .  Top off your cocoa cocktail with home-made whipped cream. In a shaker, combine heavy cream, sugar to taste and ice. Shake vigorously with all your might for at least a minute, (some smootching under a mistletoe should pass the time!!!) or until the cream is thick.  Swirl on top of the hot chocolate, add a cherry, and fall in love ....with winter.
 Ingredients...

• 4 cups milk
• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 1/2 cup Frangelico
• Garnish: whipped cream

Grab a saucepan and combine the milk,  chocolate,  sugar, and the cinnamon and heat the mixture over moderate heat. Make sure you stir until the chocolate is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Add the rum and the Frangelico and heat the mixture.  Still stirring until it is hot.

Recipe and intructions courtesy of Epicurious.com.

If you like, introduce your Spiked Hot Chocolate to a cupcake.  Love at first sight.

If considered, my name and publication may be published on OS.

Megan Thompson

megcuppiecake