Spiced Brown Sugar Coffee At Home

I love a Starbucks run as much as anyone.  However, I also love coffee first thing in the morning with a brisk walk - there is no time to roll out of bed and go to Starbucks and still get that chilly sunrise walk in before the rest of the world wakes up.  I've been making this tasty coffee at home and it is so yummy on these crisp fall days.

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It is a simple mixture of brown sugar + cinnamon + ginger + ground cloves.  

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

2 teaspoons of Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon of ginger

1/4 teaspoon of cloves

I put a scoop of it in my cup with about 1/4 cup of milk and microwave it for 1 1/2 minutes (I like very hot coffee).  

By heating the milk, you get they same effect (minus the foam) of a latte.

Then, I pour coffee - premade or Kcup.

For full effect, top with whipped cream!

I plan on serving it for Thanksgiving for our post feast walk and will probably top it with whipped cream and a dusting a cinnamon.  No Starbucks run needed!

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Cocktail of the Summer | Aperol Spritz

The Spritz

This became my favorite cocktail after seeing it in the Barefoot Contessa's Cooking for Jeffery Book a couple of years ago.  It is a fresh, crisp, not too sweet, not too strong, citrusy Italian cocktail.  I feel like I have to document it on the blog because it has become a sort of legend amongst our friends this summer.

Our friends who lived in Italy for a couple of years served them at their annual Masters Party this year.  Even (especially!) the guys are going crazy for the Spritz.  Then we went to Vail with the same group of friends for a wedding - the Spritz became the official drink of the wedding.  It is the perfect drink for an afternoon cocktail and so refreshing on a hot day/evening.  Now, they've become a staple for all of us at the pool, during a round of golf and before (and after!) dinner.  We're hooked!

There is a bit of controversy amongst us on what is the best recipe.  The guys tend to like it a bit stronger (more Aperol, splash of soda), while the ladies tend to like it in 3rds.  You really can't go wrong, but I've shared my favorite tips below.

The are so simple to make at home and perfect for a party.

 The (Aperol) Spritz

1 part aperol
1 part prosecco
1 part (or splash) club soda
orange slice
olives*
lots of ice

*Olives are so essential!  They are one of my favorite parts of the drink.  It might sound odd for sort of a fruity drink, but it really isn't that fruity... Trust me - olives.

Summer Brew | Orange & Blueberry Wheat Beer

Summer Brews are the best - refreshing, flavorful, citrus-y and light.  The original Summer Brew is beer mixed with vodka lemonade.  Delicious.  However, I'm a huge fan of wheat beers (Boulevard, Blue Moon, etc.) topped with an orange... so, I created my own version of a summer brew with fresh squeezed orange juice, vodka and wheat beer.  I garnished it with fresh blue berries and an orange slice to make it colorful and fun... it is, after all, a cocktail.

Orange & Blueberry
Summer Brew
4 cocktails


3 oranges, 2 juiced, 1 sliced
1/2 cup of water
1 tablespoon of sugar
1/4 cup of vodka
4 wheat beers (ex. Boulevard, Blue Moon)
Fresh Blue Berries

Mix together the fresh orange juice, water, sugar and vodka just before the party - keep it cold in the refrigerator, then add the beer and garnishes when served.

Summer Brews are great for outdoor parties - more refreshing than wine on these hot summer evenings.

Get the Marinated Steak Kebabs recipe, here.

See all of the details of my Outdoor Dinner Party, here.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Last month when Mike and I went to Vail for our first weekend away as parents, we indulged in just about everything - massages, elaborate dinners, nice bottles of wine, sleeping in and very special (read : expensive) hot chocolate.

The Four Seasons in Vail is known for their Hot Chocolate - in fact, they call it "Haut Chocolate."  We ordered ours at the outside pool-front fireplace.  They brought it out on a silver platter, and poured it from a copper kettle (which is apparently, a traditional French Hot Chocolate pot) through chocolate lace that sits on top of the cup.  Then they topped it with house-made chocolate marshmallow, fresh whipped cream and Swiss chocolate shavings.

It was soooo special and so indulgent.  What I really loved about it, besides the presentation, was that it was not too sweet, but very smooth and rich and had a deep chocolate flavor.

This Hot Chocolate Recipe is my attempt to recreate that rich, not too sweet, Haut Chocolate.  I was planning to share it yesterday, but the 60 degree weather we had here didn't make it feel appropriate.  Now, that our temps are back to a comfortable 34 degrees (humph...), it is Hot Chocolate time again.

Homemade Hot Chocolate
rich and creamy


I find that grating the chocolate with a microplane makes the chocolate easier to melt and as it melts more quickly, it makes the chocolate creamier.  

4 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons sugar
.......
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, grated
4 ounces milk chocolate, grated
........
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon of sugar

In a saucepan, heat the milk and sugar on medium just until it begins to simmer.   Meanwhile, grate the chocolate.  Also, begin whipping the cream and sugar until soft peaks are achieved.  Remove from heat and stir in chocolate.  Continue stirring until the chocolate melts.  Serve in mugs topped with the sweetened whipping cream.

Spiked Mulled Cider | Fall Entertaining | Fall Cocktails

This seems like the right kind of drink for the first day of October!  Right now I'm sitting on our porch drinking a big mug of hot apple cider this morning... but I love this cocktail recipe for a party.  Wouldn't you love to be sitting outside tonight with a hot cup of cider that is spiked with spiced rum, vanilla and orange?  Count me in.
   
Spiked Mulled Cider
to warm you from the inside

1 gallon of apple cider or juice
2 cups of spiced rum
1 cup of Mulling Spices*
1 vanilla bean
1 orange, sliced
1 teaspoon of ground clove
1 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Sticks, Star Anise and Cloves for Garnish

Put all ingredients into a large pot on your stove and simmer on low.  Serve warm. 

*If you'd like to make your own Mulling Spices, combine whole cloves, star anise, and allspice, OR you can buy it from Williams-Sonoma : Williams-Sonoma Mulling Spices (makes a great gift, too!)

Moscow Mist | Moscow Mule Cocktail with Sierra Mist for the Holidays

You probably recognize the name of this cocktail as Oprah's favorite.  Around our circle of friends, we know it as Chuck's favorite.  He loved it so much that he gave everyone Copper Mugs as wedding gifts.  Don't worry if you don't have a copper mugs, you can still make this great drink.

Moscow Mules usually contain sugar syrup - which involves melting sugar and water together.  To make it easier, I add Sierra Mist Natural as the sweetener instead of the sugar syrup... and did you know it is made with real sugar, no artificial ingredients, 100% natural flavoring?  The addition of Sierra Mist adds a light, sparkling touch without adding too much sweetness.  Your guests will love this potent cocktail that is refreshingly tart and very easy going down.  A sprig of rosemary dresses it up for the holidays!

Moscow Mist
with Sierra Mist Natural

1/2 lime, in wedges
1 ounce vodka
Fresh lime juice
1/4 cup ginger beer
1/4 cup of Sierra Mist
sprig of Rosemary

In a copper mug (if available), squeeze lime wedges, and put the entire wedges in the bottom of the glass.  Add ice.  Pour vodka over ice.  Top with ginger beer, Sierra Mist and stir.  Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

I also made some other cocktails using Sierra Mist Natural:

Candy Cane Cranberry Cocktail
Meet Me At The Mist-letoe

THE CONTEST

Create your own Sierra Mist Natural Cocktail!  Share your most creative cocktail recipes with me for a chance to win a Sierra Mist Natural holiday gift pack (shaker, drink garnish/sugars, party glasses & a $50 AMEX Gift Card) to help them do their own holiday entertaining.  Leave a comment with a link to your cocktail recipe!

"Like" the Sierra Mist Natural Facebook for more cocktail recipe ideas!

*Sierra Mist provided me with compensation to include their product on my blog!

Candy Cane Cranberry Cocktail | Holiday Cocktail

I can't take credit for this idea - it is actually stemmed from a creation of one of my Clients.  She serves it at her annual Holiday Cocktail Party that I used to cater.  My parents were one of her guests and my Mom was still talking about this drink weeks later.  That's always my indicator of something that is really great at a party... it is usually what people are talking about on the way home, the next week and sometimes the next year!

Candy Cane Cranberry Cocktail

1 part vodka
1 part cranberry juice
1 part sierra mist
Candy Canes, crushed
Cranberries or Candy Canes Garnish (optional)

Combine all of the ingredients in a large pitcher.  To serve, dip the rim of the glass in water, then into crushed candy canes.  Shake cocktail mix with ice, then strain into glass.  Serve with cranberry or candy cane garnish.

Crush up the candy canes - I recommend doing this in a ziplock... unless you want pieces of candy canes all over your kitchen.

The peppermint rim is my favorite part of this drink - it goes so well with the tart cranberry!



Stay tuned for more cocktail recipes!

Pineapple Vanilla Flirtini with Pomegranate Seeds | Cocktails

Every great cocktail party needs a festive flirtini cocktail.  This not too sweet cocktail will be the hit of your Holiday party!

Pineapple Vanilla Flirtini 
with Pomegranate Seeds

2 cups of Pineapple Juice
1/2 cup of Vanilla Vodka
2 cups of Champagne or Sparkling Wine
Pomegranate Seeds

Stir together Pineapple juice, vodka and champagne.  Shake in ice before serving.  Top with Pomegranate seeds. 

Very Berry Strawberry Smoothie

Very Berry Strawberry Smoothie :
Healthy Smoothie Recipes (get all 3!)

1 cup of frozen strawberries
1/2 cup of orange juice
1/4 cup of frozen raspberries
1/2 cup of milk

In a blender, puree all of the ingredients together.  Serve immediately.

If you have leftovers, pour into 'to go' cups and put them in the freezer.  Even stick a popsicle stick in to make a really healthy frozen treat.
*Other great additions : watermelon, banana, yogurt, mango, other berries, etc.

Red Pepper Margaritas | Mexican Favorites | Friday Night Party Idea

Red Pepper Margaritas

Red Pepper Margaritas
makes 4-6 margaritas

2 cups of tequila
1 cup of orange juice, fresh squeezed
8 limes, 7 juiced, reserve 1 for garnish (sliced)
3 lemons, juiced
4 tablespoons of sugar
1 wheat beer
1 fresh red pepper, sliced

Combine tequila, orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar and beer in a pitcher.  Stir.  Add plenty of ice to the pitcher and slices of limes.  Serve with a slice of red pepper.  You'll be pleasantly surprised!

Get all of the Recipes for the Festive Friday Night Mexican Party>>


Avocado Salad Recipe >>
Shrimp Taco Recipe >>
Red Pepper Margarita Recipe >>

Avocado Salad Recipe >>

Red Pepper Margarita Recipe >>

Shrimp Taco Recipe >>