HERLIFE Magazine

herlife | culinaryW A R M U P W I T HWinterDrinksby kristen doyleHot ChocolateWhen you think back to winter days, building giant snowmenor sledding down your favorite hill, chances are you recall ending theadventure with a mug of hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is definitelyessential for winter, but essential doesn’t have to mean ordinary. It’ssimple to give hot chocolate an update to keep variety in your cup allwinter long.Mexican hot chocolate is a spicy drink with a delicious kick.Normally made with a blend of cinnamon, chilies, anise and richchocolate, it is a popular part of Central American culture. Mexicanhot chocolate can also be made using a special bitter Mexican chocolatemelted and blended with milk.If cinnamon is not what tempts you most, another alternative forgiving hot chocolate an uplifting makeover is peppermint. Peppermintextract or peppermint candy melted in a cup of hot chocolate cantransform this ordinary beverage into something special.Athick blanket, cracklingfire and wool mittenscan do wonders to takethe chill off the winter air, butnothing can comfort you fromthe inside out quite like awarm beverage on a cold day.Winter beverages tend to envelope a soothing blend of heartyspices and deep flavor one associates with the comforts soughtwhen temperatures begin to drop. Gone are the fruity citrus andsweet drinks of summer and in turn we welcome drinks that providewarmth the moment we lift the cup to our lips.Typical winter beverages include a steaming cup of coffeeor a mug of hot chocolate. However, when you think beyondwhat’s typical and explore the world of winter beverages, you’llfind retreating indoors for a warm winter beverage can be not onlycomforting, but also delicious.Dessert CoffeeWith the popularity of local coffee shops and flavored coffeewithin easy reach at home, most people don’t consider doing muchmore to their cup of coffee beyond cream and sugar.Coffee can be so much more than what jump-starts your day orgives you that extra pick-me-up in the afternoon. Consider how a warmcup of dessert coffee after a leisurely meal connecting with friends canwarm your body and your soul.What makes a coffee qualify as a dessert coffee? Typically, a dessertcoffee is richer and sweeter than a coffee you might have at othertimes during the day. Topped with whipped cream or enhanced withliquor, dessert coffee is both sweet and indulgent.Making a custom dessert coffee flavor is actually quite simple.Think about your favorite flavors…do you love chocolate? Melt somehigh quality chocolate and stir it into a cup of coffee, top with freshwhipped cream and drizzle with chocolate sauce, and you have adelicious chocolate dessert coffee. Is peppermint your flavor of choice?Simply infuse some peppermint candy into a cup of hot coffee, andtop with whipped cream and crushed peppermint for a delicious treat.Nutella, vanilla beans and maple are all possibilities for the perfect cupof dessert coffee to end your day.40 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COMContinued on page 42