Milwaukee, WI

With the copious amount of snow falling from the sky here in Milwaukee, it is easy to get the winter blues. Weather.com says that it is supposed to continue snowing and sleeting until 2a.m. Winter weather like we have today is a great time to think happy thoughts…happy thoughts of toasty drinks that are perfect for cold weather.

Hot Buttered Rum

* 1 small slice soft butter
* 1 tsp brown sugar
* optional spices: ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg
* vanilla extract
* 2 oz dark rum
* boiling water

PREPARATION:

1. Place the butter, sugar and spices at the bottom of an Irish coffee glass or mug.
2. Mix well or muddle.
3. Pour in the rum and boiling water.
4. Stir.

Hot Toddy

* 1 oz brandy or blended whiskey
* 1 Tbsp honey
* 1/4 lemon
* 1 cup hot water
* 1 tea bag

PREPARATION:

1. Coat the bottom of a mug or an Irish coffee glass with honey.
2. Add brandy and the juice of the lemon quarter.
3. On the side, heat water in a tea kettle and add the tea bag to make hot tea.

Hot Honey Lemonade

* 2 lemons
* 3 whole cloves
* 2 tablespoons honey, or to taste
* 1 cup boiling water
* 1 cinnamon stick

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Squeeze juice of 1 lemon into a large mug.
2. Slice remaining lemon thinly. Poke cloves into lemon slices and drop slices into mug.
3. Add honey and fill cup with hot water.
4. Stir with cinnamon stick until honey has dissolved. Taste for sweetness and add more honey as needed.

Mulled Apple Cider

* 1 gallon unfiltered apple cider
* 10 whole cloves
* 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, lightly crushed
* 2 strips orange peel, about 2 inches long
* 6 dried allspice berries
* 4 heads star anise
* 1 cinnamon stick
* 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
* Orange twists, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large pot, combine apple cider with all other ingredients except orange twists. Stir well.
2. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes before serving.
3. Serve cider in a heatproof mug, garnished with an orange twist.

Note: If you prefer, you may remove the steeping ingredients before serving by straining the cider through a fine mesh strainer.

Rusty Nail

* 1 1/2 oz Scotch
* 3/4 oz Drambuie
* lemon twist for garnish

PREPARATION:

1. Pour the ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.
2. Stir well.
3. Garnish with the lemon twist.

Nothing goes with hot drinks as nicely as some freshly baked cookies. Elementary Chef’s Blog is currently featuring twelve Christmas cookie recipes.