When winter arrives each year—with nippy temperatures, snow and icy rains—many people enjoy curling up under an afghan in front of the fireplace and sipping a steaming hot cup of cocoa. When the holidays arrive, although they may still enjoy hot chocolate, they also may indulge with an occasional cup of rich, creamy eggnog. Why not try something a bit different this year, such as a cup of brandy-laced coffee or one flavored with cinnamon and brown sugar? You might just discover a new favorite drink for the winter holiday season.
Irish Coffee
If you like a little “nip” to your holiday and cold-weather drinks, you’ll love this recipe for Irish coffee. If you’re on a diet, you may want to replace the real whipped cream with a sugar-free or fat-free whipped topping. In addition, you can substitute a non-calorie sugar sweetener for the confectioners' sugar and granulated sugar. As long as you don’t indulge in this rich drink every day, you won't sabotage your diet.
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 cup whiskey
- 4 to 8 teaspoons granulated sugar, depending upon desired sweetness
- 3 cups hot brewed coffee
Directions:
- Whisk together heavy cream, vanilla extract and confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat cream until stiff peaks form.
- Rinse four coffee mugs with hot tap water until warm; drain water from coffee mugs.
- Pour 2 tablespoons whiskey and 1 to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, depending upon desired sweetness, into each coffee mug.
- Add coffee to each mug and top each cup of coffee with a dollop of whipped cream.
Café Brûlot with Brandy
Café Brûlot is normally a flaming concoction made with coffee, cognac and spices. This recipe uses brandy instead. We've cut the drama of the drink by eliminating the flame, reducing the risk of accidental fires in your home.
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cup strong, hot brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks, approximately 1 inch in length
- 6 to 8 tablespoons granulated sugar, depending upon desired sweetness
- Grated zest of 1/2 lemon
- Grated zest of 1/2 orange
- 3/4 cup brandy, at room temperature
Directions:
- Prepare coffee according to your desired preference.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, cloves, cinnamon sticks, sugar and citrus fruit zests. Bring mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat. Pour liquid through a sieve into a serving pot or other heat-resistant container. Discard cloves, cinnamon sticks and citrus fruit zests.
- Add hot coffee and brandy to spiced water and stir to combine. Pour coffee mixture into individual mugs and serve.
Spiced Coffee with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Since this drink doesn't contain alcohol, you can serve it to children. However, be careful with the amount of caffeine you allow your children to consume.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups hot brewed coffee
- 2 oranges
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons light-brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 4 cinnamon sticks, approximately 3 inches in length
- 2 oranges
- Whipped cream and chocolate curls, for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- Brew coffee according to desired strength.
- Using a single-hole citrus zester, remove long, thin curls of zest from oranges, avoiding the pith.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine orange zest, water, light-brown sugar, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Remove mixture from heat and pour liquid through a sieve into a serving pot or other heat-resistant container. Discard orange zest and cinnamon sticks.
- Add coffee to spice mixture and stir to combine.
- Pour coffee mixture into individual serving mugs. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of chocolate curls, if desired.
Carol Rzadkiewicz - Carol Rzadkiewicz has taught college English for over 14 years and is the author of three published novels and numerous short stories.
