Cooler weather means the perfect opportunity to snuggle up with a mug of warm, yummy goodness and I’ve got some drinks you’ve got to try!

October 18, 2017 BY Cassie Let me know what you think. Leave a comment below!

Hot Drinks for a Cold Day:

Hot water is my Love Language. I mean, is that a thing? If you want to tell me you care, bring me some form of hot water. Hot tea, cider, cocoa, coffee, baths, showers, hot tubs, I’m not picky. There is just something about warm water that brings me comfort and joy. That’s why I’m so excited to share several of my favorite hot beverages with you today!

Let’s Get Started! ~Hot Chocolate~

Ok, I Have a confession to make. I am just not that into the Pumpkin Spice craze that takes over seemingly normal people and turns them into pumpkin craving zombies September through November. At least, not until I discovered this particular item…. That’s right, Pumpkin Spice hot cocoa is a thing. A delicious, warm, and comforting thing that you should find right now and give a try! I discovered this yummy concoction completely by accident after receiving some as a gift and gave it a reluctant try (Remember previous confession about my lack of pumpkin love). Imagine my surprise when a delicious blend of cocoa and spice hit my tongue and warmed me up from the tongue down. I am not a closet pumpkin spice fan, but only if it involves hot cocoa!

If pumpkin spice isn’t your thing, or you’re just a hot chocolate purist, then do not fret, for I have a drink for you too! For the simplest, yet richest cup of “Cafe Style” Hot chocolate, give this syrup a try. When my favorite local coffee shop closed I was lamenting over the end of go-to cup of hot chocolate when the owner shared with us the secret of his delicious cocoa: Ghiradelli Black Label Chocolate Sauce.  My sweet hubby promptly purchased one of the commercial size containers that he used in the store so I could make all the warm and yummy cocoa that my hear desired. The recipe for this cocoa is so simple, you can make up a cup in less than 2 minutes!

Cafe Style Hot Cocoa Recipe:

2 Tablespoons Ghirardelli Black Label Chocolate Sauce 87.3oz – Single Bottle

1 1/2 cups of Whole or 2% Milk

Toppings of Choice: Whipped Cream, Mini Marshmallows, Cinnamon, Cocoa Powder

To create the perfect cup: Warm your milk, stir in your syrup and top with your topping of choice. Drink and Repeat Often!

Up Next: ~Hot Tea~

Tea is my first love. As a mom of three little men, 1 of which still wakes me up multiple times a night and another who thinks that 6:45 am is sleeping in, coffee has become my morning drink of choice lately, but tea will always be my go-to for a mid-day pick me up or a relaxing pre-bedtime drink. While I love all types of tea, I have found a few that stand out as favorites through the years. My current favorite tea for a pre-bedtime drink is a warm and comforting blend of decaffeinated peppermint, vanilla, and cinnamon known as “Candy Cane Lane”. This tea is a seasonal blend from Celestial Seasonings and I’ve learned to buy up all I think I’m going to drink for the year to get me until they re-release it the next fall. I love it that much! I fix mine straight up with a little local honey, but you can add your sweetener of choice.

The second tea that I find myself reaching for over and over is a slightly caffeinated Jasmine Green Tea. The gentle Jasmine flavor really makes for an enchanting cup of tea that is as good iced with a little fresh mint as it is hot with a dollop of honey. This tea is my go-to afternoon pick me up as it has just enough caffeine to give me a little boost, without keeping my up late at night. There are countless other varieties and flavors of green tea to sample, but I recommend giving Jasmine tea a try as it’s slight floral flavor comes from real Jasmine blossoms which blend beautifully with the light flavor of the green tea.

Finishing Things Off With: ~Coffee~ (Of course!)

It would be wrong of me to write a post on favorite hot drinks without addressing America’s golden child of hot beverages; Coffee. Where the English love their tea, Americans cannot get enough coffee. Did you know that over half of Americans drink coffee daily with 3 cups being the average? That’s over 382 million cups of coffee every day in America alone! While I seldom, if ever, consume 3 cups a day, I do have at least one cup almost every morning to get me going. I have found that I am pretty particular about how I like my coffee, as most of us are! In my opinion, the perfect cup is rich, smooth, and creamy with a touch of mocha. If that sounds good to you, try my technique for the perfect cup. If not, carry on your own perfect coffee drinking way! 

Recipe for the Perfect Cup of Coffee:

First off, brew a cup of your favorite strength coffee. We had a Colombian friend introduce us to Cafe Sello Rojo coffee and it has quickly become my personal favorite, but to each their own.

Secondly add in a touch of salt and a little pat of butter. (This adds so much depth and richness!)

Next, stir in apx. 1 Tablespoon of Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa. (It doesn’t have to be the Special Dark, but trust me, it makes it so much better!)

Next, add in sweetener of choice to taste. (I use plain ol’ white sugar but you could substitute a no calorie option)

Now, add in your Cream or Half and Half to taste.

Finally, stir and enjoy the warm, rich goodness!

**Health Note: If you want to make this a healthier option, substitute Coconut Oil for the butter and stir in some powdered gelatin. If you do this with a low calorie sweetener it really can be quite a healthy drink with the antioxidants from the cocoa!

Now that we’ve gone over lots of good ideas for some hot beverages, I hope you are encouraged to go and curl up with a favorite hot drink of your own!

Please leave me your favorite hot drink in the comments below!

~Cassie

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Author: findingbeauty