Snowy Days!!!

The snow we're getting in the DC, VA, MD region is packing in this weekend and it sounds like a lot of folks are going to be trapped in their homes!  It's times like that where I know while sitting by my fire hanging out with those I love and watching the snow pack in I crave something that warms the spirit as well the body.

There are several fantastic hot drinks that get you in the spirit, many are very easy.  Forgotten my post about Hot Ciders?  Maybe it's time to recap:  Click me to check out my Hot Cider post!!!

A classic Hot Toddy is great during any cold day or even when you are feeling under the weather.  The other part to that is everybody has an opinion on what type of spirit to use in this instance.  Irish Whisky is great for the Hot Toddy but I prefer to use a blended Scotch, specifically for that wonderful warming peat and smoke that it provides.  Try The Famous Grouse Scotch Blended Whisky.  It's ideal for this sort of cocktail.  Save your Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskies, Small Batch, Single Barrel Bourbons and Single Malt Scotches to drink straight or with 1 or 2 ice cubes for a day like today.  Not for the Hot Toddy!

Use a Toddy Glass or a tall coffee mug when making Hot Toddy's and always add some lemon wedges and a cinnamon stick as a garnish for stirring.

Just add ingredients to glass in order, stirring as you go (I recommend using a bar spoon, but any large spoon will suffice)

2 shots Blended Scotch or Irish Whiskey

1 shot Simple Syrup

3 Cloves

1/2 Shot Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

1 Spoon or Warmed or "Runny Honey" (Tea Honey works great) - Helps to dilute more fast and efficient.

Top up with Boiling Water

Hot Buttered Rum, when made correctly, may be the best thing you've ever had.  A lot of people use several different recipes for making Hot Buttered Rum.  Some people brown sugar, some use molasses, some use ice cream and even some people infuse their rums with actual butter!  Any way you look at it, the HOt Buttered Rum is going to be a huge YES MA'AM drink this weekend, here's a recipe that uses stuff you probably already have around the house.

Using a Toddy Glass and garnishing with lemon wedges, cloves and cinnamon sticks start with spices and butter then stir in other ingredients ending with the water:

1/2 Shots Myer's Dark Rum (Any dark rum or spiced rum will suffice, though I prefer a nice dark rum)

1/2 Shot Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

1/2 Shot Brown Sugar Simple Syrup (Equal parts brown sugar to water and bring to a boil)

4 Shots Pressed Apple Juice (The secret weapon)

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg
A small dash of Vanilla Extract
1/4 Teaspoon Runny Honey or "Tea Honey"

1/2 knobs Unsalted Butter

Top up with Boiling Water

The cult classic though is obviously the Irish Coffee.  The fun part about this is how easy it is to make and the variations you can create on your own.  First the basics:

Using a Hot Toddy glass or large coffee mug add ingredients, a splash of cream and top up with strong dark coffee.  Floating light whipped cream (Home made using Vanilla Extract is better) is the only way to go, though dropping three coffee beans on top of it is the final seller!

1 Shot Irish Whiskey
Splash Cream
Top up with Hot Coffee
Float Whipped Cream

Tip:  Heat the cream slightly and pour into the bowl of a spoon then dripping it slowly into the drink helps make it float better!

Now, if you add a 1/2 shot of Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur you get a Perfect Irish Coffee.  Omitting the Irish Whiskey and doing equal shots of Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur and Drambuie Liqueur and you get the Irish Forty Nine Coffee.  Using only a shot of Disaranno Originale Amaretto and 1/2 a shot of Khalua and you end up with the Italian Coffee.  Subbing Gold Tequila for the Amaretto and you get the Mexican Coffee (Totally ROCKS).

Try making an Irish Coffee with other liqueurs such as Creme De Menth, Galliano, Sambuca, Creme De Cacao, Creme De Bannana, Grand Marnier, Chambord, or Frangelico.  You'd be amazed at what you'll come up with when you just look deep into that liqour cabinet!

Hope this helps inspire someone out there to make a nice hot drink to enjoy during this very cold weather.  If you don't end up at the restaurant tonight, please, stay home and whip one of these perfect tipples to warm you souls!


Cheers!!!