Cinnamon Spiced Hot Chocolate

Cinnamon Spiced Hot Chocolate

Recipe by Dragon

Real hot chocolate is a beautiful thing and something everyone should enjoy over the holidays and all winter long.  I love this spiced version because cinnamon and chocolate are a wonderful combination. Enjoy!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

3 cups whole milk

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup table cream (18%) or heavy cream (35%)

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 oz shot of espresso or strong coffee

1 tablespoon vanilla

pinch of salt

4 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped (if you want it extra sweet, use semisweet chocolate)

1 cinnamon stick

Garnish: whipped cream and/or cinnamon sticks

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, brown sugar and cream until mixture begins to simmer.

2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and whisk in cocoa powder until it is incorporated. Add espresso, vanilla, salt, chocolate, and cinnamon and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Strain through a fine sieve and serve hot. This can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Just reheat before serving.

Bourbon, Citrus & Mint Sweet Tea

Bourbon, Citrus & Mint Sweet Tea

A boozy, refreshing and delicious take on the perfect summer drink; iced tea. Use whatever tea you like, I kept it simple with regular black tea but any flavoured black tea or herbal tea would be delicious in this drink. Enjoy!


Serves 4-6

Ingredients
3 cups water
1/3 - 1/2 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you'd like it)
4 black tea bags
1/4 cup fresh mint or lemon verbena leaves
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 orange, sliced
1 to 1 1/2 cups bourbon (depending on how strong you'd like your drink)
Lemon or limes for garnish



Directions:

1. Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir the sugar to make sure it is dissolved.Take the pan off the heat and add the tea bags and mint. Let the tea steep for 5 - 10 minutes, depending on how strong you want the tea.

2. Remove the tea bags and mint (drain well to get out all the liquid) and transfer the liquid to a pitcher. Add the lemon, lime, and orange slices and let it cool to room temperature. Add bourbon, cover and store in the refrigerator until it is well chilled.

3. Serve in glasses filled with ice and garnish with thin lemon or limes slices.

Pomegranate Mint Cocktail

Pomegranate Mint Cocktail
Recipe by Dragon

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Holiday season and hoping 2013 is your best year yet! Ring in the New Year with a few glasses of this delicious cocktail. It's been my favourite this season and I'm sure it will become a new holiday tradition for me in the future. Enjoy!

Serves: 1

Ingredients:
1 mint leaf
1 oz vodka
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1 1/2 oz pomegranate juice

Garnishes (optional):
Whole or crushed candy canes
Pomegranate seeds

Directions:

1. Tear and bruise the mint leaf, then add it to a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. 

2. Pour the vodka, triple sec and pomegranate juice in shaker and shake for 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker is cold from the ice. Strain the drink into a martini glass rimmed with

crushed candy canes (optional).

3. Add a few pomegranate seeds to the glass (optional)

Ginger, Lemon & Honey Tea

Ginger, Lemon & Honey Tea
Recipe by Dragon

Whenever I'm under the weather I always turn to my Ginger, Lemon & Honey tea to make me feel better. I drink it hot and cold. I always make a huge batch that lasts in the fridge for up to a week. Why ginger, lemon and honey? Each ingredient has medicinal qualities and when combined, they create a soothing tea that can relieve cold/flu symptoms and boost the immune system. I also think it's really delicious so this 'medicine' goes down easy. Enjoy!

Makes: 8 cups

Ingredients:

8 cups water
1/2 cup fresh ginger, peeled, chopped small
Peel of 2 lemons (just the zest not the pith), cut into thick strips
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup honey (add more or less depending on how sweet you want it)
pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a large pan.

2. Once it is boiling, add the ginger, lemon peel, lemon juice, honey & salt.

3. Cover it and reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the tea.

4. Enjoy the tea immediately or let it come to room temperature then store in the fridge.

Dragon's Fury Cocktail

Dragon's Fury Cocktail
Recipe by Dragon

I made this cocktail for my last 7 Deadly Sins dinner. I started the dinner with Wrath and I wanted a cocktail that would get everyone's attention. Oh this got people's attention all right! It was spicy, sweet and oh so yummy. I asked each of the guests to try a little of the syrup to see how much heat they could handle and adjusted the cocktail to their tastes....but I did dare them to be brave and most were. I loved this cocktail. I hope you do too. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Lime wedges
1 part scotch bonnet-ginger syrup (or to taste) *see below
3 parts vodka
3 parts mango nectar
1 part blood orange juice

Garnish Options:
Cane sugar
Fresh mango slices
Lime slices

Scotch Bonnet & Ginger Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 scotch bonnet peppers, trimmed & cut in half
2 oz piece of ginger, peeled & sliced thickly

Directions:

* Syrup:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Heat the mixture until the sugar & water dissolve and just before boiling. Take off the heat.

2. Remove scotch bonnet peppers about 5 minutes after taking it off the heat. Leave the ginger to steep in the syrup as it cools completely.

3. Strain the syrup into a jar, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

Cocktail:
1. Muddle the lime and syrup in a chilled shaker.

2. Fill with ice and add the vodka, mango nectar and blood orange juice.

3. Shake well and strain into chilled martini glass.

4. Garnish to taste.

Spicy Bloody Mary

Spicy Bloody Mary
Recipe adapted from the Gods

My third contribution to this year's #GreatHallowTweet is a Spicy Bloody Mary. I love these. Love, love, love. And what could be a more sinister sounding drink? Huh? Halloween would not be the same without a little blood. ;) Enjoy!

Serves: 1

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 cup tomato/vegetable cocktail juice
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
Worcestershire sauce to taste
Tabasco to taste
1 celery stick for garnish
1 lime wedge for garnish
Hickory salt to rim the glass

Directions:
1. Combine the vodka, tomato/vegetable juice, lime juice, worcestershire sauce and tabasco in a cocktail mixer.

2. Shake the mixture well and strain it into a hickory salt rimmed glass (filled with ice cubes, optional). Garnish the Bloody Mary with the celery stick and a lime wedge.

The #GreatHallowTweet Halloween BlogHop was the brain child of the fabulous Renee at Flamingo Musings. During this week leading up to Halloween a devilish group of bloggers are causing mayheim and carnage all over the interwebs. Be sure to visit my fellow ghouls and goblins and see what Halloween treats they have cooking.(The list is the under Great Hallow column on the left panel.)

Chocolate, Banana & Peanut Butter Milkshake

Chocolate, Banana & Peanut Butter Milkshake
Recipe by Dragon

Oh yeah, my Chocolate, Banana & Peanut Butter milkshake brings ALL the boys to the yard. I added some Chocolate Liquor because it was the weekend and I'm an adult. ;) Enjoy!

Serves: 2 or if you're having one of those days, it serves 1

Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas
4 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
3 scoops of ice cream
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1/3 cup milk or more depending on how thick you like your shakes.
2 oz chocolate liquor (optional)
Chocolate syrup for garnish

Directions:

1. Put all the ingredients into a blender and whhhrrr away. :)

2. Pour the milkshake into tall glasses decorated with chocolate syrup and drizzle more chocolate syrup over the milkshake.

3. Enjoy!

Titanic Uplift Cocktail

Titanic Uplift Cocktail
Adapted from 1001 Cocktails

This past weekend, I got together with several friends for another Titanic Dinner, featuring dishes that were served on that fateful voyage. I'll be featuring some of these dishes all week.

We started the evening with this delicious cocktail. We don't think this drink was actually served on the Titanic but since it was named after Titanic, we thought this drink was appropriate. This drink is refreshingly sweet and I love the lime green colour. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 oz melon liqueur
1 oz gin
4 oz orange juice
Squeeze of lime juice
Lime to Garnish
Ice

Directions:

1. Shake and strain into a large martini glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime slice.

Fallen Apple

Fallen Apple
Recipe from lcbo.com

This drink is seriously addictive. It is both refreshing and sweet. One taste and you'll be wanting to have this all the time. Enjoy!

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
Ice
2 oz apple Vodka (or regular vodka)
1 oz Southern Comfort (a spiced bourbon whiskey)
Apple juice
Green apple slices for garnish
Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill two tall glasses with ice. Add 1 oz apple vodka and ½ oz Southern Comfort to each glass.

2. Top with apple juice. Garnish with green apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

Mocha Hot Chocolate

Mocha Hot Chocolate
Recipe by Dragon

Brrrrrrr....it's been really cold and snowy up here in Canada this week. We don't call it the great white north for nothing. This mocha hot chocolate is one of my favourite ways to stay warm. Hey, what can I say? I like my hot chocolate like I like my men; smooth, creamy, steamy and with just a touch of alcohol. You may now commence rolling your eyes. :) Enjoy!

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
2 heaped tablespoons of really good cocoa powder 1/4 prepared strong coffee/espresso
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon of Bailey's Irish Cream
1/4 cup steamed frothed milk or whipped cream
Cocoa powder to garnish

Directions:
1. Heat the milk, cream, sugar, cocoa powder, coffee/espresso, vanilla and Bailey's together in a small pot. Heat until everything has dissolved and the mixture is hot and steamy.

2. Pour the hot chocolate into two cups and top with frothed milk or whipped cream.

3. Sprinkle with some cocoa powder to garnish.

Vanilla Lemon Apple Cider

Vanilla Lemon Apple Cider
Recipe by Dragon

The smell of this vanilla lemon apple cider will make your head spin. It is Christmas in a cup and it's absolutely delicious. I wish someone would capture this scent and make a perfume. Hmmm, maybe I'm on to something. Enjoy!

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:
8 cups apple cider
1/4 cup brandy (optional)
4 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
10 whole peppercorns
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
5 cloves
5 cardomon pods, crushed
1/2 lemon, quartered
1/4 cup honey
1 vanilla bean
Lemon slices and cinnamon sticks to garnish

Directions:

1. In a large sauce pan over medium heat, combine apple cider, brandy, cinnamon sticks, star anise, peppercorns, nutmeg, cloves, cardomon pods, lemon and honey.

2. Split the vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds. Add both the seeds and the bean to the apple cider mixture.

3. Bring the cider to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the apple cider and keep it warm.

4. Serve immediately with a slice of lemon and a cinnamon stick.

Pineapple Citrus Punch

Pineapple Citrus Punch
Recipe by Dragon

This delicious punch was thrown together haphazardly and it end up tasting amazing. It is sweet and tart and refreshing. Try it with or without the vodka. You'll love it. Enjoy!

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:
2 cups lemonade
2 cups orange juice
3 cups pineapple juice
2 cups gingerale
1 to 1 1/2 cups vodka
pineapple spears for garnish
fresh cranberries for garnish
ice cubes

Directions:

1. Combine the first 5 ingredients and keep chilled until ready to serve.

2. Serve over ice cubes. Garnish with pineapple spears and cranberries.

Peachy Sunrise Smoothie

Peachy Sunrise Smoothie
Recipe by John Taylor of Domus Cafe, Ottawa

A photo of this drink in a magazine blew me away and I needed to try it. Peaches, yogurt, raspberries and a kick makes this a delicious start to a weekend morning.

Makes: 2

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups frozen peaches, sliced and slightly thawed
3/4 cup Greek yogurt, plain
1/2 cup milk
2 oz Peach Schnapps *
1 tablespoon liquid honey
1 oz Framboise (raspberry liquor)*
4 raspberries
4 mint leaves

Directions:
1) Combine peaches, yogurt, milk, peach schnapps and honey in a blender. Add a little more milk if the mixture seems too thick.

2) Divide smoothie between two 12 oz glasses; drizzle Framboise into each glass, dividing evenly (Framboise will sink slowly to the bottom of the glass).

3) Garnish with raspberries and mint leaves. Serve at once.

* Note: You can omit the alcohol in the smoothie by replacing the peach schnapps with pineapple juice or more milk. Raspberry syrup or a raspberry puree can replace the Framboise.

Raspberry & Watermelon Sparkling Ice Tea

Raspberry & Watermelon Sparkling Ice Tea
Recipe by Dragon

This is a wonderfully refreshing summer drink. It’s a sparkling ice tea that is not too tart and not too sweet. My secret ingredient is cinnamon!

Serves: 9

4 cups boiling water
3 raspberry tea bags
1 cup raspberries
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Raspberry Liquor
4 cups of watermelon, chilled, pureed/strained
3 cups sparkling wine , chilled *** (see note)


Directions:

1. To the boiling water add the tea bags, 1/2 the raspberries, cinnamon stick, sugar and liquor. Let stand. Remove the cinnamon stick after 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags after 10 minutes.

2. Let the tea mixture come to room temperature. Chill for 2 hours.

3. Strain the tea mixture into a glass pitcher. Strain the watermelon juice through a fine strainer. Add the watermelon juice to the tea and mix well.

4. To serve, fill a tall glass 2/3 with the raspberry/watermelon tea. Top the glass with cold sparking wine. Garnish with raspberries and watermelon cubes.

*** Note: You can make this ice tea without the sparking wine. It will be sweeter without the wine so adjust the sugar to your liking. You can also substitute the wine with ginger ale or club soda.

Spicy Sangria

Seven Deadly Sins Dinner (WRATH)

Spicy Sangria

I wanted to start the evening off with a real kick, something to let people know this was a dinner of DEADLY sins, baby! The choice became obvious: I’ll start with Wrath.

So how to unleash the fire, but still surprise my guests with something unexpected? A Spicy Sangria seemed the perfect opportunity. Normally Sangria (a Portuguese/Spanish wine-punch) is a cooling drink to satisfy your thirst and wipe away the heat of the day. Not my Deadly Sin version. This Sangria is unusual because of the addition of jalapeno peppers, and because it is made with white wine rather than the traditional red. I used white wine so my guests could see all the beautiful fruit and the peppers. The heat came through, but it was still very refreshing.

My guests loved the daring beginning, which helped them get into the spirit of things. The Sangria perfectly set the tone for the evening to come.


Spicy Sangria
Recipe by Dragon

Serves: 6

Ingredients:
4 cups Vinho Verde wine or any dry white wine * (see note)
3 tablespoons brandy
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and quartered
2 medium tart green apples, diced
3 medium peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced
2 cups ginger ale
½ cup raspberries

Directions:
1. Combine all the ingredients except for the ginger ale and raspberries in a large serving pitcher, mixing well. Refrigerate overnight.

2. Just before serving, mix in the ginger ale and add raspberries. Serve over ice in tall glasses.

* Note: Vinho Verde wine is a Portuguese white wine. I used a dry Sogrape Gazela Vinho Verde. If you can’t find a Vinho Verde wine, use any dry white wine.

A CONFESSION – At first my guests were shy about confessing a sin. So, I suggested we give a toast instead. After a while of discussing what we could toast to that involved Wrath, one of my guests said that the only person who has incurred her wrath was her ex-husband. We all laughed and nodded in understanding as each of us had an ex as well. So we toasted; To our exes.

Back to the Seven Deadly Sins Dinner

Spicy Mocha

Spicy Mocha
Giada De Laurentiis

Serves: 8

4 1/2 cups whole milk
4 small dried red chilies (such as chilies de arbol)
3 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
3 cups espresso
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup whipping cream

Combine the milk, chilies, and cinnamon sticks in a heavy large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Remove from the heat. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Whisk in the espresso, sugar, and 1 cup of cocoa powder. Bring the hot chocolate to a simmer, whisking often. Discard the chilies and cinnamon sticks.

Meanwhile, whisk the powdered sugar and remaining 1/4 cup cocoa powder in a large bowl to blend. Add the cream and whisk until the mixture is thick.

Ladle the hot chocolate into 8 mugs. Spoon the chocolate whipped cream atop and serve immediately.

Homemade Lemonade

Dragon's Lemonade
Recipe by Dragon

Serves: 6

10 lemons, juice only or 2 cups fresh lemon juice
3 cups water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup bunch fresh mint

In a heavy bottom saucepan combine sugar and 1 cup of water, heat over a low-medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Place fresh mint in the simple syrup and chill for at least one hour.

Combine lemon juice, simple syrup and remaining water in a large pitcher. Chill for at least an hour. Serve with lemon slices and fresh mint.

Fruit Smoothies

Fruit Smoothies
Recipe by Dragon

Serves: 4

2 ripe bananas, peeled and quartered
1 cup sliced strawberries
Honey to taste
1 cup non-fat milk
2 tablespoons high energy powder
2 cups crushed ice

In a blender cup, add the bananas and strawberries. Sweeten the fruit to taste with the honey. Add the milk and energy powder. Place the blender cup on the blender and on medium speed. Puree until smooth. Add the crushed ice and continue to blend until smooth. If one prefers the smoothie to be thicker add a little more ice. Serve immediately.