November 28, 2022
Warm Drinks To Get You Through Winter (With Dessert Pairings!)
There’s a chill in the air and you need something hot to warm you up. Why not cozy up by the fire with a nice warm beverage? Even better if it’s got a little adult-friendly ingredients!
If it’s too cold to head out on the town, stay in and create your own comfy and warm ambiance. Take the chill off with a few of our favorite hot drinks and cocktail recipes.
These are also great winter cocktails for parties or gatherings when the cold weather keeps you huddled together.
Hot Bourbon Apple Cider
Apple cider is great whether you add booze or not! This is an easy recipe to satisfy the whole family.
Ingredients:
· 1 packet True Lemon Kids Crisp Apple
· 2 ounces of bourbon
· Rosemary sprig for garnish
Directions:
1. Fill mug with 6 ounces of hot water. Mix one packet of Kids Crisp Apple until dissolved.
2. Add 2 ounces of bourbon and stir.
3. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and serve hot.
Dessert Pairing: We love this to along with with a few Sunshine Biscotti made with True Orange.
True Lemon Hot Toddy
This is a refreshing twist on a classic hot cocktail know for its healing properties. Whether you’re feeling a little under the (cold) weather or not, you’ll love curling up on the couch with a warm hot toddy spiced with cinnamon.
Ingredients:
· 1 ounce (2 tbsp) bourbon or whiskey
· 1 tbsp honey
· 1 packet True Lemon
· ¼ cup boiling water
· Cinnamon sticks (optional)
Directions:
1. Pour bourbon, honey and True Lime into a 6-ounce mug.
2. Top off with hot water and stir until honey and True Lemon are dissolved.
3. Add a stick of cinnamon for extra spice, if desired!
Dessert Pairing: Pull out even more of that delicious honey flavor when you nibble on a slice of Honey Cake with a True Lemon glaze.
Apple Hot Toddy
Can’t decide between apple cider and hot toddy? No worries! Mix the two with and let the flavors meld together for a new favorite cup of delicious.
Ingredients:
· 1 green tea or black tea bag
· 1 ½ ounces of rye whiskey or bourbon
· 2 ounces apple cider
· 1 packet of True Lemon
· Garnish options: thin, round lemon slices; cinnamon stick; star anise
Directions:
1. Bring water to a simmer and carefully pour it over the tea bag into an 10-ounce mug. Leave about an inch of room.
2. Steep the tea 4 minutes before discarding the tea bag.
3. Pour in the rye whiskey or bourbon and add apple cider. Adjust amounts to suit your taste.
4. Add True Lemon and stir. Add garnishes if desired.
Dessert Pairing: These yummy Rock Cakes are the perfect balance for this beverage.
Spiked Orange Hot Chocolate
Give a citrus spin on a favorite sweet and warm drink. Feel free to substitute other liquors in this spiked hot chocolate recipe, adapted from Momtastic.
Ingredients:
· 8 ounces regular or Mexican hot chocolate
· 1 ounce orange liqueur
· 1 ounce brandy or bourbon
· 1 packet True Orange
· Optional toppings: whipped cream, marshmallows, dark chocolate syrup
Directions:
1. Cook up a pot of your favorite hot chocolate. Add True Orange while it simmers on the stove.
2. When done, fill mug with hot chocolate and add orange liqueur and brandy or bourbon. Stir gently.
3. Add desired toppings and enjoy!
Dessert Pairing: Call us chocoholics, but why not add chocolate to chocolate?! Enjoy this one with a side of True Orange Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookies.
Hot Mulled Wine
Mulled cider or wine is another great way to warm up. Try out this recipe, adapted from All Recipes.
Ingredients:
· 1 ½ cups boiling water
· ½ cup sugar
· 4 packets True Lemon
· 8 whole cloves
· 1 cinnamon stick
· 1 bottle red wine
· Ground nutmeg
Directions:
1. Stir water and sugar together in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved.
2. Add True Lemon, cloves and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil and cook until the flavors combine, about 10 minutes.
3. Strain and return water mixture to the saucepan. Discard cloves and cinnamon stick.
4. Stir wine into water mixture and heat until hot but not boiling, about 5 to 10 minutes. Serve with a pinch of nutmeg on top.
Dessert Pairing: Wine goes great with dessert. And these Mixed Berry Jam Scrolls will be a perfect complement.
Hot Buttered Rum
Another classic. This scrumptious beverage will definitely warm your heart. Try this recipe, adapted from The Pioneer Woman.
Ingredients:
· ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
· 1 cup light brown sugar, packed firmly
· 1 tbsp apple pie spice
· 12 ounces spiced dark rum
· 4 packets True Orange
· 6 cloves
· 6 star anise, optional
· 6 cinnamon sticks, optional
Directions:
1. Combine butter, sugar, apple pie spice and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Add tablespoons of the mixture into each of 6 mugs. Pour about ¾ cup of hot water over the butter and stir to combine. Add 2 ounces of rum to the mugs and stir.
3. Pour ½ packet of True Orange into each mug and stir. Add 1 clove to each mug along with 1 piece star anise and a cinnamon stick for spice if desired. Serve immediately.
Dessert Pairing: If you enjoy the spice and feel like you’re missing the flavor of your pumpkin spice latte, try pairing this with a slice True Lemon Pumpkin Roll.
Written by
Amy Cimo is a Nutrition Coach, Personal Trainer and Wellness Enthusiast based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After going through her own health journey, she found her passion in helping others find balance between nutrition, physical activity and mindset to live healthy and be truly happy. Amy attended Louisiana State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She became a Certified Personal Trainer in 2021 through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and a Certified Nutrition Coach in 2022 through Precision Nutrition.
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