I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas Hot Chocolate

My parents bought me an amazing milk frother in Italy this fall (for those who don't have parents in Italy to buy them a frother, see the end of this post). As a result, I have become a highly caffeinated version of myself-and those who know me, know I don't lack in energy! To calm my heart and allow me to fall asleep from time to time, I used my frother to update my favorite Christmas hot chocolate.

To make 4 mugs of hot chocolate:

1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies (or 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and 1-2 drops of red food coloring)
4 cups whole milk

1 cup skim milk
10 ounces good quality white chocolate (if preferred, dark is perfectly fine-Godiva, Ghiradelli or Lake Champlain are nice choices if you are feeling indulgent!)
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Red sprinkles to garnish

Chop up chocolate. In medium saucepan, bring milk to simmer and whisk in chocolate pieces until smooth. Mix in peppermint extract. Remove from heat.

While cocoa is heating, microwave 1 cup skim milk for 2 minutes, until very hot. Pour into milk frother, go nuts, and then fold in crushed peppermint candies.

Pour cocoa into 4 large mugs (a ladle helps here). Spoon milk foam over each mug. Garnish with red and pink sprinkles.

*Add Bailey's, Godiva Liqueur or Peppermint Schnapps for a grown-up version of this cocoa!

Morir Soñando

This drink from the Dominican Republic is very refreshing during a hot summer day. It is sweet, filling and nourishing. A Latino version of the Orange Julius, if you will : )

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
2 cups milk (I like whole, because it tastes richer, but skim is fine as well)
1/4 cup sugar (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Lots of crushed ice!

Option 1:

Mix sugar, milk and vanilla until sugar has incorporated into liquid. Add orange juice and whisk. Pour over ice and serve with a a straw!

Option 2:

Follow steps from option 1, but add to blender and mix until smooth.

Frozen Strawberry Watermelon Margarita

Ingredients: (Makes about 4-6)

5 cups diced watermelon, frozen
1 cup fresh strawberries, stems removed and sliced in half (reserve a few to garnish)
1 cup silver tequila
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4-1/2 cup sugar (depending on how sweet melon is!)

Add frozen watermelon, berries, tequila, lime and sugar to blender and pulse until mixture is softened, then blend until smooth.

Blood Orange Margaritas

Ingredients:
4 blood oranges, juiced
2/3 cup fresh lime juice (from about 4-5 small limes)
2/3 cup orange liquor
1 ½ cups tequila
¼ cup simple syrup (or to taste)
1 blood orange, sliced into wedges
Crushed ice
Ice cubes, for serving

Mix blood orange juice with lime juice, Cointreau, tequila and simple syrup.

Pour mixture into cocktail shaker filled with crushed ice and shake vigorously.

Place a few ice cubes into short cocktail glass and pour margarita over ice.

Garnish with blood orange wedge.

Blood Orange Martini

I'll admit...I am a little obsessed with blood oranges right now. And these are such a refreshing break from the traditional martinis!

To make 1 blood orange martini:
3 oz orange vodka
1/2 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz simple syrup
7 ounces blood orange puree or blood orange juice
Orange twist

Sangria!

If you live in, or visit Boston, go to Somerville and eat at Dali Restaurant (Spanish tapas). Their sangria is amazing. No seltzer . Just amazing wine, liqueurs and fruits. Be warned, it does pack a punch. If you are not so fortunate to visit Dali, this recipe is a close second.

Ingredients:

1 bottle full-bodied, dry red wine, such as Rioja or a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup orange liqueur
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar, or to taste
1 thinly sliced apple, seeds removed
1 thinly sliced orange, seeds removed
1 thinly sliced lemon or lime, seeds removed
Other chopped fruit, such as pineapple, strawberries, etc

Combine wine, juices, sugars and liqueurs in large pitcher. Add fruit and mix well. Taste for sweetness and add sugar if needed. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours. Add ice cubes to glasses before serving.