Bailey's Chocolatini

Good morning! I do not know about you but by New Years Eve I am a little tuckered out from all of the holiday celebrations so there are years that I do not actually make it until midnight.

This year I am going to try but to make it to the countdown but I will not be out partying, I will be home celebrating quietly with a small group of family and friends. I am still working on the menu but one of the cocktails is going to be this Bailey's Chocolatini, after all what is a celebration without a little chocolate.

Bailey's Chocolatini

2 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream

1/4 oz. of vodka

1/2 oz. Godiva Chocolate liquor

Pour sprinkles into a saucer, bub the rim of a martini glass with lemon and place glass upside down in saucer to line rim. Place a few ice cubes into a shaker, add all liquors, shake well and pour into a chilled glass. Enjoy!

I hope that you have a happy and safe celebration! Remember to drink responsibly and do not drink and drive.

Happy New Year!

Linking to:
Stone Gable The Scoop

Green & Blacks Luxury Cocoa

Luxury Cocoa

Recipe from Green & Blacks Chocolate Recipes

1 cup of whole milk

2 tablespoons of heavy cream

2 cinnamon sticks, about 2 inches long

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons of sugar

Put the milk, cream and cinnamon sticks in a pan and slowly bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for 10 minutes.

When ready to serve remove cinnamon sticks and reheat the milk. In a mug add cocoa powder and enough milk to form a paste and stir.

When milk is just heated pour into mug and stir to blend, then add the sugar to taste and stir well, serve with cinnamon sticks.

Linking to:
The Scoop on Stone Gable
Savvy Southern Style

Bailey's Hot Chocolate

Just in case you feel like you need something a little stronger than traditional hot chocolate. 

Bailey's Irish Cream Hot Chocolate

2 cups of milk

21/2 oz. dark chocolate, chopped

11/2 oz. Baileys Irish Cream

Directions:

In a small saucepan boil the milk. Once boiled remove from heat and add the chocolate, whisk until smooth. Add Bailey's Irish Cream and garnish with whipped cream.

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

A Merry Christmas to you! I hope that your day is filled with the love of family and friends!

Wittamer Hot Chocolate

Good morning can you believe that it is only five days until Christmas?  I have so much to do and yet I find myself not wanting to do anything but sit around with a cup of cocoa and watch old Christmas movies. Thankfully I am almost finished, and frankly what is left is really just extra so if it is not finished no big deal.

One of the things I have been doing while I am procrastinating about my holiday projects is experimenting with chocolate drinks. This is one of my new favorites, Wittamer Hot Chocolate from David Leibovitz. The recipe is from his cookbook The Great Book of Chocolate, which is filled with wonderful recipes, and suggestions of chocolate shops and cafes around the world.  

Wittamer Hot Chocolate

Recipe David LebovitzDavid Lebovitz

1 quart of whole milk or half and half

8 oz. of bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

4 oz. milk chocolate, chopped

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

In a saucepan heat the chocolates and 1 CUP of the milk. Stir until melted. Then add the remaining milk and cinnamon and heat.

Stir briskly with whisk or use and immersion blender to make this smooth and creamy.

I should tell you that this is European drinking chocolate, not nasty powered stuff from a mix. It is very strong, and chocolaty. Even though the recipe serves four your could probably serve six people, a little of this tasty drink goes a long way.

Enjoy the hot chocolate. 

Neilsen Massey Peppermint Hot Chocolate

I am a huge fan of hot chocolate but then again if you read this blog you already knew that. Now that the weather is getting downright cold and the holidays just around the corner this Peppermint Hot Chocolate is the perfect drink for yourself and your guests.

Recently, Neilsen-Massey the vanilla and flavoring company offered me the opportunity to try a few of their products. As I routinely use the Vanilla and Vanilla bean paste I thought I would branch out and try something new, one of the flavors I choose was the peppermint extract and boy am I happy that I did.

The pure peppermint extract is smooth and is the perfect compliment to the rich chocolate flavor of this cocoa. There is no aftertaste, just a sweet, fresh and minty flavor. In addition to hot chocolate I think it would be fabulous in cakes and brownies, not to mention a few savory dishes as well. 

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

1/2 cup heavy cream, divided

1 teaspoon, plus 2 tablespoons of sugar

2 cups of whole milk

1/2 cup of half and half

5 oz. 60% chocolate, chopped

1/4 teaspoon Nielsen Massey Peppermint Extract 

candy canes or Andes Peppermint candy for garnish

Take 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of sugar and whip until soft peaks form. Set aside in refrigerator.

In a medium saucepan add half and half, milk and 2 tablespoons of sugar, whisk together over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add the chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth then add the extract and mix again. Pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream, candy canes or chopped peppermint candy.

I hope that you have a great holiday. Enjoy your time with family and friends this week!

NOTE: I have not been compensated for this post. I was given a sample of  the product.  My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way by the manufacturer. 

Herhey's "Perfectly Chcocolate" Hot Cocoa

Tis' the Season to be jolly, fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la. I have my halls decked, presents wrapped and shipped and I am ready to settle in and relax. 

I love relaxing with a cup of homemade hot cocoa while sitting next to a roaring fire, and a good book. I think it is the perfect way to end the day. Don't you?

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Hot Cocoa

Recipe from Hershey's

1/4 Tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 cup of sugar

3 cups of milk

1 cup of heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon of vanilla

whipped cream for garnish

In a small bowl mix sugar and cocoa and set aside. In a saucepan heat milk to just boiling. Once boiling mix 1/3 cup of milk into the cocoa/sugar mixture and stir until creamy, then pour into the hot milk and whisk then stir in vanilla and whisk again. Pour into mugs and serve with marshmallows or whipped cream. 

I hope you have a wonderful holiday!