I love winter for a multitude of reasons, the first, of course, being that I live in sunny Southwest Florida and a winter day for us is a balmy 60 degrees. But a close second is the seasonal fare that accompanies winter weather: root vegetables, casseroles and other comfort foods and hot drinks like mulled wine and hot cider.<\/p>\n
Of course, my favorite <\/em>of the winter drinks are hot chocolates and various coffee beverages, and lately I\u2019m seeing punched-up versions of each all over the place\u2014like spiced hot chocolate with star anise, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg and red pepper flakes, or mocha hot chocolate with espresso powder and vanilla. If you feel like an adult version of hot cocoa, try adding a splash of Bailey\u2019s to your recipe of choice\u2014or there\u2019s always Nigella Lawson\u2019s \u201cAlcoholic Hot Chocolate\u201d recipe (http:\/\/www.foodnetwork.com\/recipes\/nigella-lawson\/alcoholic-hot-chocolate-recipe\/index.html<\/a>), which incorporates vanilla, brown sugar, honey and dark rum into the already almost-perfect combination of milk and dark chocolate.<\/p>\n The most famous of the hot chocolate drinks, though, is New York City institution Serendipity\u2019s frozen hot chocolate (http:\/\/www.epicurious.com\/recipes\/food\/views\/Frrrozen-Hot-Chocolate-Serendipitys-Best-Kept-Secret-109560<\/a>). People come from all over the world to taste it (and break their diet resolutions); really, it\u2019s what put hot chocolate on the map and elevated it to a gourmet beverage from a home cook\u2019s favorite. Click on the link above for a version of the restaurant\u2019s recipe and enjoy.<\/p>\n I love coffee drinks, too, and Brasserie Belge here in Sarasota has the art of decadent caffeinated beverages down to a science. The restaurant\u2019s Belgian iced coffee with vanilla ice cream is just as easy to make at home as it is to order off the menu; serve with a spoon and enjoy. Similarly, the classic Italian affogato<\/em>\u2014hot espresso over ice cream or, even better, gelato\u2014makes for a delicious after-dinner drink. If you\u2019re in the mood for something cold, how about a Kahlua-spiked frozen mocha latte, courtesy of Bon Appetit<\/em>? (http:\/\/www.epicurious.com\/recipes\/food\/views\/Kahlua-Spiked-Frozen-Mocha-Lattes-360236<\/a>) \u00a0Kahlua, espresso, cocoa powder and vanilla combine to form an ultra-decadent drink that, when topped with whipped cream, is guaranteed to send you straight to coffee heaven.<\/p>\n Do you love coffee drinks and hot chocolate drinks as much as I do? What\u2019s your favorite twist to put on these classic beverages?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I love winter for a multitude of reasons, the first, of course, being that I live in sunny Southwest Florida … <\/p>\n