Hot Cocoa Mix

We have snow! Really, it is almost the first time this whole winter!  The cold reminded me that I intended to share all my favorite warm drinks here.  These are the things the kids go for when they come in from playing in the snow. This post is followed by Cinnamon Milk Mix and Russian Refresher Mix. I try to keep them on hand all winter, they are so nice to have!

My mother made cocoa mix when I was a kid, my kids just think this is how cocoa is done.  The original recipe for this came from Make a Mix, but this is my own version, tweaked to my taste. 

Hot Cocoa Mix
10 2/3 c. instant  nonfat dry milk (a 25.6 oz. package)
2 1/2 c. powdered non-dairy creamer
2 c. powdered sugar
1 (20 oz.) container Nestle Quik or other instant chocolate drink mix

Combine all ingredients in a very large bowl and whisk together until it is uniform in color.  Store in an airtight, labeled container and use within 6 months.

To Make Hot Cocoa: Place 1/3 c. cocoa mix in an 8 oz. cup and fill with hot water.  Stir.

Notes:  We have gone through 4 batches of this since Halloween!  I have used all kinds of chocolate drink mixes for this, and although they all work, I really prefer Nestle. 

Jenny

Cinnamon Milk Mix

This is my favorite warm drink.  This picture is the dry mix.

Cinnamon Milk Mix
2 c. powdered milk
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 c. powdered non-dairy creamer
1 1/4 c. sugar

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring until mix is uniform in color.  Store in an airtight container, labeled with contents.  Use within six months.

To Make Cinnamon Milk: Place 1/3 c. mix in an 8 oz. cup,  fill with hot water and stir.  You may add a drop of vanilla if you like. (I do.)

Notes: Use instant non-fat dry milk.  I double the recipe.

Jenny

Russian Refresher Mix

This warm and spicy citrus drink mix comes from Make-a-Mix Cookbook.  It is my husband's favorite.

Russian Refresher Mix
2 c. powdered orange drink mix (I use Tang)
1 (3 oz.) package pre-sweetened powdered lemonade mix
1 1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well (a whisk works great for this).  Store in an airtight container, labeled with contents.  Use within 6 months.

To make Russian Refresher: Place 2-3 tsp. mix in a cup, add 1 c. hot water and stir.

Notes: I double the recipe.

Jenny

Butterscotch Cocoa

We had so much fun cooking on New Year's Eve!  This is one that everyone loved.  Serve it in small portions, it is as rich as drinking candy!  Delightful!

Butterscotch Cocoa
1 pkg. (12 oz) butterscotch morsels
2 Tbsp. butter
3 or 4 cans (12 oz.) evaporated milk
4 c. water
2 tsp. rum extract
dash of nutmeg

Whipping cream, whipped (only lightly sweetened)

In large saucepan, melt butterscotch morsels and butter stirring over medium heat until melted and hot.  Stir in milk, water, extract and nutmeg.  Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream.

Jenny

Mint Punch

This is a refreshing, grown up sort of lemonade.  It makes a concentrate syrup which will last in your fridge for a couple of weeks.  My kids like this, but I make it as a personal treat for me.  I have to tell a sad tale however about photographing this.  I do not own a glass for lemonade.  My friend Molly always teases me about my "fancy" glasses.  She is referring to the vast assortment of plastic, child friendly drinking vessels that cannot actually be considered a "glass" which make up my entire collection.  Therefore, I really have nothing to photograph to suggest to you how nice a tall glass of this can be.  Someone pour a glassful and send me a photo!  Molly?

Mint Punch

for the syrup:
2 1/2 c. water
2 c. sugar
Combine in a sauce pan and boil for 10 min.  In a separate bowl combine:
2 c. fresh mint leaves and stems (washed, roughly chopped)
juice of 6 lemons
zest from 2 lemons
zest and juice from 2 oranges
Pour boiling syrup over the mint leaves mixture.  Cover and let cool.  Strain syrup through a mesh sieve.  To serve, add 2-3 Tbsp. of syrup to a glass and fill with Sprite or ginger ale.  Add ice.  You can adjust the syrup ratio to your taste, but start small, as it is pretty strong.  Store this in the refrigerator.

Pull a chair under a shady tree, sit down with a book and your punch and enjoy summer!
Jenny