Copyright 2007 by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss
Photography 2007 by Marshall Gordon
copyright Brian Chao
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Croup, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
www.crownpublishing.com
www.tenspeed.com
Ten Speed Press and the Ten Speed Press colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.
Food styling by Kim Konecny
Prop styling by Julia Scahill
Photography assistance by Nicki Loverso and Robin Johnson
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Heiss, Mary Lou.
Hot drinks: cider, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, spiced punch, spirits / Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss.
p. cm.
Summary: A collection of fifty alcoholic and nonalcoholic hot drink recipes suitable for cold-weather and holiday entertaining, featuring more than thirty full-color photographs
Includes index.
eBook ISBN: 9781607745600
Hardcover ISBN: 9781580088848
1. Beverages. I. Heiss, Robert J. II. Title.
TX815.H44 2007
641.2dc22 2007016977
v3.1
contents
introduction
When the long days of summer turn cool and crisp, we stow away outdoor grills and retreat to the warmth of the kitchen. After we replenish the pantry and sift through our favorite cold-weather recipes, comforting oven-baked dishes make a reappearance on the dinner table. And as fall colors fade into winter, each month brings new opportunities to gather family and friends together in celebration of the coming holiday season.
As our menus change with the season, our preferences in beverages also shift, from icy warm-weather refreshers to enticing cold-weather warmers. Hot drinks the very words conjure sensations of coziness, comfort, and a kaleidoscope of sweet, spicy, and creamy goodness. With a wealth of flavors and a wide variety of inviting tastes, the palette of hot drinks offers something for everyone: smooth chocolates, tantalizing coffees, cosmopolitan teas and tisanes, fruited punches, bedtime soothers, and stylish cocktails.
Whether familiar or exotic, sweet or savory, hot drinks have a magical aura. Regardless of whether they include alcohol, hot drinks express hospitality and conviviality on any occasion: a casual luncheon, a formal soiree, a board game in front of a crackling fire, or a family gathering to celebrate a special moment. It seems like only seconds until the toasty glow from a hot beverage warms us from head to toe.
So dust off your punch bowl, set out your finest cups and saucers, or wrap your chilly hands around your favorite oversized mug. Treat yourselfand your loved ones or gueststo the pleasures of the easy-to-prepare and dressed-up drinks in this book. In these pages, youll find the perfect beverage for every phase of autumn and winter.
Hot glasses of , made with fistfuls of fresh mint plucked from the late-season garden, allow us to connect with the fading warmth of summer for one last moment.
After an afternoon of cheering on the hometown football team, treat the gang to steaming mugs of .
When the family gathers around the table for a pumpkin carving contest, serve a platter of homemade cookies .
Whether youre the veteran host of the annual Thanksgiving gathering or a newlywed hosting the family gathering for the first time, surprise your guests with a pitcher of .
When the north wind scatters the last leaves of autumn, bare-branched silhouettes remind us that the blustery days of winterand the festive holiday seasonare approaching. This yuletide, chase away the bah-humbug blues by rounding up friends and family to celebrate in gatherings large or small. A glittery punch bowl filled with ruby red around the kitchen table?
De-stress after a flurry-filled day of holiday shopping and gift wrapping with a soothing mug of .
A unique or unexpected drink can turn any occasion into a festive one, so savvy hosts serve signature drinks when they want to turn things up a notch. Increase the wow factor at your next winter party by offering sleek glasses of .
Whether youre partial to the , youre sure to find more than a few new favorites in this book. Any of these recipes can be adjusted to suit your taste. Use them as templates for experimentation to create your own repertoire of hot drinks.
And when you ring in the New Year with cocktails, you might just end up being the toast of the town. Cheers!
pantry essentials
If you keep a few key pantry ingredients on hand, youll be ready to whip up a batch of tasty hot drinks whenever the occasion arises. Nearly all of the ingredients in these recipes are readily available, and acceptable substitutions are suggested for more unusual items. Some liquors can be purchased in small amounts, which means you can amass a collection of new tastes without spending a fortune.
absolut citron and absolut peppar
The Swedish company Absolut is known for its flavored vodkas that incorporate all-natural ingredients ranging from chile peppers to vanilla to citrus and other fruits. Absolute Citron is flavored with lemon and lime, and Absolut Peppar is flavored with red and green chile peppers and a suspected dash of ground chile.
apple cider
Depending on where you live, you may be able to purchase sweet apple cider year-round. Look for cloudy, fresh-pressed cider made by an orchard or cider maker in your area. Avoid using crystal clear apple juice, which lacks the full flavor and body of freshly pressed cider.
aquavit
Also known as akvavit , this crystal-clear spirit is the national drink of several Scandinavian countries. Aquavit , which means water of life, is intended to be drunk ice-cold and plain with food. Although it closely resembles vodka, it has a refreshing light caraway flavor that makes it a good choice for adding subtle flavor when crafting cocktails.
blood orange bitters
All varieties of bitters are used as an accent flavoring and to give desirable astringency and pull (a term used to describe dryness) to well-made cocktails and mixed drinks. Bitters can be used to stimulate appetites before a meal or to help with overindulgence afterward. Most formulas are a proprietary blend of ingredients and may include herbs, berries, fruits, roots, and flowers. Some bitters contain alcohol, others do not. If you cant find blood orange bitters, orange bitters can be used in its place.
cardamom
Cardamom, a member of the ginger family, is native to India and Sri Lanka. Its seedpods, used for culinary purposes, are available in white and green varieties. White cardamom is green cardamom that has been bleached with sulfur dioxide to sweeten the flavor and round out the aroma. White cardamom is commonly used in Scandinavian and German baked goods. Green cardamom is used throughout India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka to flavor meat and vegetable curries and in aromatic spice blends. For the best flavor, crack each pod open with your fingertips or a mortar and pestle. While the pods add visual interest, it is the aromatic black seeds within the pods that contain the flavor.