This month’s theme is “winter”. There will be individual project pictures and links to what everyone else has to offer at the end of my post, but here’s a peek at what we all came up with:
I grew up in New England and when I was in high school, our family went on a ski vacation. We stayed in a house on a mountain in Vermont and spent the week really learning to ski. Surgarbush remains, to this day, one of my favorite places to ski.
I lived within a day’s drive of many ski mountains, mostly in Vermont and New Hampshire and often on weekends would take ski day trips with friends. Later, when I was working in Connecticut, I met my (now) husband who owned a ski house with his dad in New Hampshire.
Part of the whole ski experience was sitting by the fire after a long day of working the slopes; muscles aching, ears numb, chatting and laughing and always sipping a hot cocktail.
Spiked Raspberry Cocoa with Orange Whipped Cream
I haven’t skied much since I moved to the Midwest. I did have a friend with a ski house in Breckenridge, Colorado and we taught our kids to ski there when they were young, but it’s been years.
With those memories in mind I decided to develop a recipe for a new hot drink. And in honor of the love of the raspberry and chocolate flavor profile that started with my mom and continues not only with me but my younger son as well, I’ve come up with a Spiked Raspberry Cocoa with Orange Whipped Cream. Now this is gonna warm you from the inside out.
I started off making the whipped cream and sticking it in the fridge so it would be ready when the cocoa was hot. Contrary to what my close friends will think, I didn’t choose the touch of orange flavoring for the whipped cream just because Grand Marnier is my favorite liqueur, but also because I didn’t want to alter the chocolate/raspberry balance I’d achieved in the drink and felt that the touch of orange would be a nice compliment.
The chocolate part starts with a basic hot cocoa recipe: unsweetened cocoa, sugar, salt and milk. I just added a few ingredients to . . . you know . . . make it mine.
The result will be a staple in my home on cold snowy days this winter.
Be sure to visit all of this month’s other Blog With Friends projects:
Eileen of Eileen’s Perpetually Busy shares her I Love Minions crocheted hat with ear flaps.
Robin of Someone Else’s Genius posted a jewelry making tutorial, DIY Charmed Snow Globe Necklaces.
Robin of Someone Else’s Genius posted a jewelry making tutorial, DIY Charmed Snow Globe Necklaces.
Stacy of Stacy Sews and Schools shares a sewing project, her Minecraft Creeper Hoodie tutorial.
Sarah of The Momisodes bring us Story Time.
Lydia of Cluttered Genius tells us how to how to use essential oils in the winter to boost our mood and spirit.
Spiked Raspberry Cocoa with Orange Whipped Cream
©www.BakingInATornado.com Printable Recipe
Ingredients (4 servings):
½ cup heavy cream
2 TBSP orange liqueur
3 TBSP powdered sugar
½ tsp orange zest
4 cups milk
2 squares (approx. ½ oz each) Ghiradelli Dark and Raspberry (candy) Square
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 sugar
Dash salt
3 TBSP raspberry liqueur
1 TBSP whipped cream flavored vodka
Directions
*Beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Beat in the orange liqueur, orange zest, and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Place in the refrigerator while making the cocoa.
*Heat the milk and chocolate squares in a saucepan until warm, whisking as it heats. Whisk in the unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar and salt.
*Watch the pot carefully, continue to heat, whisking now and then, until the mixture is hot but do not allow it to boil. The best way to check temperature is to stick a spoon in the hot cocoa and taste it.
*Remove from heat. Wisk in the raspberry liqueur and the whipped cream flavored vodka. Top with a dollop of the orange whipped cream.
OH MY GOSH!! I have to try that!! Hot chocolate is my favorite winter drink!!!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the mountains near a few ski resorts but I have never been. Not sure I would even try it these days! LOL
Don't need to ski to drink a hot cocktail by the fire. . . fortunately!
DeleteGoodness, this sounds good! I would never had paired chocolate, raspberry, and orange, but this sounds good.
ReplyDeleteThe flavors really do blend together well, and the drink is perfect for a cold day.
DeleteI think sitting by the crackling fire sipping a yummy beverage is the best part about skiing ;-)
ReplyDeleteI agree, such fun after a freezing day on the slopes.
DeleteOh, that looks so good I can almost smell it! From the time I was eight, we spent our winters skiing. My next older brother and I were out every chance we got. That's been years (and years) ago. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI know, I've only gone a few times since I moved to the Midwest. I miss it, it was a fun activity to look forward to in the long cold winter months.
DeleteSkiing. Yeah, I did that from a young age, until I reached high school. Then I traded in two skis for one snowboard. But this cocoa sounds divine!
ReplyDeleteMy younger son has snowboarded but I haven't. I really need to try it, looks like lots of fun.
DeleteIt is happy hour. I think that means I can have one now! Thanks for the link up. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy. I think I might just join you!
DeleteThis sounds so wonderful. I have never thought to add a citrus flavor to whipped cream - but now the possibilities are endless! I remember visiting a ski lodge once that served Après-ski Glühwein (hot mulled wine). As a teenager, I was definitely intrigued!
ReplyDeleteI used to love sitting by the fire with a hot drink after a day of skiing. Perfect way to end a perfect day.
DeleteTwo words for you. Raspberry cocoa. And then one word. Delicious. Gotta try.
ReplyDeleteA cold day just calls for a hot drink. Hope you love it.
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