Everything Coastal: hot chocolate

Friday, January 22, 2016

Winter on the Coast - 7 Friday Warm Up Cocktails!

Brrrr... it's crazy windy and rainy here in Northern California. I am okay with that, at least it's not snow, and it's really not that cold. Bonus - we might actually come out of this terrible drought that we've had for the past 3 years!

Needless to say, we are hunkered down in our offices watching the rain blow sideways and creating some fun winter warm cocktails this afternoon! (it is Friday....)

Quick Collection of 7 Winter Warm-Up Cocktails

1. Apple Cider Bourbon Whiskey Cocktail - Simmers in the Crockpot!

Recipe for 1 drink:

2 oz. bourbon
6 oz. warm apple cider - could simmer on stove or in crockpot. Love this idea; would also think about adding some nutmeg, cloves or cinnamon too!
Cinnamon sticks and apple slices for garnish (oh! Just bought Honey Crisps!)

Pour warm apple cider in pretty glasses, add bourbon and garnish. Super Delish - and EASY

We used our Pewter Crab Tankards, but smaller coffee cup size glasses would be perfect too! More choices in our Salisbury Glassware Collection

2. This Looks Scrumptious! Hot Choc-Colada from blogger - Shugary Sweets! Full Recipe here - let's just say that it's full of yummy spiced rum and hot chocolate..... YUM!

3. Boozy Almond-Honey Hot Chocolate - Discovered at Coastal Living

Requires amaretto, hot chocolate and cream - what could be better than that! Click here for full recipe

4. Mulled Wine - Not just for the holidays!

And since we live so close to California's Wine Country, we might have some bottles of red wine that we could sacrifice to make this delish cocktail! Only a few ingredients - I would absolutely cut this recipe in half. Click here for full details!

1/2 cup sugar
2 bottles of red wine
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
8 cloves
Orange Zest Strips

5. Vanilla Vodka infused White Hot Chocolate - oh mi! Full recipe from mixologist Amy Machnak - Here Looks very simple, but elegant and super yum.

6. Who says that Tom and Jerry's can only be served during the holidays? Love them anytime!

For my recipe and more details - check out our blog post - Silver Bells

7. Hot Chocolate and Whiskey! Fun blog post with recipe can be found at TheKitchn.com - for complete details, click here

Don't forget pretty serving mugs!

Blue Crab Coffee Cups from Salisbury

Blue Crab Stoneware Mugs

Adorable Sea Turtle Mugs from Kim Rody!

Have a great weekend, please stay safe, snug and warm! We're off to the Las Vegas market this weekend to discover new coastal and nautical home decor! Watch our Instagram feed for details of our adventure. (wish us luck!)

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Snow at the Beach and a Cup of Hot Chocolate!

My mom sent me these photos taken from her beach house by my brother, just this past week when the Puget Sound and the Kitsap Peninsula were once again the coated white with a late winter snowfall.

Blake Island in the background - look how the water is just like glass!

Looking Southwest towards my old house in Manchester with Bainbridge Island off in the distance. Cannot deny that these are beautiful shots, even though I am cold just looking at them!

Maybe a cup of gourmet hot chocolate is in order?

Here's an interesting recipe that I need to try next time we're home with my mom and dad.... Found at Best Bites.com (the blog post is full of great ideas!)

Raspberry Truffle:
A couple of chunks of dark chocolate on the bottom of the mug, hot chocolate or white hot chocolate, raspberry syrup, whipped cream, raspberry drizzle, chocolate sprinkles. For the raspberry drizzle either puree fresh raspberries or mix a little raspberry jam with warm water until smooth. (sounds VERY doable!)

Now to wander over to Etsy - Look at these fun mugs I found for hot chocolate! (dang, etsy is dangerous!)