Hot Stuff
On a cold day, something hot to drink can really warm you from the inside out. These are some of my favorites.
The original name of Crock Pot Punch was Percolator Punch, and the recipe was included on a leaflet that was in with my parents’ utility bill about 50 years ago (how can it have been that long ago?). You poured the juice into the percolator, put the spices in the basket, and perked it just like you were making coffee. Not many people have a percolator these days – including me – but it’s just as good made in a crock pot.
When I was growing up, I remember my mom drinking Russian Tea made from a mix a lot like this one. It’s so simple to do and allows you to make as much as you want – a cup or a pot full. I like to keep some at work so I can have a cup in the afternoon.
Hot Chocolate can be made a lot of ways, and I haven’t found one I didn’t like! Whether you make it from scratch or from a mix, it’s hard to beat!
Crock Pot Punch
Ingredients
1 quart of Cranberry Juice
1 quart of Pineapple Juice
2 whole Cinnamon Sticks
10 - 12 whole Cloves
Instructions
Pour the cranberry juice and pineapple juice in a crock pot and set on high heat.
Put cinnamon sticks and cloves into a tea ball or tie them up in cheesecloth and add them to the juice.
Keep on the high setting until it’s heated through, then reduce to low or warm setting.
Remove and discard the spices. Ladle into cups and enjoy.
This punch can also be made in a saucepan on the stove, but be careful to watch it so that it doesn’t get too hot.
Russian Tea
Ingredients
2 cups Dry Orange Drink mix (I use Tang)
1 cup Instant Tea
2 cups Sugar
1.25 oz, Unsweetened Lemonade Mix (if you use sweetened lemonade mix, don’t add the 2 cups of sugar)
2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
2 tsp Ground Cloves
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
To serve, stir 1 heaping tablespoon of mix into 1 cup of hot water. Stir until mix is dissolved.
Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
1/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
1/3 cup Boiling Water
Dash of Salt
4 cups Whole Milk
¾ tsp Vanilla Extract
Whipped cream, marshmallows - optional
Instructions
Combine the cocoa and sugar in a saucepan. Stir to break up any lumps.
Add a dash of salt and the boiling water and place over medium low heat.
Bring to a slow boil, stirring continuously, then reduce heat to simmer and cook 2 more minutes, continuing to stir.
Stir in 4 cups of milk and heat until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream or marshmallows - or both - if desired.
Instant Hot Chocolate
Keep this mix on hand to use when you don't have time to make it from scratch:
1 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2 cups Powdered Sugar
2 ½ cups Powdered Milk
1 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoons Cornstarch (optional)
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
For each cup of hot chocolate, put 1/3 cup mix into a mug. Add 1 cup hot water and stir until mix is dissolved.