January seems to be getting bleaker and colder every day in Oxfordshire. Mind you the sun did shine for 10 minutes this afternoon.... just long enough to get 2 pairs of wellies on, 2 scarves, 2 hats, 4 gloves and 3 coats (one for the dog too) then by the time we reached the garden gate it was gone again. So we 'did' a very quick 5 minutes of very fresh air and then rushed back inside to continue with our cooking, playing with our new Christmas train and sleeping on the sofa (the dog again.) Even after such a very brisk walk we deserved something warming, so we treated ourselves to very nice hot chocolate and marshmallows!
Here are a few ideas of very quick and always well received warming drinks...
1. Heat equal quantities of apple and cranberry juice with a few strips of orange zest, a cinnamon stick, a few cloves, a piece of vanilla pod if you have one and sugar to taste. Leave for about 15 mins to infuse. Reheat and strain before drinking.
2. Pep up your hot chocolate with a generous glug of Baileys cream liqueur!
3. For a very indulgent, but non alcoholic, hot chocolate add a cinnamon stick and some squares of dark chocolate to the milk when you heat it, finish with a trickle of double cream. Using a stick blender give all the ingredients a quick whizz and the result will be thick, unctuous and delicious! (remove the cinnamon stick before blending!)
Keep warm!
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