Happy 2016!
You’re all being incredibly well-behaved today, right? This is the beginning of new year, new you?
Well, I’m the first to admit I’m a giant fan of turning over a new leaf. I love the feeling of a blank slate and a new year, a new season or even the sense of resetting at back to school time.
With all that said, I’m pleased to have been setting some better habits for a while now, and I’ll definitely use the start of the new calendar year to focus on building some better habits – and I’m sure all of those wonderful tips and habits will make it into a few Food Adventuress posts.
However, this is not one of those posts.
I’m banking on the possibility that a few of you are still ready to misbehave just slightly for a few more days, or that you’re seeking a way to extend the celebration… or just enhance your New Year’s Day nap. You’ve come to the right place: I’m here to help.
In fact, this post is truly an act of self-sacrifice and service. A few days ago, I was looking for the perfect hot toddy recipe to make use of some brandy I found myself in possession of from another recent celebration. (Side note: I’m aware that a hot toddy is technically a little hot water, lemon, honey & liquor… but I know me, and I’m going to go on calling any warm cocktail a hot toddy.)
Alas, there was very little to be found in the way of warm and brandy-based… and I don’t want you to find yourself in a similar situation. I give and I give.
I did land on this Spiced Hot Milk Brandy concoction from Nosh My Way, and I enthusiastically recommend it. I just needed a few tweaks to a) make it speedy for individual servings rather than a crowd and b) take advantage of some on-hand ingredients. Here’s our version – cheers!
Honey Brandy Hot Toddy
Grab two mugs (assuming you have a hot toddy companion – recommended). Add to each:
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg (may I suggest a Microplane nutmeg grater: Arkansas-based company!)
- 1 tbsp high quality cocoa powder (I used some from The Roatan Chocolate Factory from our recent Honduras vacation – highly recommend!)
- 4 – 6 oz 2% milk
- A few drops of pure vanilla extract
Place the dry ingredients in each mug and pour milk on top, filling each mug about 60 – 70% full. Warm the milk on the stovetop first, or pop it in the microwave for a minute as we did (speed to completion). Use a milk frother to blend the ingredients. Add:
- Christian Brothers Honey Brandy to taste (I filled each mug the rest of the way, about a shot)
- Freshly-grated nutmeg to top
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish/stirring
No huge departures from the excellent original recipe here – just the omission of the star anise (which I do love), extra seasoning, honey brandy and the cocoa powder addition.
It will treat you well on a chilly, lazy afternoon – not that you have any of those in store this year.
Your secret is safe with me. Cheers!
