The Antidote for Cold Beach Coast Nights

By Barbara Felt Miller

Winter is here and one thing that will warm the biting chill of The Beach Coast is a nice hot drink.  There is nothing better than snuggling up with a warm cup of your favorite beverage when cabin fever is about to drive you nuts.

Mocha Chocolata Ya Ya

Hot chocolate is a drink that many crave when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder.  The creamy deliciousness of the warm chocolate can be just what the doctor ordered for getting rid of the winter blahs.  Make it even tastier by adding marshmallows or peppermint (or other flavored) syrup, which you can find in the coffee aisle of your grocery store,
local coffee shops, or online.

The Nectar of the Gods                                                                                       

The craze started by a little outfit in Seattle nearly 20 years ago has made coffee big business. In fact, coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world (oil being first). If you indulge your taste for a fancy coffee drink at a specialty shop once a day, you can easily spend more than $100 a month. 

Luckily, you can create delicious coffee drinks at home without investing in a lot of fancy equipment. If you want to fluff up your coffee, frothing milk at home is simple. Most specialty kitchen stores carry battery-operated “frothers” that will allow you to finish off your drink with a foamy head that the most accomplished barista would envy! You can accomplish the same thing without spending a dime as you probably already own a hand-mixer that will do the trick, as will a whisk (and you can build up your biceps at the same time!).  

Punch it up by adding a shot of syrup from the coffee aisle (hazelnut or vanilla are great), or from the ice cream aisle where they sell chocolate syrup to make a mocha or caramel to make a delicious latte. Add some whipped cream or half and half, some colorful sprinkles and you’ve got yourself a party in a cup (at a fraction of the cost).

Tea–It’s Not just English Anymore                                                          

Time was when tea seemed to be reserved for afternoon get togethers or spinsters with lots of cats.  No more.  Flavored teas are gaining speed and are available in a many varieties (white teas, green teas, black teas, and oolong teas) and a vast array of flavors.   Many experts deem tea the healthier alternative to other hot drinks due to its anti-oxidant benefits.   Stocking your cupboard with a big inventory of flavors and types can also be expensive (and take up a lot of valuable real estate).  But you can flavor your favorite tea with syrups, herbs, and even fruit zest. 

Hot Toddies for Cold Bodies

Finally, if you need a little something to really warm you up, you might add a shot of liqueur to your coffee (Kahlua, Tia Maria, Frangelico, Peppermint Schnapps, or Irish Whiskey) or mix up a hot toddy. A true hot toddy is a blend of hot water, whiskey, lemon and honey, but there are many variations that will warm the cockles (whatever they are) of your heart.

We will keep our fingers crossed that our Beach Coast winter will be mild (hope springs eternal).  If not, we‘ll uncross those fingers and wrap them around our favorite hot drink and enjoy the warmth it brings to body and soul.

Barbara Felt Miller is the author of the popular food blog, “Felt Like a Foodie,” which chronicles her transformation from a former “picky eater” to a true food lover and an accomplished cook. Recently voted CBS’s MVB (most valuable blogger), she continues to expand her knowledge with “Foodie Fun Days” in Chicago, including cooking classes, gourmet events and meals at some of the top restaurants.