Merry Past Christmas!

Although Christmas is over, the holiday season (and spirit!) should still be celebrated and embraced. Here are a few delicious drinks sure to warm you up on a cold winter's day.



tip: drinks are best enjoyed by the fire.






Rum & Eggnog










A simple eggnog drink topped with cinnamon or nutmeg is a delicious Christmas tradition. Although this drink may not be hot, but the rum in it will sure help you feel a little warm inside!






Eggnog Latte


It's becoming quite popular among the trendy coffee shops now a days, and this latte is sure to please an eggnog lover! Espresso with steamed eggnog, lightly topped with whipped cream (if desired) and lots of cinnamon and nutmeg is all the ingredients you need for this wonderful drink!












Peppermint Hot Chocolate

This drink is a refreshing twist on a traditional hot chocolate. Crushed candy canes make this hot chocolate delightful and cheerful! Simply melt some chopped bittersweet chocolate over a double boiler, stir in whole milk, and whisk. Add peppermint extract, or if you do not have peppermint extract, mint flavouring or crushed, and melted candy canes will also work! Whisk until mixture is frothy and well combined. Pour into your favourite mug and top with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies or candy cane!










Rich Hot Cocoa


This hot cocoa is rich and full of chocolatly goodness! Made with decadent bittersweet chocolate, rich cocoa powder, and creamy whole milk; truly a harmonious blend! Over a double boiler slightly melt 6 oz of bittersweet chocolate, chopped. Bring two cups (500ml) of whole milk to a gentle boil. Add 4 tablespoons (60g) of dutch pressed cocoa, and whisk with a wire wisk until chooclate and cocoa are dissolved. Stir in 4 teaspoons of vanilla flavoured sugar, or regular sugar (or to taste) and pour into your favourite mug. Top with whipped cream and garnish with dark and white chocolate shavings (optional)

Top 5 activities to get you into the holiday spirit

1.) Put up Christmas lights/Christmas tree
Putting up festive lights during the holiday season brightens up a gloomy room. A Christmas tree is essential for those of us who celebrate the widley accepted religious holiday.

2.) Christmas Crafts
Whether you have kids, or just enjoy doing crafts, Christmas crafts for the holidays are always a fun pastime for the young or old. Simply making a few paper snowflakes, christmas greeting cards, or a more complex paper origami ornament, will definitely get you into the Christmas spirit!
Here is a website that will give you some ideas on creating your own holiday crafts: http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-crafts.html

3.) Make some Homemade Eggnog
Eggnog is often a reminder of the holidays, however many people don't make it because it is a time consuming task, and doesn't seem very easy to make, however here is a great recipe that shows you how to make your own christmas eggnog! http://www.eggnogrecipe.net/christmas-eggnog-recipe.html

4.) Listen to Holiday Music
Listening to some christmas tunes will definitely help get you in the mood for the holidays! Pick some albums that are classic favourites such as "A Charlie Brown Christmas" by Vince Guaraldi Trio, Noel by Josh Groban, Let It Snow by Michael Buble, Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan, Christmas Portrait by Carpenters and many others!

5.) Bake Christmas Cookies/Cake
The scent of gingerbread cookies baking in the oven is reminicent of the holidays as a child. Taking the time to bake some festive cookies or a yule log for the holidays sets the mood for the holidays as well as spreading the cheer with family and friends.
Here are some simple recipes for christmas baking:
http://www.joyofbaking.com/GingerbreadMen.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/YuleLog.html

Starbucks Drink Orders

Thinking of ordering a customized drink at Starbucks, but not sure where to begin? Most tall and short espresso-based drinks come with one shot of espresso, thinking of adding another one? Call it a "Double Tall". Tall hot drinks usually come with three pumps of syrup, depending on the beverage. If you want additional syrup pumps, let your barista know that while you are ordering your beverage. Perhaps you'd like to substitute the two-percent milk in your latte for non-fat, soy, lactose-free, or whole? Also, you can customize your drink by requesting extra foam, extra sweet, or for your drink to be extra hot. Lastly, make sure you clearly state which beverage it is that you want, eg. Latte, Cappuccino, Americano, etc. Now when you order that double tall, extra syrup pump vanilla, non-fat, extra foamy latte, you'll impress the barista with your organized beverage order!

If you want additional information on drinks at Starbucks, here's a handy website that explains how each drink is made, and what goes into them! http://www.quicksilverweb.net/sbucks/sbcharts.htm