Winter Warming Drink- Apple Juice with Calvados

As Christmas is approaching and weather forecast saying the starting of second freeze going to begin tomorrow in Britain, with northerly Arctic wind blowing in. I hope that this year will have a white Christmas...... been waiting for a white Christmas during the last 4 winters. Yes it's going to be cold, haven't I said going to be very COLD.
To forget the cold outside, one can find comfort in winter warming drinks like a big mug of hot chocolate or Christmas mulled wine. Well, I have a nice bottle of Calvados given to me for my birthday present, my intention: to use it for making lovely apple tart, but hey, it' so cold outside, a warming apple juice with Calvados will take priority over tarts. This is a lovely drink which I intend to serve during Christmas as an alternative to mulled wine. Calvados is apple brandy and only being produced in region of Normandy in France.

Apple Juice with Calvados
Ingredients

• 1 litre apple juice
• 100 ml Calvados
• 3-4 cinnamon stick

1. In a pot, pour the apple juice in and add cinnamon and cook on low heat until boiling. This may take about 15 minutes. Off the heat.
   
2. Then add in the Calvados and stir.
   
3. Served on glass and decorate with cinnamon stick.

Enjoy the warming drink...... maybe with mince pies :-)

Save the best for last

We've the first frost on Tuesday and it's bitterly cold in the morning. The frosty scene is quite Christmasy at times, for me it's officially winter now. Colder days ahead.
It's always warming the thought of having a cup of hot chocolate drinks plus a bit of booze in it to give it some kick, I really like having this drink on a cold winter evenings.
Having said that, I saved the luxurious Irish Butler's chocolate gift from so.moo.food+her sister way back in July. As I put it, save the best for last. Indugence............

For one serving

Hot Chocolate Drink with Brandy
Ingredients (serve 2)

• 450-500 ml full cream/semi skimmed milk
• 2-3 Butler's chocolate cube
• 2 tbsp brandy
• equipment-milk frother
• chocolate powder for dusting
• cinnamon powder (optional)

1. Warm the milk in a sauce pan on low heat. Do not boil as milk will curdle
2. Pour 200ml warm milk from (1) onto milk frother. Turn on the frother to make milk foam/froth.
3. Add the chocolate cube onto the milk and continuosly stir to ensure chocolate is melted and blend well. Always ensure is on low heat. Add the brandy and mix.
   
4. Once is well mixed, pour the portion into two mugs. Then pour the milk foam over each mug. Dust some chocolate powder/cinnamon powder over the drink.
   
   The tune of Michael Buble "saving the last dance for me" was playing on the radio and it always got me into doing a bit of ''cha-cha'' . :-)
   

Strawberries smoothie

This is one of my favorite breakfast "perks me up" drink and a treat for those who prefer to drink their breakfast :-) . Easy, healthy and really refreshing even small kids will love it.

Strawberries smoothie
Ingredients (good for 2 persons)

• 250gm strawberries
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 glass of orange juice/ or juice of your choice
• 125gm low fat yogurt

1. Put all the ingredients into blender and blend till smooth.
2. In a glass, pop some ice cube and pour the smoothie over (ice cube optional).
3. Served.