Russian Tea

If you are looking for a warm drink for those cold winter nights, here is one of my favorite recipes. It has vitamin C also, to help fight against all those cold and flu germs! I have heard this called many things, but Desert Tea and Russian tea have been the most common names. It smells very yummy, and also makes a great gift idea.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Serves: 12

Ingredients:
-20 oz Tang
-1 pack sugarless lemonade (Kool-aid packet)
-1/2 cup sugar
-2/3 cup unsweetened instant tea mix with lemon
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1 teaspoon ground cloves

1. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl and mix well.

2. Add 2 tablespoons (or more to taste) to a cup of hot water and enjoy!!

Homemade Hot Chocolate

So, I got this recipe from a Land O Lakes carton of Half and Half.
It is fast to make and ridiculously delish!

Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
-1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
-1/2 cup of water
-1/2 cup of sugar
-1/8 teaspoon of salt (optional- I don't use it)
-5 1/2 cups of milk
-2 cups of half and half
-2 teaspoons of vanilla

1. Melt the chocolate chips over low heat (stir the entire time they are melting)

2. Mix in the sugar and water

3. Increase heat until boiling, stirring the entire time

4. Boil for an additional 2 min. Keep stirring

5. Add milk and half and half

6. Heat until all the liquid is hot

7. Add the vanilla

8. Remove from heat and whisk until frothy

9. Add whipped cream if desired

For an added flavor of peppermint, you can add peppermint schnapps OR for an alcohol free version use peppermint mocha coffee creamer. Both options are yummy!