With the start of the new year a few days away, I thought I’d post a few drink ideas for those of you who might be celebrating the end of 2020. And don’t we all feel the same – that this has been an exceedingly difficult year in so many ways?

You might wonder why I’m posting drink recipes on my “Relationships” page. First of all, because no one should drink alone! (I’m kidding. I’m actually somewhat of a tea-totaler myself). Second, with the exception of this year, many people either attend or throw New Year’s Eve parties, and there is usually something to drink. Parties are celebrations of relationships, friendships, and family. If you’re not able to be with those you love at this time, perhaps the taste and aroma of these drinks will bring warm thoughts of previous celebrations and hope for future get-togethers.

For those of you living in snowy, cold climates, there is nothing as good as hot chocolate to warm you on a Winter’s day. The first recipe is for slow-cooker hot chocolate, by Arlyn Osborne for the Food Network Kitchen. I can remember going outside to shovel snow growing up in Chicago. Hot chocolate was a good reward afterward, and this recipe uses semi-sweet chocolate – my favorite!

For those who prefer a cold, alcoholic beverage, the second recipe is for traditional Red Sangria. It will keep for 48 hours and is Vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free. It can be found on the Minimalist Baker website.

As I mentioned, I’m not much for alcoholic beverages, but my first trip to Europe was to Madrid, Spain, and I LOVED the Sangria. You can read part of my funny Sangria story on my “Travel” page in the “Europe, Here I Come” blog post.

SLOW-COOKER HOT CHOCOLATE

Directions

Special Equipment:

 a 6-quart slow cooker

1. Add the milk, cream, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a 6-quart slow cooker. Whisk until combined and the cocoa is dissolved. Stir in the chopped chocolate.
2. Cover and cook on low, whisking every 30 minutes, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is hot, about 2 hours 30 minutes.  
3. Ladle into mugs and top as desired with either some marshmallows or whipped cream sprinkled with crushed candy canes or drizzled with caramel sauce. 

Serves 8-12

EASY TRADITIONAL RED SANGRIA

Ingredients

There is no traditional “formula” for Sangria, but it includes the following ingredients that you can tailor to your own taste:

Fruit (like apples and oranges)
Orange juice
A sweetener (like brown sugar or cane sugar)
A liquor (like brandy or rum)
Bold, fruity, dry Spanish red wine (like Tempranillo, Garnacha, or other Rioja wine)
& Ice (for chilling)

Below are the ingredients used on the Minimalist Baker site:

• 1/2 medium apple (cored, skin on, chopped into small pieces)
• 1/2 medium orange (rind on, sliced into small pieces, large seeds removed/plus more for garnish)
• 3-4 Tbsp organic brown sugar (or 3 Tbsp (37.5 g) organic cane sugar as original recipe is written)
• 3/4 cup orange juice (plus more to taste)
• 1/3 cup brandy (plus more to taste)
• 750 ml bottle dry Spanish red wine*
• 1 cup Ice to chill

Directions

1. Add apples, oranges, and sugar to a large pitcher and muddle with a muddler or wooden spoon for 45 seconds.
2. Add orange juice and brandy and muddle again to combine for 30 seconds.
3. Add red wine and stir to incorporate, then taste and adjust flavor as needed. I added a bit more brandy, orange juice and brown sugar. Stir to combine.
4. Add ice and stir once more to chill. Serve as is, or with a bit more ice. Garnish with orange segments (optional).
5. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours, though best when fresh.

Whether your choice of beverage to ring in the New Year is hot or cold, please celebrate safely, and may you have good health and prosperity in the New Year.