Martini Recipes

Updated April 09, 2012

I know many traditional Martini connoisseurs will tell me that there is only one true Martini, gin and dry vermouth. Very true, a Martini is a Martini, but who's to say an Apple Martini or an Orange Martini cannot have "Martini" in their names also? There are distinct differences between the classic Martini and the many cocktails that have adopted the "Martini" tag. Yet another side of this "debate" is the habit of calling any drink served in a cocktail glass a Martini. This is really a matter of convenience due to the fact that a cocktail glass is also called a martini glass and the association is made.

Thanks to the revival of the cocktail culture and some very creative mixologists have treated our taste buds with some great flavor. Many of these "new" Martinis allow us to indulge in our favorite flavors including fruits and chocolate while others substitute the traditional gin with another base spirit or simply use a garnish other than an olive.

Here is a list of popular Martini variations I have been gathering. For the purpose of this article I am including those cocktails that are popularly considered "Martinis" and leaving out everything served in a Martini glass.

Flavored Martinis >>

The original and slight variations:

• Martini
• 50-50
• Allies Cocktail
• Bronx
• Diamond Martini
• Dirty Martini
• Dry Martini
• Emerson
• Gibson
• Good Times
• In & Out Martini
• Perfect Martini
• Vesper Martini

Give or take a little:

• Adonis
• Affinity
• Blind Pilot
• Brown University
• Dirty Hornitini
• Gimlet
• Hi Ho Cocktail
• Icy Spicy Martini
• In & Out Lemontini
• Irish Martini
• Jean Harlow Cocktail
• Journalist
• Manhattan
• Martinez
• Norina
• Perfect Manhattan
• Pink Gin
• Rose
• Rosemary
• Saketini
• San Francisco Cocktail
• Smoky Martini
• Spanish Harlem
• Tequini
• Vodka Martini
• VodkaHerb Martini
• Zorbatini

View Video: Top 5 Martini Cocktails

This collection of cocktail recipes is an ongoing project and is updated regularly.

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Best Iced Tea Recipes

I'm currently in central India, where it's pretty much always hot, but I can tell that the weather is getting warmer back home because the page views for my top ten iced tea recipes has spiked. Despite the weather here, I'm sampling various kinds of hot chai, but I hope that the folks back home can enjoy some of my favorites from the recipe collection, like Watermelon Iced Tea, Iced Citrus Black Tea and Sparkling Apricot Iced Tea.

Do you have a favorite iced tea recipe from the collection? Recommend it to other About Coffee / Tea reders in the comments below!

Photo (c) Stash Tea
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Springtime Iced Tea Recipes

It's not quite time to bring out the big guns (like, say Watermelon Iced Tea), but it is getting hot enough to enjoy an iced tea every now and then. Here are a few of my favorite iced tea recipes for the warmth of springtime:

• Apple Iced Tea Recipes -- Ideal for spring or fall, when apples are readily available, but local berries and peaches aren't ripe yet.
• Coconut Water Iced Tea is a refreshing drink that can be made with packaged coconut water.
• Banana Chai Smoothie Recipe and Date Tea Smoothie Recipe -- Not technically iced tea recipes, but great ways to start a spring morning.
• Tomato Iced Tea Recipe -- Smoked Lapsang Souchong black tea and tomato juice give this recipe a heavier flavor and texture that are best for spring and fall.
• Citrus Iced Tea Recipes use lemons, limes, oranges and other citrus fruit for a naturally tart-sweet flavor.
• Ginger Iced Tea Recipes -- This mix of iced tea recipes and iced herbal infusion recipes shares on thing in common -- a dose of fiery ginger root.
• Jasmine Iced Tea Recipes offer a soft, floral flavor that's ideal for celebrating spring. If you like these, you'll probably also enjoy my Rose Iced Tea Recipe.

Photo (c) Lindsey Goodwin
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"Z" Cocktail Recipes

Mar 20 2012

Index Cocktail Recipes A to Z:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Z

• Z Street Slammer
• Z-28 (shooter)
• Zambeer
• Zambodian (shooter)
• Zanzibar
• Zaza
• Zen Latte
• Zen Milk Bath
• Zesty Irishman
• Zimaretto
• Zipper (shooter)
• Zipperhead
• Zombie
• Zombie Punch
• Zorbatini

This collection of cocktail recipes is an ongoing project and is updated regularly.

Browse drink recipes by base spirit:
Brandy...Gin...Rum...Tequila...Vodka...Whiskey
Or Non-spirited Mocktails

View the original article here

About.com Real Recipes App Launched!

I have exciting news to pass along: About.com has a recipe app!

It is true, we have moved into the portable medium and now you can download the free app Real Recipes and have access to over 25,000 recipes right there on your iPad or iPhone. I have yet to check it out for myself (being iGadget deficient, and all), but have been hearing good things from readers and my colleagues. The app is free, requires no registration, and includes tools for organizing and sharing recipes. For those of us on 'the other' phone OS, word is it the app is coming soon. Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on the app.

Download the app...

One point with this release that I'd like to make is if you follow me here for the drinks, but have not checked out food recipes on About.com, you are missing out on some fabulous food finds. The chefs on the network here have amazing recipes that never cease to amaze me and the range of cuisine is astounding. In fact, over the weekend I whipped up 3 recipes from our network and all were winners. So, from my recent food finds, here are some pairings...

• Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins - Go with a vanilla, semi-sweet drink like this Natural Vanilla Martini (regrettably finding a replacement for Navan) for these super-indulgent goodies.
• Blueberry Muffins - Not your average blueberry muffin, this recipe won me over because of the cinnamon and nutmeg (and sugar topping) and it is lovely with an ice-cold Jalisco High Tea.
• Easy Lemon Chicken - Delicious and simple, this is an ideal meal when you don't have much time and it goes oh-so-well with a great Martini (or almost any other cocktail).

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Hot Chocolate Recipes

The weather is gradually getting warmer in much of the Northern Hemisphere, but if nights are still chilly enough for hot chocolate where you are, you can still have a few more cups before spring sets in. Personally, I'm planning to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate when I reach the higher elevations of Darjeeling... that is, if it isn't made with a syrup! (European-style drinking chocolate is rare in India, even in areas where Europeans are everywhere.)

Of course, were I back in my former town of Portland, Oregon, or my former City of New York, I would opt to make my own drinking chocolate from scratch, or to make a cup using one of my favorite hot chocolate recipes.

Are you still making hot chocolate this winter / spring, or have you switched to cool drinks? Do you drink "iced hot chocolate" in the summer, or sip hot drinks all year?

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Hot Tea Cocktail Recipes

I recently added two new hot tea cocktail recipes to the site. One is great for chilly nights in general, and the other is either very late for last year or very early for this year -- it's a drink traditionally served on Christmas Eve.

The first is the classic hot toddy (pictured above). Hot toddies can be made with hot water or with tea. I'll let you guess which one I usually use. ;)

The second is Christmas Eve Punch or, as it is known in Germany, grossmutter's punch. It can be served hot or cold, but generally it's served hot. It's an unusual mixture of tea, red wine, rum and spices, and its flavor (which is akin to that of mulled wine) is good enough to leave you craving it all winter.

If you like these recipes, be sure to check out more alcoholic tea recipes on the site.

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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"X" Cocktail Recipes

Index Cocktail Recipes A to Z:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

X

This collection of cocktail recipes is an ongoing project and is updated regularly.

Browse drink recipes by base spirit:
Brandy...Gin...Rum...Tequila...Vodka...Whiskey
Or Non-spirited Mocktails

View the original article here

Mint Recipes for Winter

Mint is one of those incredibly versatile foods that is just as perfect for the stultifying heat of summer as it is for the icy cold of winter. No matter when you consume it, mint is a refreshing, comforting ingredient in food and drink alike. Here are a few of my favorite mint recipes for wintertime:

• The soothing aroma and flavor of basic Mint Tea can't be beat in winter. It's very simple, but undeniably delicious. For a little more complexity, try Moroccan Mint Tea or Moroccan Mint Tea with Orange Blossom.
• For the younger members of your family, this kid-friendly White Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe is more likely to hit the spot. It includes peppermint extract AND crushed peppermint candies.
• Chocolate Mint Tea is an incredibly easy recipe that combines mint teabags and hot chocolate mix.
• This Mint Chocolate Coffee Martini is served chilled, yet it's still warming on cold winter nights. Serve it at a small holiday party or sip it with friends by the fireplace.

What are your favorite mint recipes for wintertime? Share with other About.com readers in the comments below!

Photo (c) Lindsey Goodwin
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Caramel Recipes

Like cinnamon, caramel is one of those wintery flavors that ranges from nostalgic all the way to outright seductive. Although a caramel candy is fine in summer, caramel is a flavor I tend to associate with fall (carmel apples) and winter (caramel lattes, caramel baked goods, etc.). Here are a few of my favorite caramel recipes for wintertime:

• Dulce de Leche (pictured above) -- This recipe is absurdly easy. In fact, when I first heard about this method for making dulce de leche, I thought it was impossible that it could produce anything good. And yet, it does... oh, how it does... I hope you're as surprised as I was, and that this caramel finds its way onto some of your holiday treats this year.
• Caramel Coffee -- A classic combination, much like the caramel latte. If you like this recipe, be sure to also try Sean Paajanen's Milky Way Cappuccino recipe, too.
• Caramel Milk Steamer -- This is actually a recipe for any basic milk steamer, but caramel syrup works just as well as mint, vanilla, Irish creme, etc.
• Caramel Candies -- These recipes from About.com's Cansy guide, Elizabeth LeBau, include Spiced Caramels, Chocolate Pecan Caramels, Apple Cider Caramels and Caramel Popcorn. They are completely worth every moment spent slaving over the stove.
• Caramel Apple Pie -- Pair this indulgent dessert with an espresso martini or some black tea vodka over ice.
• Crepes With Salted Butter Caramel -- For breakfast or as a snack, pair this treat with black coffee or black tea.

Do you have a favorite caramel recipe, or a favorite way to enjoy caramel with coffee or tea? Share it with other About.com readers in the comments below!

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Hot Chocolate Recipes

There are so many types of hot chocolate recipes in the world. Some recipe (like those with marshmallows and peppermint) make perfect holiday drinks for kids, while others (like those with liqueurs) are best for more adult holiday celebrations. Some classic hot chocolate recipes can be prepared around a campfire, while many hot cocoa mixes can be made in advance and given out as holiday gifts.

This hot chocolate recipe collection includes all these types of hot chocolate recipes, as well as frozen hot chocolate recipes, Mexican hot chocolate recipes, white hot chocolate recipes and more.

Hot Chocolate Recipe Basics

If you've never made true hot chocolate (with melted chocolate) instead of hot cocoa (with cocoa powder), then watch this hot chocolate video or read these hot chocolate preparation tips before trying the recipes below. Alternately, you can opt for hot cocoa recipes.

Classic Hot Chocolate Recipes

These classic hot chocolate recipes are made with melted chocolate, not cocoa powder.

• This basic Hot Chocolate Recipe is made with nothing but milk and chocolate.
• Spanish Hot Chocolate is a classic European drinking chocolate recipe.
• Although some French drinking chocolates are made with water and melted chocolate, Chocolat Chaud is a creamier French drinking chocolate recipe made with milk and water.
• El Submarino is a traditional Argentinian hot chocolate recipe that's fun to make and drink.
• Brown Sugar Hot Chocolate is made with unsweetened chocolate and brown sugar.
• Decadent Hot Chocolate is a frothed hot chocolate made with semisweet and unsweetened chocolate.
• Made with heavy cream and whole milk, Parisian Warm Chocolate is very rich.
• Special Hot Chocolate is prepared in a blender, eliminating the need for constant stirring as the chocolate melts.
• Old-Fashioned Hot Chocolate is a traditional hot chocolate recipe.
• This video explains how to make Hot Chocolate Sticks that can be used to make quick hot chocolate anytime. They are a good alternative to homemade hot cocoa mixes for homemade holiday gifts.
• Campfire Hot Chocolate is perfect for camping trips.

Spiced / Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipes

These spiced and Mexican hot chocolate recipes include ingredients like cinnamon and cayenne.

• Champurrado is a traditional Mexican hot chocolate recipe.
• This Mexican Hot Chocolate features cinnamon and coffee.
• This Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe is made with cinnamon and vanilla.
• Chocolate Caliente has a warming flavor thanks to cinnamon and cloves.
• Aztec Hot Chocolate is prepared with bittersweet chocolate, a vanilla bean, red chili pepper and cinnamon.
• Cinnamon Hot Chocolate is infused with cinnamon for a bold, spicy flavor.
• Chai-Spiced White Hot Chocolate combines the flavors of white hot chocolate and masala chai.

Other Flavored Hot Chocolate Recipes

Spiced hot chocolate will always be a favorite during winter, but orange zest, ginger, almonds and peanut butter can make your hot chocolate truly memorable.

• Milk Chocolate & Orange Cocoa gets its distinctive flavor from freshly grated orange zest. It is made with cocoa powder and melted milk chocolate.
• Orange Mocha combines the flavors of hot chocolate, coffee and orange into one drink.
• Hot Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate get their nutty flavors from dollops of smooth peanut butter. They're both great for kids.
• Orange Ginger Hot Chocolate is flavored with brown sugar, orange zest and chopped ginger.
• Almond Chocolate Chaud is a French hot chocolate recipe that can be made with or without alcohol.

White Hot Chocolate Recipes

White hot chocolate is a delicious variation on traditional hot chocolate.

• White Chocolate Coffee is a blend of white chocolate, half and half, and coffee.
• White Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a great recipe for the holidays. Kids love it!
• Chai-Spiced White Hot Chocolate combines the flavors of white hot chocolate and masala chai.

Iced / Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipes

Made popular by Serendipity 3 in New York City, frozen hot chocolate is a great drink for dessert or snacks. These recipes range from sparkling beverages to milkshake-like drinks.

• Iced Hot Cocoa can be made with hot chocolate ice cubes for an extra bold flavor.
• Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate is a great hot chocolate recipe for kids or adults.
• Frozen Mint Hot Chocolate is made with chocolate malted milk powder, ice cream and peppermint extract.
• Frosty Mocha is a frozen hot chocolate variation made with coffee and ice cream.
• Chocolate Punch is a sparkling, iced hot chocolate recipe that serves 12. Chocolate Italian Soda is similar, but is easier to make and is prepared as a single serving.
• Cold Cocoa Mug is a spiced, iced hot cocoa recipe made with chocolate ice cream.
• Iced Mocha is an icy coffee-and-chocolate drink.
• OK, OK, so this isn't actually frozen iced chocolate, but it is delicious and easy to make: Basic Chocolate Milkshake.
• Brazillian Iced Chocolate features cola and coffee.

Spiked / Alcoholic Hot Chocolate Recipes

Like egg nog, sometimes hot chocolate is better when it's spiked.

• Hot Chocolate for Adults is spiked with rum and hazelnut liqueur.
• The Adult Hot Chocolate Cocktail is also known as a "Peppermint Kiss" thanks to the inclusion of peppermint schnapps.
• Hot Peppermint Patty is hot chocolate spiked with dark creme de cacao, peppermint schnapps and creme de menthe.
• Kiev Chocolate features vanilla vodka and Amaretto.
• Grand Marnier Hot Chocolate gets its orange flavor from Grand Marnier liqueur and orange juice.
• Hot Cocoberry is hot chocolate spiked with coconut rum and raspberry liqueur.
• Hot Scotch Cocoa is made with butterscotch schnapps.
• Almond liqueur gives Almond Chocolate Chaud its nutty flavor.

Large Batch Hot Chocolate Recipes

Looking to entertain a group (or even a crowd) during the holidays? Try one of these large batch hot chocolate recipes:

• White Chocolate Coffee and Mint Chocolate Tea each serve six.
• Hot Cocoa for a Crowd is a basic hot chocolate recipe that serves 12.
• Chocolate Punch is an iced hot chocolate recipe that serves 12.

For healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free & vegan hot chocolate recipes and for hot chocolate dessert recipes, see the links below. For hot cocoa recipes, continue reading page two of this article.

View the original article here

Egg Nog Recipes

Love it or hate it, egg nog is a traditional holiday drink that's not going away anytime soon. (I thought I hated egg nog for years, and then I realized that I just don't really like uncut cream and whole milk in my drinks. Call me boring, but now I make egg nog with low-fat milk or a dairy alternative.)

Luckily, there are many ways you can make egg nog, so there's something to please (almost) everyone. Non-traditional favorites include cooked egg nog (which skips any risks associated with consuming raw eggs), dairy-free egg nog and spiked egg nog. You can explore traditional and non-traditional egg nog recipes, plus egg nog dessert recipes, in my egg nog recipe collection. Enjoy!

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Egg Nog Recipes

Like apple cider and hot chocolate, egg nog is a holiday drink that many people look forward to each year. Perhaps it's nostalgia. Perhaps its the warming spices, heavy cream or alcohol. Whatever the reason, egg nog is popular at many holiday gatherings. Here are a few of the many variations on egg nog recipes that you can serve during the holidays:

Rum Egg Nog Recipes

Rum is one of the most common liquors for spiking egg nog. These recipes spike egg nog with rum and rum alone. For egg nogs with multiple spirits, see "Other Spiked Egg Nog Recipes," below.

• Rum Eggnog is easy to make with the help of this how-to video.
• Cooked Eggnog can be made with or without rum.
• Rum Holiday Egg Nog uses Mount Gay rum, almond extract, vanilla extract, nutmeg and cinnamon for a warming flavor profile.
• Thanks to the bacteria-killing effects of rum, Make-Ahead Eggnog can be prepared over Thanksgiving weekend and enjoyed at Christmas.

Brandy Egg Nog Recipes

Like rum, brandy is a popular additive for many egg nog lovers. Here are two of my favorite brandy egg nog recipes:

• Brandy Egg Nog is a quick, easy recipe akin to the type of egg nog cocktail you'd get in a bar or lounge.
• Homemade Brandy Egg Nog is a more elaborate brandy egg nog recipe.

Other Egg Nog Recipes With Alcohol

Beyond rum and brandy, there are lots of ways to spike egg nog. These recipes include multiple liquors, whiskey, peach brandy or other spirits:

• Old-Fashioned Egg Nog includes brandy and rum, as well as heavy whipping cream.
• Eggnog With Brandy, Bourbon or Rum is a versatile and detailed egg nog recipe.
• Chocolate Egg Nog provides a chocolaty, boozy flavor with chocolate milk, Kahlua and rum.
• Baltimore Egg Nog features peach brandy, plus regular brandy and light rum.
• Hypatia's Egg Nog includes Grand Marnier, rum and brandy.
• Bourbon Eggnog uses bourbon whiskey in lieu of rum or brandy.
• Easy Holiday Eggnog gets its kick from both bourbon and brandy.
• Vegan Egg Nog can be spiked with many vegan liquors, including various rums and brandies.
• Kenucky Egg Nog Spike is a spice-infused mixture of spirits that you can use to perk up plain egg nog.
• Egg Nog Martini is more a recipe for a martini with egg nog than an eggnog recipe, but it may be of interest to those who want their egg nog extra-heavy on alcohol.

No Alcohol Egg Nog Recipes

Although most of the recipes above can be made without alcohol, these are most easily adapted for non-alcoholic egg nog recipes:

• Non-Alcoholic Egg Nog is a great recipe for kids and adults.
• Cooked Eggnog can be made with or without rum.

Easy Egg Nog Recipes

Looking for quick, easy egg nog recipes? Look no further:

• As the name suggests, Easy Egg Nog is very easy to make.
• Brandy Egg Nog is a quick, shaken drink that can easily be made at a bar.
• These two recipes for Cooked Egg Nog are easy to make (plus you probably won't have to worry about salmonella even if you're a terrible cook).
• Easy Holiday Eggnog only requires six ingredients. If that's not enough to inspire a bit of holiday cheer, I don't know what is.
• Busy around the holidays? (Who isn't?!) Make-Ahead Eggnog can be prepared over Thanksgiving weekend and enjoyed at Christmas.

Healthier Egg Nog Recipes

There's no denying that egg nog is unhealthy. These egg nog recipes may not be healthy, per se, but they are healthier than most egg nogs!

• Low Fat Egg Nog and Low Fat Spiked Eggnog use fat-free dairy ingredients.
• This Low Carb Egg Nog recipe uses Splenda for a lower carbohydrate count. This Low Carb Egg Nog recipe uses milk, unsweetened soy milk or unsweetened almond milk and the sweetener of your choice.
• This Vegan Egg Nog recipe is made with tofu and soymilk instead of milk and cream. This Vegan Eggnog gets its creamy texture from soymilk, non-dairy whipping cream and vegan vanilla pudding powder. This Vegan Eggnog uses silken tofu, soy ice cream and rice, soy or almond milk.
• Diet-Friendly "Virgin" Egg Nog cuts the calories, fat and alcohol found in traditional egg nog.
• No-Egg Nog is an egg-free version of classic egg nog.

Large Batch Egg Nog Recipes

If you're cooking for a large group, check out these recipes for large batches of egg nog:

• Hypatia's Egg Nog is makes about 12 servings of spiked egg nog.
• Homemade Brandy Egg Nog makes 16 servings.
• This party-friendly Festive Egg Nog recipe makes 32 servings of spiked or no-alcohol egg nog.

Regional / International Egg Nog Recipes

Variations on egg nog are consumed around the world. Here are a few regional and national recipes worth trying:

• Mexican Egg Nog (or Rompope) is an alcohol-optional egg nog made with almonds.
• Coquito (Puerto Rican Egg Nog) is a traditional punch that is made with cream of coconut, rum and spices and served at Christmas and New Years celebrations.
• Eierlikoer, also known as Egg Flip, is a German style of egg nog that requires multiple spirits and a whole vanilla bean.
• Advocaat is a type of Dutch egg nog. It can be made without dairy, topped with whipped cream, or folded with whipped cream to make a dessert called Tokkelroom.
• Likier Jajeczny is a Polish style of egg nog made with French brandy and rectified spirits. It is steeped for four days and served cold.
• Lon's Egg Nog is from Lon's Restaurant at The Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Although I don't usually associate warm drinks with Phoenix weather, I hear it's very good!

Unusual Egg Nog Recipes

Some egg nog variations step far outside of holiday tradition. These unusual egg nog recipes include everything from coffee to chocolate liqueur to cider.

• Chocolate Egg Nog is a spiked egg nog with a chocolaty flavor.
• Baltimore Egg Nog features peach brandy.
• Less like egg nog recipes than recipes that use egg nog as an ingredient, Egg Nog Latte and Cold Coffee Nog combine egg nog's flavor with a caffeine kick.
• Tea Nog is an egg nog-like tea drink made with sweetened condensed milk.
• Although Cider Nog (a blend of egg nog and non-alcoholic cider) is a classic non-alcoholic drink, you probably haven't tried it in recent years.
• White Christmas is a chocolaty cocktail with an egg nog base.
• Bourbon Eggnog uses bourbon, cognac and Grand Marnier to create an unusual variation on classic spiked egg nog recipes.

Read on to discover egg nog dessert recipes.

View the original article here

Chai Recipes

Hot milk, plenty of sugar and spice, and a heavy dose of black tea (or an alternative)... When I'm feeling stressed or I simply want a soothing drink, masala chai (a.k.a. "chai tea") is often the my first choice. If, like me, you love a good cup of chai, check out these chai recipe collections: Masala Chai 101 (which also features basics and reviews) and Best Chai Recipes (which features masala chai recipes from across About.com). Or, check out two of my favorite chai recipes (How to Make Chai from Scratch and Herbal Cardamom Chai Recipe) and two of the most popular chai recipes on the site (Kashmiri Chai Recipe and "Masala Chai Tea" Recipes).

What are your favorite spices for chai? Do you prefer a specific sweetener or type of milk / dairy alternative for your chai, or do you skip additives altogether in favor of a pure tea-and-spice infusion? Share your chai preferences and tips with other About.com readers in the comments below!

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Hot Apple Cider Recipes

I recently assembled a collection of the top Hot Apple Cider Recipes on About.com. It includes a chai-spiced apple cider, a few incredibly easy apple cider recipes, a few alcoholic apple cider recipes, and more. If you're ever in the mood for something besides coffee or tea (Crazy talk!), I hope you'll check them out.

Photo (c) Lindsey Goodwin
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Hot Apple Cider Recipes

This collection of the top Hot Apple Cider Recipes includes all the best alcoholic, non-alcoholic and easy hot cider recipes on About.com.

Extra-Spiced Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Lindsey Goodwin

This step-by-step tutorial explains how to make extra-spiced hot cider in a crockpot. It's an easy, non-alcoholic cider recipe that's great for serving crowds during the holidays.

Hot Buttered Apple Cider Recipe

This easy apple cider recipe includes butter, brown sugar and dark rum for a rich flavor. Like Hot Buttered Rum, it's a wonderful drink to help you warm up after time in the snow.

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out this Hot Buttered Cider Recipe from About.com Cooking for Kids.

Chai-Spiced Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Lindsey Goodwin

This unusual hot cider recipe features traditional masala chai spices, like allspice, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and ginger, for a deeply spiced flavor. It also includes a little almond milk, which adds richness to the drink.

Similarly, Preeti's Spiced Apple Cider Recipe uses many Indian spices for its warming flavor.

Quick Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe

This easy apple cider recipe is mulled in the microwave. If you are looking for an easy hot cider recipe, you might also enjoy one of the following microwave cider recipes:

• Hot Apple Streudel Recipe
• Microwave Apple Cider Recipe
• Microwave Caramel Apple Cider Recipe

Wassail Hot Cider Recipe

Wassail is a traditional German version of hot apple cider. It's typically served in the fall and winter, once apples are harvested. This Wassail recipe is made with orange juice, lemon juice and apple juice, as well as a range of spices (including crystallized ginger). If you like this recipe, be sure to check out this Basic Wassail Recipe and this Crockpot Wassail Recipe, too.

Maple Mulled Cider Recipe

Start with store-bought apple cider. Mull with warming spices and real maple syrup. Serve hot. Delicious!

Hot Apple Toddy Recipe

This alcoholic apple cider recipe from About.com Cocktails can be made with apple brandy or with whiskey. It's a variation on a Hot Toddy, which is usually made with whiskey, hot water or tea, and lemon. If you like spiked apple cider recipes, I'd also recommend the following:

• Hot Gold Apple Cider Punch Recipe
• Hot Apple Pie Cocktail Recipe
• Mulled Apple Cider Recipe

Salem Hot Apple Cider Recipe

This traditional New England hot apple cider recipe includes spices, orange juice and brandy. If you like New England-style cider, check out this collection of cold and hot apple cider recipes from About.com New England Travel.

Hot Apple Cider Video Recipe

If you prefer your recipes in video format, this is the best hot apple cider recipe for you.

Sweet & Spicy Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Sweet & Spicy Hot Apple Cider takes store-bought apple cider and spices it up with cinnamon, allspice, cloves, lemon zest, brown sugar, dark rum and Butterscotch Schnapps. As the name suggests, it's about as sweet as it is spicy!

View the original article here

"Y" Cocktail Recipes

Sep 2 2011

Index Cocktail Recipes A to Z:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Y

• Yaka Hula Hickey Dula
• Yale Cocktail
• Yashmak
• Yellow Bird
• Yellow Fairy
• Yellow Jacket
• Yellow Parrot
• Yellow Submarine

This collection of cocktail recipes is an ongoing project and is updated regularly.

Browse drink recipes by base spirit:
Brandy...Gin...Rum...Tequila...Vodka...Whiskey
Or Non-spirited Mocktails

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Top Hot Chocolate Recipes

This recipe collection includes all the top hot chocolate recipes on About.com, including easy hot chocolate recipes, white hot chocolate recipes, spiked hot chocolate recipes, hot cocoa recipes and more.

Easy Hot Chocolate Recipe

This incredibly easy hot chocolate recipe skips over the need for contant stirring by combining the hot milk and chocolate in a blender. Similarly, this kid-friendly hot chocolate recipe is very easy to make, even though it uses chocolate instead of cocoa powder. Yet another easy, kid-friendly hot chocolate recipe is El Submarino, an Argentinian, make-your-own hot chocolate.

Brown Sugar Hot Chocolate Recipe

Lindsey Goodwin

Brown sugar gives this hot chocolate recipe a deeper, richer flavor than most. If you like flavored hot chocolates, check out these recipes for Orange-Ginger Hot Cocoa (pictured here), Almond Chocolat Chaud and Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Aztec Chili Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Aztecs were the first people to prepare chocolate as a beverage. Although their version of drinking chocolate was very different from contemporary hot chocolate, one trait has remained -- the use of chili peppers for extra flavor. This Aztec hot chocolate recipe calls for one split, seeded red chili for two servings, but you can adjust the level of spice to suit yor tastes.

Chocolate Caliente (Cinnamon Hot Chocolate) Recipe

This spiced hot chocolate recipe includes vanilla, cloves and cinnamon. Other cinnamon hot chocolate recipes worth checking out include Mexican Hot Chocolate with Coffee and Cinnamon, Mexican Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon and Vanilla and Cinnamon Hot Chocolate.

President's Hot Chocolate Recipe

This creamy hot chocolate recipe has been served in the White House. It is gets its dense flavor from milk and light cream, but it's easy to make, as it is a hot cocoa recipe (a recipe made with cocoa powder rather than melted chocolate). For a frothier texture, whisk it just before serving.

Parisian Hot Chocolate Recipe

Decadent and delicious, Parisian Hot Chocolate calls for whole milk and heavy cream. If you like this recipe, you might also like French Chocolat Chaud from About.com French Food.

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Recipe

White chocolate and peppermint make this hot chocolate recipe more refreshing than most. If you prefer white hot chocolate, be sure to also try these recipes for White Chocolate Coffee and Chai-Spiced White Hot Chocolate.

Spanish Hot Chocolate Recipe

This hot chocolate recipe produces a thick, viscous hot chocolate that is meant to be sipped in small quantities. There are two versions of the recipe -- one with baking chocolate and another with sweetened chocolate.

Decadent Hot Chocolate Recipe

This hot chocolate recipe features two kinds of chocolate, plus half and half, for an extra-rich flavor. It's also whipped for a frothy texture.

Grand Marnier Hot Chocolate Recipe

This spiked hot chocolate recipe includes orange juice and, of course, Grand Marnier. If you like your hot chocolate with alcohol, check out Hot Chocolate for Adults (which is made with rum and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur), Kiev Chocolate (hot cocoa with vodka and Amaretto) and Hot Scotch Cocoa (hot cocoa with Butterscotch Schnapps).

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Hot Chocolate Recipes

If you want to make hot chocolate from melted chocolate, then see these hot chocolate recipes. If you want to make instant hot chocolate, hot cocoa from cocoa powder, hot chocolate mix or hot chocolate from chocolate syrup, then read on...

Cocoa Powder / Instant Hot Cocoa Recipes

These easy hot cocoa recipes are all made with instant cocoa mix or cocoa powder.

• If you're looking for a classic hot cocoa recipe, look no further than this easy Hot Cocoa Recipe.
• This Basic Hot Cocoa Recipe explains how to make enough cocoa to serve one or to serve 12.
• Hot Cocoa With Marshmallows is a classic hot cocoa recipe.
• Let Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate simmer while you're cooking a holiday meal or outside enjoying the snow.
• Although it's made with cocoa powder, President's Hot Chocolate has a rich flavor, thanks to the inclusion of light cream and whipped cream.
• Easy Hot Cocoa is prepared with sweetened condensed milk and coca powder.
• Mint Chocolate Tea uses mint tea in lieu of water for a more refreshing, wintery flavor. Similarly, Chai-Peppermint Cocoa uses cocoa powder and peppermint-flavored chai concentrate for a spiced, minty flavor.
• Milk Chocolate & Orange Cocoa gets its distinctive flavor from freshly grated orange zest. It is made with cocoa powder and melted milk chocolate.
• Orange Ginger Hot Chocolate is made with hot cocoa powder, brown sugar, orange zest and chopped ginger.
• Instant Cinnamon Coffee Cocoa is so easy to make, you can even prepare it with a microwave or campfire.
• Spiced Hot Cocoa is enlivened with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipes

Hot cocoa mixes can be made ahead of time for quick, flavorful hot cocoa anytime. They also make good homemade holiday gifts.

• Gourmet Hot Cocoa Mix is a rich blend of cocoa powder, chocolate malted milk and non-fat powdered milk and creamer.
• Spiced Cocoa Mix gets its kick from cloves, cinnamon and cardamom.
• White Hot Chocolate Mix is made with grated white chocolate, white chocolate pudding mix and dried orange peel.
• This Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe includes mini marshmallows.
• This basic Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe is made of nonfat fry milk powder, powdered nondairy coffee creamer, powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Easy Hot Chocolate Mix is made with chocolate milk powder, powdered milk, non-dairy creamer and powdered sugar.
• Hot Chocolate in a Jar is a fun family project for the holidays.

Chocolate Syrup Hot Chocolate Recipes

As a liquid ingredient, chocolate syrup is much easier to mix into milk or water than cocoa powder. It's a great choice for those who want to make hot chocolate as quickly as easily as possible. All of these recipes use chocolate syrup:

• Coffee Hot Chocolate includes hot coffee, instant coffee, various spices and whipped cream.
• Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate is made with chocolate syrup and smooth peanut butter. It's a good option for kids.
• This Hot Chocolate Recipe is easy enough for kids and teens to make.

For recipes made with melted chocolate, see these hot chocolate recipes.

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Best Chai Recipes

If you're like me, you probably gravitate toward "chai tea" (masala chai) as the weather cools down. Comforting, warming chai spices seem like the perfect antidote to cold weather, and I can't seem to help but tinkering with various spice combinations and balances when the temperature drops.

In preparation of this year's cold weather, I recently assembled this list of the best chai recipes on About.com. It includes recipes for simmered masala chai, herbal chai, chai cocktails, chai frosting and more. Of course, if I concoct any more tasty chai recipes this fall, they might get added to the list! But in the meantime, I hope you enjoy this collection of the best chai recipes on About.com.

Photo (c) Lindsey Goodwin
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