Ballston and Virginia Square, it's cold outside! We've got to feature a couple hot drinks during the cocktails portion of the Holiday Saute! So far, we've made a minty Grasshopper and a fruity, bubbly Poinsettia. Both served cold. Time for something to really warm you up.

I found this recipe in Food and Wine Magazine. In my Irish family, whiskey is a must at all holidays. In fact, my family would be more shocked if there was no whiskey than no tree at Christmas. That being said, a sweet, hot drink that tastes great that contains Disaronno (an Amaretto-so not whiskey, but something that they would still consider acceptable) would be a welcomed change. Disclaimer for my family: Not a permanent change-just a little bit of a shake up from having whiskey all the time. :)

Mocha Italia
Serves 1

Ingredients:
1 oz Disaronno
1 pk hot chocolate
Fresh, hot brewed coffee
Whipped cream (if desired)

Directions:
1) Mix coffee and hot chocolate in a mug. Fill ¾ of the way to the top.
2) Stir in Disaronno.
3) Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Rate it!:
Rating: A
Level of Difficulty: Can you hit "brew" on your coffee machine? (easy)
Cost: Disaronno runs about $16.00 for a smaller bottle. The other ingredients are less than $1.00/serving
Cost per Serving: $2.00ish-Disaronno is pricey, but in this drink a little goes a long way.
Bad Breath Factor: It's a sweet drink-not a problem.

Suggestions:
1) Use a nice coffee. We used Saints Coffee (which we buy every year. What's great about them is that for every pound of coffee you buy, an orphan is fed for an entire month!) It's amazing coffee. Also, be sure to stick to unflavored coffee for this drink.
2) Stir hot chocolate in very well.
3) Don't be a heavy pour: This is not college-too much alcohol does not taste good in this drink at all. Take it easy.

This is sure to warm you up on your cold winters nights. Because it's sweet, it can be used as a great after dinner drink. Enjoy this curled up on the couch watching Elf. That's what I did. It was pretty awesome.

Happy Holidays, Ballston!