Rachel Marwedel
Staff Writer
Each Monday, I gather my roommates and taste-test two mocktails. Here’s how this week’s went:
Chocolate-Orange Cooler
So good, I ended up making it twice.
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Crushed ice
Combine orange juice, cocoa, sugar, and vanilla in a blender. Process for about 20 seconds or until smooth. Pour over crushed ice in a glass and serve immediately. Makes 1 serving.
I originally found this recipe in The New Mixer’s Guide to Low-Alcohol & Nonalcoholic Drinks by Sheila Buff and Judi Olstein. I ended up using sugar cubes since I had that, but no other substitutions. In fact, I had everything I needed already in the kitchen. After combining all the ingredients, I decided to add the ice in this step as well. Kind of like a smoothie. After processing, I poured it into the glass. Super simple!
This drink tastes exactly like you’d think chocolate oranges would – only better. It hit you with a strong cocoa flavor, then a tangy orange aftertaste. A perfect drink for a holiday treat, to be shared with family and friends alike. I’m putting this one in the recipe box.
Rating: 3/3
Yogi Tea
Holidays + Tea = This?
- 1 cup water
- 1 (2-3 inch) cinnamon stick
- 1 thick slice of fresh ginger root
- 3 whole black peppercorns
- 3 cardamom pods
- 6 whole cloves
- Honey to taste
Place water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil and add cinnamon stick, ginger root, peppercorns, cardamom, and cloves. Remove from heat, cover, and infuse for 7 minutes. Strain into a cup; sweeten with honey. Makes 1 serving.
What a gem to find in The New Mixer’s Guide. I began with boiling water in my electric kettle. You’ll notice there are very few recipes where I use a stove. That’s because the dorms don’t have stoves, a fact I lament every night. Fortunately, the kettle got around this particular problem. I decided to triple this recipe, so all the spices added were tripled. I couldn’t find any cardamom pods, but cardamom powder seemed to do the trick. After infusing, I strained it all out. Each drink ended up requiring quite a bit of honey – perhaps a tablespoon? A tripled recipe made three glasses.
I’m not much of a tea fan, but this drink won even me over! It melted your soul while leaving your mouth tingling with spices. I couldn’t imagine a better tea to sip by the fireplace, cozied up in a warm blanket, purring cat on my lap. Is this strictly a Mocktail, though? Uh….. No comment. Absolutely a keeper.
Rating: 3/3