Got Milk? 2 Fabulous Drink Recipes to Spice Up Your Winter Holiday
By Jill SimonianDISCLOSURE: The following post is in partnership with California Milk Processor Board. All opinions and experiences are authentic.
Nothing says “family holiday” like red wine, hot cocoa and spicy warm milk… right? Stick with me – I’ve got two fabulous and sneaky-nutritious drinks that my family is loving this season.
Holiday tradition is big in my family: Hunting for Christmas trees, decorating cookies to de-stress, living it up with the kids on New Year’s Eve with wild parties that fizzle before the big stroke of midnight. I’m also finding that creating new traditions each year keeps my kids happy, too. (Because, who else has heard way too much of “we’re bored!” during winter break?)
This year, I’ve found some easy, cozy drink recipes to keep my daughters and me busy in the kitchen. They get mocktails, I get cocktails… and we all dunk our holiday cookies together. (We also all get calcium, Vitamin D and protein. A healthy dose of nutrients balances all that icing, right? And, yes, the protein keeps my brain working a bit better through the inevitable “holidaze,” too.)
First up?
Snickerdoodle Milk.
(This seems too simple and good to be true. I promise it’s the real deal.)
(Makes enough for 2-3 kids.)
Ingredients:
2½ cups milk (whole, low-fat, nonfat or lactose free)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Combine milk, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Whisk together until blended.
Heat in microwave for about 1 minute. Whisk again.
Pour into mugs and serve immediately.
This clever “cookie-flavored” drink even won over my picky eater – you know, the one who screams “I don’t want anything right now!” (I may or may not be serving this to her every single day to boost her protein intake, by the way.) Milk’s also a great, wholesome afternoon snack. We tend to forget it’s one of our most natural foods (with one ingredient) from right here in California. Usually, my kids drink it up with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, crunchy nuts and granola bars… but this Snickerdoodle twist is now a new favorite snack all on its own.
Next up? A little somethin’ somethin’ for us parents.
Red Wine Hot Cocoa.
(Yes, you read that right, moms and dads…)
(Makes enough for 2 adults… or one very overstressed wine-loving mom.)
Ingredients:
1½ cups milk (whole, low-fat, nonfat or lactose free)
1/3 cup dark mini chocolate chips
1 cup Cabernet Sauvignon (Merlot works, too, if you have it handy)
Combine milk and chocolate chips in a saucepan over medium heat.
Keep stirring constantly until everything melts! (It might look a bit clumpy at one point, but it’ll melt together nicely if you keep stirring.)
Once milk is smooth and chocolaty, dump your wine right into the saucepan. Don’t panic! It will look clumpy again at first…
Keep stirring until it melts together and smells like a gourmet truffle infused with vino….
Pour into mug (load up with marshmallows if you want!) and serve immediately. Delicious. (Beyond delicious, actually. Who knew that red wine’s antioxidants and milk’s protein made such a nice match?) I should also confess: This velvety treat helps me sleep a bit better, too.
Cheers to a spiked and spicy winter season … and new nutritious traditions with family!
Find more recipes like this on GotMilk.com, on Twitter, Facebook and share your favorite recipes on Instagram. Connect with Jill Simonian at TheFABMom.com.