Hot Winter Drinks for Everyone Help Ring in the New Year

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Or, so they say.

All I know is that last winter, after skiing on a beautiful, fun, yet bitterly cold day, I fell in love with hot drinks.

To confess: I am a really cheap date. I don’t drink much, and unlike the “most interesting man in the world” (who is, actually, a skier), I don’t often drink liquor. When I drink, I drink water, beer and wine.

And yet…there is something about a hot drink after skiing that warms you inside and out and makes any day feel like a special occasion.

So, in honor of the season, and my budding appreciation for one (just one – cheap date, remember?) hot drink at the end of a very cold day here are some recipes to enjoy.

The HotTanya

If you ski Crested Butte, you’ve probably run across Montanya Distillers. Or, even if you’ve never been to Crested Butte, you’ve probably run across Montanya Distillers.

The winner of numerous awards, including the 2012 “Best Après Adventure Bar” from Outside Magazine, Montanya handcrafts rum, transporting the taste of the mellow Caribbean to the towering Colorado Rockies.

The owners are also my friends. I grew up with one of them, camping, reading (we were nerds), carpooling to school and yes, skiing together. Even if I didn’t know them, I’d be hard pressed to recommend a better warming cocktail than their HotTanya.

Here’s how to make a batch that will last all winter…or just long enough to ring in the New Year with a big group of friends.

Montanya Distillers HotTanya Mix

• 1 Quart Vanilla Ice Cream, softened
• 1 lb Butter
• I lb Brown Sugar
• 1 lb Confectioners Sugar

Mix everything in blender, food processor or with a mixer. Freeze. Will keep frozen up to 4 months.

Montanya Distillers HotTanya Cocktail Recipe

•  2-3 tablespoons of HotTanya Mix
• 3 oz Montanya Oro (omit to make this drink kid-friendly)
• Hot Water
• Whipped Cream
• Nutmeg

Combine the HotTanya mix, Oro rum and enough hot water to fill your cup and make your drink piping (can anyone really define piping?) hot. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

For a festive touch, do as they do at Montanya on New Year’s Eve and add a burning sparkler!

Speaking of NYE, if you are in Crested Butte, stop in at Montanya Distillers.  They’ll have live music, free rum tastings and distillery tours and decadent appetizers such as crab tostadas and warm brie with walnut honey compote from their new menu.

Double Irish Hot Chocolate

This is the drink that got me hooked at Keystone Resort.

I have no idea what its actual name is, so I made one up. I think it fits.

• Hot Chocolate
• 1/2 shot Bailey’s Irish Creme
• 1/2 shot Jameson Irish Whiskey

Top with whipped cream and enjoy!

For a kid-friendly alternative, try adding more chocolate to your favorite hot chocolate!

Here are some ideas:

White Hot Chocolate – Melt white chocolate chips into your drink and add  a dash of vanilla.

Hazelnut Hot Chocolate – Add a big spoonful of Nutella to hot chocolate and stir to combine.

Minty Hot Chocolate – An old standby, try omitting the candy cane in favor of a spoonful of mint chocolate chips. Don’t forget the whipped cream!

Brownie Delight Hot Chocolate – I’ve never tried this, but it sounds good, if mushy, gooey and ooey. Put a brownie in the bottom of the mug and add hot chocolate. Top with whipped cream and serve with a spoon. Or just eat the brownie on the side.

Ring it out, ring it in…and stay warm!

Happy New Year!

Looking for More?

•  You Gotta Get It; The Ski House Cookbook, November 7, 2011.
• Don’t Go Hungry! Ski Vacation Tips for Feeding the Family, January 21, 2013.
• Squirreling Away Food for Skiing, January 19, 2011.

 

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