During These Cold Times, Let AeroCom Warm You Up!

 
Start unpacking those sweaters and knee-high socks! It’s that time of year, hot drinks become popular again at Starbucks and tans begin to fade! Although we wish it were beautiful sunny weather here in Orange County all year, the clouds have began to roll in and not to mention, rain not too long ago!

So to tend to your winter needs, the team here at AeroCom has put together some delicious drink recipes to get you through the winter time! Whether you’re sitting next to your fireplace nice and toasty, or bundling up in blankets trying to keep warm, we’re sure these recipes will surely make you feel cozy and ready for the cold.

1) Delicious & Easy Chai Tea

• 8 cardamom seeds
• 8 cloves
• 4 black peppercorns
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
• 2 cups of whole milk
• 4 bags black tea
• 8 teaspoons of sugar or more

  Directions
  1. Place the cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a heavy skillet.
  2. Place the crushed spices in a medium saucepan, along with the cinnamon sticks, ginger, milk, and 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add the tea bags, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes.
  3. Strain into cups. To each,cup, add 2 teaspoons sugar or more, to taste.

2) Home-Made Hot Chocolate

• 3 ½ cups of sugar
• 2 ¼ cups of cocoa
• 1 tablespoon table salt
• Whole milk for serving
  Directions
  1. In a large bowl, combine sugar, coca, and salt, and whisk to combine well. Store the mixture in an airtight container
  2. For individual servings, pour 1 cup of whole milk into a microwave-safe mug, and microwave on hot. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa mix, and stir to dissolve.

3) Hot Apple Cider with Rum

• 1 Apple
• 2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 2 quarts apple cider
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• Pinch grated nutmeg
• 1 cup dark rum (optional)
• Cinnamon Sticks

  Directions
  Stud the apple with the cloves. In a medium pot, combine the studded apple and remaining ingredients except the rum. Slowly bring to a simmer over low heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the rum. Discard the apple. Ladle into mugs and garnish each with a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately

4) Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (I know, I was shocked too!)

• 1 15-ounce canned pumpkin (chilled)
• 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk (chilled)
• 8 ounces vanilla yogurt
• ¼ cup of sugar
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• Whipped cream, to taste (optional)
  Directions
  1. Combine pumpkin, milk, yogurt, sugar and spice in a blender; cover.
  2. Blend until mixture is smooth.
  3. Pour into glasses; top with whipped cream (if desired) and an additional sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Serves four.

We hope you enjoy these recipes and they taste as good as they sound!