Easy Spiced Apple Cider Recipe

A hot mug of cider on a crisp fall day is the coziest thing I can think of. This easy apple cider charms your taste buds with classic fall spices and warms you up from the inside out. Plus, it makes your whole entire house smell heavenly while it slowly simmers over the stove.

This isn’t just a homemade version of your average apple cider – it’s a specific variety known as mulled apple cider. Regular cider usually sticks with apples as its sole ingredient while mulled cider incorporates spices and citrus fruit.

Classic apple cider is also meant to be served cold, but for mulled cider, the opposite is true. That being said, this foolproof mulled cider is just as amazing straight out of the fridge!

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The Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

During the winter, it’s so important to have a stash of hot cocoa mix on standby. You could go out and buy some at the store, or you could whip some up at home in seconds! This simple guide will show you how to become a master hot chocolatier.

It all starts with a combination of 4 simple ingredients, and then you can customize your hot cocoa from there! There are so many different flavors you can make, from peppermint hot chocolate to mocha hot cocoa. Or you could stick to the basics and cozy up with some classic hot chocolate topped with melty mini marshmallows.

Why I Love This Recipe

Homemade hot chocolate mix makes a lovely gift. It’s an inexpensive option that has all the charm of a homemade present, and it can be adapted to suit any holiday or occasion. When you make someone cookies, they can enjoy them for about a week, but hot cocoa mix will stay good all year long!

What You’ll Need

When combined, the ingredients below produce a rich and creamy hot chocolate that’s not too bitter or too sweet. You can always adjust the amount of sugar if you’d like to tweak the sweetness level.

• Dry Milk Powder: Nonfat or whole milk – your call!
• Cocoa Powder: Use natural and unsweetened cocoa powder. This way, you have complete control over the amount of sugar added.
• Sugar: Since this recipe calls for unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar is a must. I use granulated sugar and much prefer it to powdered sugar.
• Salt: A small pinch of salt will enhance the chocolate flavor big-time.

How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix

This might be the easiest recipe in the whole wide world! You just have to mix everything up in a bowl.

• Combine Ingredients: Whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl.
• Store: Store the mix in an airtight container or jar.
• Make Hot Chocolate: When you’re ready to make a cup of hot cocoa, mix 2-3 tablespoons of the hot chocolate mix with 8 ounces of hot water or milk in a mug. Serve with mini marshmallows or other toppings of choice.

Tips for Success

Before you combine any ingredients, take a look at these quick tips and suggestions. They’ll guide you toward your ideal hot cocoa!

• For Maximum Creaminess: Go for whole milk powder rather than nonfat milk powder if you like a creamier hot cocoa. Because it contains fat, whole milk powder will naturally add a little more creaminess.
• Don’t Add Extra Chocolate: I tried adding chopped chocolate to the mix and wasn’t crazy about it. Even when chopped quite small, it didn’t melt super well, nor did it seem to add much additional flavor.
• Use Granulated Sugar: I encourage you to stick with regular granulated sugar. Powdered sugar won’t provide the same amount of sweetness.
• Don’t Omit the Salt: Please don’t forget the salt! Salt can so easily be overlooked, but it really does enhance the flavor of everything – even hot chocolate.

Hot Cocoa Variations

Need a specific kind of hot cocoa to satisfy your craving? I’ve got you covered!

• Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Adding crushed peppermint to your hot chocolate mix makes it look and taste more festive! The bits of mint will melt in the hot cocoa and infuse it with peppermint flavor.
• Spiced Hot Cocoa: I often like to add some warm spices to my hot chocolate, especially during the fall. You can use cinnamon, clove, nutmeg or a combination!
• Drinking Chocolate: If you want to make a richer, more intense drinking chocolate rather than classic hot cocoa, simply replace about half of the sugar with unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Mexican Hot Chocolate: A lot of people prefer a certain amount of spiciness in their hot cocoa. If this applies to you, go ahead and add in some cayenne pepper to taste.
• Mocha Hot Cocoa: Feel free to toss in a scoop of espresso powder if you’d like a mocha flavored hot chocolate. Use decaf espresso powder if desired.
• Spiked: I’m a big fan of some Irish cream in my hot chocolate for a fun twist. You could even try some Kahlua.

Serving Suggestions

When it’s time to serve your hot cocoa, you probably want to spruce it up with a quick topping or two. Here are some ideas besides the classic mini marshmallows!

• Add Whipped Cream: When it comes to classic hot chocolate toppings, whipped cream is also at the top of the list. And it’s super easy to make yourself! You can keep it traditional or throw together this Baileys Chocolate Whipped Cream for added flavor.
• Top with Salted Caramel: I’m a huge sucker for the rich, sweet and salty flavor combination of salted caramel hot cocoa. Drizzle some Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce over your drink to try it!
• Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar: For more fun serving ideas, be sure to check out my Hot Chocolate Bar Fiesta! If you’re going to make hot chocolate, why not throw a whole party for it?

Recipe

How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix

★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews

• Author: Lindsay
• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 2 minutes
• Yield: 20
• Category: Drink
• Method: Bowl
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Enjoy the hot cocoa of your dreams with this quick and easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix. It only uses 4 ingredients, and it can be customized with all your favorite hot cocoa flavors!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups (184g) dry milk powder, nonfat or whole milk
• 3/4 cup (85g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup (155g) sugar
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

• Whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium sized bowl.
• Store in an airtight container.
• When ready to serve, mix 2-3 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix with 8 oz hot water or milk in a mug.
• Serve with marshmallows or other toppings.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size:
• Calories: 41
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 17.1 mg
• Fat: 0.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 9.6 g
• Protein: 1.3 g
• Cholesterol: 0.4 mg

Keywords: homemade hot chocolate mix, how to make hot chocolate, hot chocolate with cocoa powder

More Hot Chocolate Inspired Recipes

If you’re a big fan of hot chocolate, you’ll be in heaven with these hot cocoa inspired desserts!

• Hot Chocolate Cake
• Baileys Hot Chocolate Ice Cream Pie

The post How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix appeared first on Life Love and Sugar.

A Light & Refreshing Sangria

This sangria is inspired by a rosewater elderflower lemonade from Home Goods that I had a couple years ago. It’s popped up in my head every now and again since then and I’ve been wanting to make a sangria version for some time and I finally did!

This sangria includes the two most important elements – rose water and elderflower liqueur – so it definitely has a floral flavor to it. But the floral-ness is softened by the fresh fruit that lends its flavor to the sangria more and more as it sits.

No sangria would be complete without wine, so this one features rosé. Fitting, don’t you think? It’s a lovely, refreshing sangria that’s perfect for summer and any occasion where roses may be present. I’m thinking Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day or even Bachelor watch parties. Honestly, any reason to make this rosewater sangria is a good reason to me!

What You’ll Need

Fresh fruit, rum and wine combine to make this rosé sangria. Strawberry is infused in all levels of this sangria, which is complimented by the subtle flavors of rosewater and lemon.

• Dry rosé wine – You can’t make sangria without wine!
• Sparkling water – I used strawberry flavored.
• St. Germain liqueur – Provides the elderberry flavor.
• Strawberry rum – The secret ingredient to make this a little boozier and infused with strawberry.
• Sugar – Adds a bit of sweetness to balance out the floral flavors and liquor.
• Water – You can also use club soda but I prefer water.
• Rosewater – You can make your own with fresh rose petals or find it bottled.
• Fresh strawberries – Fresh fruit is a must when making any sangria!
• Lemon – Adds a pop of citrus flavor that compliments the strawberry and floral flavors.

How to Make Rosewater Rosé Sangria

Making this rosé sangria could not be easier! There’s just two steps to making this.

• Combine all ingredients. Add all ingredients to a large pitcher. Stir to combine.
• Refrigerate. Refrigerate for a minimum of 3-4 hours, then serve.

Tips for Success

Here are a few things to keep in mind to make the best, most flavorful Rosewater Rosé Sangria.

• Use a dry rosé. Since sweetness is added with the other ingredients, I find it best to start with a wine that’s not super sweet. A dry rosé is perfect for that.
• Sparkling rosé for extra bubbles. If you like your sangria with extra bubbles, use sparkling rosé.
• Refrigerate overnight. If you can, make this sangria the night before. The longer it sits, the more the flavors of the strawberry and lemon come out.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in glasses over ice, with a fresh rose petal for presentation. Sometimes I’ll even add a strawberry or lemon on the rim of the glass, just to be a little fancy.

Of course, since this will be chilled from being in the fridge, the ice is optional and a personal preference!

How to Store Sangria

Sangria will last in the fridge for several days – as long as it’s kept refrigerated. Keep in mind that the fresh fruit will only last so long though. I recommend enjoying your pitcher within 2 days with the fruit in it for the best fresh flavor. But if you add the fruit later, it will last up to 5 days.

Recipe

Rosewater Rosé Sangria

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews

• Author: Lindsay
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Chill Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours
• Yield: 8-10 glasses
• Category: Drink
• Cuisine: American

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Description

With rosewater, elderberry liqueur, and strawberry, this Rosewater Rosé Sangria has a fruity and floral flavor. This refreshing sangria is perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or any other special occasion!

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Ingredients

• 2 (750ml) bottles dry rosé wine
• 1 cup sparkling water (I used strawberry flavored)
• 3/4 cup St. Germain liqueur
• 2 tbsp strawberry rum
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 tsp rose water
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 large lemon

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Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir to combine.
2. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight, then serve. Keep in mind that the longer it sits with the fruit in it, the more it absorbs the fruit flavor.

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Keywords: strawberry sangria, easy sangria recipes, rosewater sangria,

More Drink Recipes:

• Red Wine Sangria
• Black Raspberry Champagne Bellini
• Watermelon Elderflower Cocktail
• Mango Margaritas
• Tropical Watermelon Lemonade Cocktail

The post Rosewater Rosé Sangria appeared first on Life Love and Sugar.

An Easy & Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe

When the weather starts getting colder, you need a few hot cocktail recipes in your back pocket. Put this hot toddy at the top of your list! I love making this drink when I need something a little stronger than hot chocolate.

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