Warm drinks taste good during cool weather

Compiled by Denise Swogetinsky

Kemper Messenger

With cooler weather, comes our desire for wonderful warm drinks.

 Unfortunately, most have very high carb and sugar counts. So, we go on a search for carb friendly drinks. Just remember that a healthy lifestyle takes planning and moderation.

Apple Pie Spiced Hot Tea Mix

Hot tea (Apple Pie Spiced)

1/3 cup crystallized ginger

1 tablespoon whole allspice

1 tablespoon whole cloves

2 cups dried apple chips (crisp or dried apples)

12 sticks cinnamon (2 1/2 to 3 inch each)

16 green tea bags

Divide ginger, allspice and cloves among the infusers of four glass teapots.(If teapots don’t have infusers, cut four 7 to 8 inch squares of double thick cotton cheesecloth. Divide ginger, allspice and cloves among cheesecloth squares. Tie closed with clean kitchen string.) Divide apple chips and cinnamon sticks among teapots. Cover; attach 4 tea bags and serving instructions to each gift.

Makes 4 gift mixers, 4 servings per mix.

To Make Tea: In medium pan, mix spice bag, cinnamon sticks, and 4 cups water. Bring to boiling; Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Add apple chips and tea bags to spiced water mixture. Let tea steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags, spice bags, and cinnamon sticks.

Low Carb Hot Chocolate

2 cups unsweetened almond milk

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons sweetener (see post for options)

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and place over medium-low heat.

Heat the mixture until it just starts to lightly simmer and the cocoa powder is completely absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes, whisking frequently to combine the ingredients. Monitor carefully to avoid overheating and burning the chocolate -- the mixture should be barely hot enough to simmer. Turn off the heat. Stir to make sure all ingredients are well-combined, scraping up any chocolate stuck to the sides of the pan.

Pour the mixture into two mugs and serve. Optional toppings: Top with whipped cream. Sprinkle cocoa powder on top.

Low Carb Hot Chocolate Mix

1 1/2 cups heavy cream (Powdered)

1/2 cup cocoa (Baking)

1 cup artificial sweetner

Pour all ingredients into a mixing bowl and thoroughly mix. Store in an air tight container or in small containers as gifts.

To make hot chocolate

Mix 3 tablespoons mix into 8 ounces of hot water. Stir well.