photo courtesy ~ Life’s Ambrosia

Chocolate and mint, the combination that reminds me the most of the holidays. This flavor duo brings to me the sensation of icy cold air filling my lungs on a winter’s night wrapped up in my warmest woolen sweater. Maybe it was the years I spent working at the ski resort, and the thousands of these hot cups of goodness that we served, but I find this treat is still one of my favorite ways to warm up after ice skating under a blanket of stars or playing outside on a snowy day.

photo courtesy ~ Delish.com

To prepare a Peppermint Patty:

Here are two versions of this classic drink. Which ever strikes your mood, I think you will find they are both wonderful.

#1

• 1 ounce peppermint schnapps
• ½ ounce dark crème de cacao
• hot chocolate
• whipped cream (optional)

Pour schnapps and creme de cacao into a mug. Fill with hot chocolate, and top with whipped cream. Garnish with a candy cane, drizzle of Crème de Menthe, or colored sprinkles.

#2

• 1  ounce White Godiva liqueur
• 1  ounce White Crème de Menthe
• ½  ounce Green Crème de Menthe
• Chocolate syrup, for drizzling

Combine White Godiva Liqueur and White Crème de Menthe and shake. Pour into a martini glass.  Float ½ ounce Green Crème de Menthe and drizzle chocolate syrup on top.

 To prepare the Ultimate Hot Chocolate:

 Recipe from Martha Stewart

• 4 cups milk
• 1 cinnamon stick, 6 sprigs fresh mint, or 2 split vanilla bean (optional)
• 10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate, cut into small pieces
• Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
• Chocolate shavings (optional)

Heat milk to scalding in a medium saucepan. Add cinnamon, mint, or vanilla, if desired. Let steep 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; strain, and return to saucepan. Reheat milk; using a whisk, stir in chocolate until melted and milk is frothy. Serve immediately with a dollop of whipped cream garnished with chocolate shavings, if desired.

Even though the Peppermint Patty is named after the candy, I like to think that Charlie Brown’s baseball buddy Patricia would most certainly find this her drink of choice.