A CUP OF
CHEER Holiday sips leave body and spirits toasty warm
By Megan Myers and Jessica Piña
W
hen you’re getting ready for a holiday dinner, don’t forget the drinks! Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering with family or a small outdoor get-together with friends, these drinks will make you the life of the party. We all deserve a little comfort and a little celebration, and the drinks we’re preparing this season will give you both. Inspired by our grandmothers’ pecan pies in the winter and Texas sheet cakes in the summer, the Texas Pecan Hot Chocolate marries a cold weather classic with a Texan tradition. It’s perfect for the kids’ table — or, if your party has a more grown-up vibe, sneak some pecan whiskey into the batch. Don’t let the pecan simple syrup scare you — a small pot and 15 minutes are all you need to whip up your own flavored syrup. 16
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE
I
DECEMBER 2020
Texas Pecan Hot Chocolate Ingredients:
Directions: Mix instant
(for simple syrup) 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 cup pecans
dry milk, cocoa powder, chocolate chips and salt in a medium bowl. Divide mixture evenly into four mugs. Add the pecan simple syrup to each mug to taste — we recommend starting with a few tablespoons. Pour 6-8 ounces of hot water in each mug and mix until dissolved. Garnish with whipped cream and chopped pecans.
(for hot chocolate) ¼ cup pecan simple syrup ½ cup instant dry milk ½ cup cocoa powder ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips 4 pinches salt Hot water
