Ingredients:

• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 12 ounces chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red food coloring
• Whipped Cream Vodka
• Whipped topping or marshmallows, optional

Directions:

• Heat the milk and sugar on the stove until the sugar is dissolved and the milk is steaming.
  • You don’t want it to boil and scald, so once you get lots of little steamy bubbles around the edge of the pot, it’s hot enough!
• Take it off the heat and add the chocolate chips and vanilla extract.
• Whisk until melted.

• Add red food coloring to give it the red velvet look.

• For the adults, add a shot of vodka into your hot cocoa.
• For the children, top with whipped topping or marshmallows!

Notes:

• You know I always go for the special dark chocolate for my chocolate chips!

As always we ask that you please enjoy our recipes responsibly. Don’t ever drink and drive. Enjoy some delicious Red Velvet Hot Cocoa with your family this weekend!

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Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Coconut Rum
• Splash of Pineapple Rum
• 2 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda
• 1 oz. Blue Curacao

Directions:

• Fill your glass with ice.
• Add 1 oz. Coconut Rum
• Add a splash with a splash of Pineapple Rum.

• Top it off with 2 ounces of lemon lime soda.
• Add 1 ounce of Blue Curacao.
• Stir.

• Add a fresh fruit garnish if you’re feeling fancy and pretend it’s a warm beautiful day on the beach.

Notes:

• This cocktail is also great with white rum or vodka and lime or citrus rums or vodkas.
• For the non-alcoholic version, I used a Blue Curacao syrup! Top your lemon lime soda with the syrup. You can even add a 1/2-1 teaspoon of coconut extract for a yummy tropical flavor!

This is such a tasty and festive drink for the summer. It helps you escape to the beach, even if one isn’t anywhere close to where you are! So, hold your glass high and say, “Cheers for an Ocean Breeze!” Enjoy this concoction, but, as always…please drink responsibly!

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Ingredients:

• 2 cups of ice
• 1/2 cup (or a small can) Pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup crushed pineapple
• 1/2 cup Cream of Coconut
• 1 ounce Coconut Rum
• 1 ounce White Rum
• Maraschino cherries for garnish, optional

• Pour everything in the blender with the ice.

• Start mixing until a nice slushie consistency!

• The crushed pineapple add extra sweetness and texture. So tropical and yummy!
• Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
• Extra points if you have little drink umbrellas.

Notes:

• Leave out the rum if you’re making virgin Pina Coladas.
• These make great after school or Spring Break snacks.
• Just top yours with a shot of rum and you’re good to go!
• Sit back and pretend you’re on a beach somewhere warm!

I love topping mine with maraschino cherries. YUM. I’m gonna spend the weekend sitting in the backyard wishing for some warmer weather!

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The first step in the recipe is making a Blackberry simple syrup. Don’t worry, it sounds much fancier than it is. A simple syrup is just an equal ratio sugar/water solution that’s simmered on the stove. A lot of drinks call for a simple syrup because the sugar is already dissolved and the syrup blends easily to any cold drink you’re preparing.

Blackberry Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1.5 Cups Fresh Blackberries
• 1 Cup Water
• 1 Cup Granulated Sugar

Directions:

• In a medium saucepan, add all ingredients.
• Simmer until all of the sugar is dissolved.
• Allow to cool.
• Strain blackberries from the syrup.

Now your blackberry simple syrup is ready to go for your favorite drinks or even as a replacement for regular syrup for your pancakes and waffles! I just know you will enjoy this as much as my family!

Blackberry Whiskey Limeade

Now for the grand finale! You’ll need your favorite whiskey. The smoothness of whiskey goes really well with the sweetness of the blackberry syrup and the tartness of the limeade. Plus, it is such an easy recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Blackberry Simple Syrup
• 1 oz. Whiskey
• 2-3 oz. Limeade
• Limes (sliced) and blackberries for garnish (optional)

Directions:

• Fill glass full of ice.
• Add blackberry syrup.
• Add whiskey.
• Top with limeade.
• Stir to mix.
• Garnish with fruit (optional).
• Enjoy!

Not only is this a gorgeous drink, it’s absolutely delicious. This may be one of my favorite adult beverage recipes! Be careful though, they are deceptively potent. Please drink responsibly! Enjoy a batch of these Blackberry Whiskey Limeades at a relaxing afternoon with friends!

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Ingredients:

• Cup Hot Black Coffee
• Hazelnut Syrup or Sweetener
• Whipped Cream
• 1 oz. Irish Whiskey

Directions:

• Pour a cup of coffee filling your cup about 3/4 full
• Add your Hazelnut Syrup or sweetener
• Pour Irish Whiskey
• Stir
• Add Whipped Cream

Notes:

• Wanting a creamier coffee? Consider add in Bailey’s Irish Cream to your coffee before the whipped cream to add an even more fantastic flavor!

It’s almost too pretty to drink! Almost…

This is a great cup of coffee to enjoy on a lazy Saturday or after a big dinner. As always, this delicious concoction is to be enjoyed by our readers who are at least 21 years old. Always drink responsibly and NEVER drink and drive.

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The holidays are here, and if you’re anything like me, your mornings are all about cozy vibes, festive tunes, and that first magical sip of coffee. There’s just something about the season that makes every cup feel a little more special. And this year, my secret to the perfect brew? Coffee mate®—the creamer that’s been elevating coffee since 1961.  

These creamers are 2x richer than milk and oh-so-smooth, transforming my everyday coffee into a treat I actually look forward to. Plus, they’re non-dairy, cholesterol-free, and gluten-free, so there’s zero guilt in every dreamy pour.  

French Vanilla

This one is my go-to for mornings when I want my coffee to feel like a warm hug. The bright vanilla notes are perfectly balanced, making every sip taste like a little holiday magic.  

Italian Sweet Crème

Silky smooth and indulgent, this creamer is a game-changer. I like to pair it with a holiday treat (hello, biscotti!) for a coffee moment that feels like a mini escape to Italy.  

Hazelnut

Rich, sweet, and comforting, Hazelnut is perfect for chilly mornings. I’ve been adding a sprinkle of cinnamon on top—it’s a cozy holiday twist that makes my kitchen smell amazing.  

Make Your Mornings Merry  

The holidays can get hectic, but starting the day with a perfectly crafted cup makes everything feel a little brighter. Coffee mate® has become my favorite way to treat myself, no matter what the day holds.  

So, grab your favorite mug, pick a flavor, and let’s sip our way to a cozy, joyful holiday season. What flavor will you try first? 

Head to your local Commissary to grab yours today! 

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Ingredients:

• Eggnog
• Spiced Rum
• Coffee Liqueur
• Spices such as Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom (optional)

Directions:

• Simply add a 1 ounce shot of the spiced rum to your glass.
• Top with a 1 ounce shot of coffee liqueur.
• Add your eggnog.

• If you’re making a pitcher or punch bowl, add 1/4 cup of rum and a 1/4 cup of coffee liqueur to 1 quart of Eggnog.
• Stir to combine.

• Top each glass with a sprinkling of spices to add a little extra holiday cheer.
• I used cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s so delicious!

• My husband wandered in while I was testing this recipe and insisted on his own glass. We both approve whole heartedly of the Spiked Eggnog! Now I have to buy more to celebrate National Eggnog Day this weekend!

This recipe is really simple and REALLY delicious. It definitely puts me in the holiday spirit! As always, we ask that you please enjoy responsibly. The holidays are a time to come together and celebrate. NEVER drink and drive.

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There are some fantastic traditions around the world, all involving reading! Here are a few that I have found, and that are worth some consideration for either later this month or next year. 

These are a couple of my favorites:

1. Christmas Eve Read-a-thon: The night before Christmas in Iceland, everyone is given a new book, and they spend the night reading. This is one tradition I could fully support! I mean, who else has pulled this tradition several times during the year!? I know there are times when I am working on a book that I think to myself “I can totally finish this tonight!” Not sure if its always a good idea, but those book hangover mornings are totally worth it.
2. 25 Books of Christmas: Get 25 books, and put under the tree. Wrap them or stick them in a bag that the kiddos will not be able to see what they are. Each night, let them reach into the bag and choose one book. Read the book together, and use it to count down to Christmas!
3. Books for Troops: Find a couple of books that you have loved, and take them to a USO. While you can do this one year round, there are more and more troops traveling around the holidays, and you never know when one of your favorite books might become their new favorite too! You can also donate to post libraries, or find someone sending boxes to deployed troops and add a few books into that.

While these are three of my favorite traditions, there are so many more out there! A quick search or visit to the library can help to uncover more of these great ideas and perhaps help to start some new traditions in your home! Wanna see some of our favorite books? Make sure to check out our Amazon Storefront Book Nook sections!

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Ingredients:

• 1-2 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream,
• 6-8 Fresh Raspberries
• Crushed Ice
• Additional Raspberries for Decoration

Directions:

• Toss 6-8 raspberries in the bottom of a glass.
• Muddle together.

• I used a wooden spoon handle to muddle my berries.

• Add crushed ice on top of the berries.

• Top with Bailey’s.
• YUM!

• It’s pretty too! These drinks are fantastic to have with some Christmas cookies while wrapping presents.

• Top with a couple raspberries for decoration if you feel like it. So fancy!

Notes:

• Muddle is just a fancy word for smash ’em up.
• It doesn’t have to be crushed ice. Crushed ice is just my favorite. You can certainly use whatever ice you prefer!
• It’s so easy and so refreshing. It’s like a drink and dessert all in one. A super delicious dessert! The tart berry cuts through the sweetness of the Bailey’s and balances the flavors perfectly.

That’s it, folks! So easy and SO yummy. The fresh raspberry really makes this drink amazing. Plus, it’s super easy to make!

This recipe is to be enjoyed by those 21 years and older. Please drink responsibly!

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Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine,
• 2-3 cups of Apple Cider
• Sliced fruit
• Cinnamon sticks (and/or cloves, star anise, and cardamom pods)
• 1/2 cup orange liqueur
• 1/4 cup honey, optional

Directions:

• Add all of your ingredients into a large pot on the stove.
• Simply let it simmer away until warm and fragrant.
• It was seriously make your house smell AMAZING. Like Christmas morning, but with wine!

• Serve in a mug with sliced fruit and a cinnamon stick. So festive!
• This Mulled Sangria is so delicious.

Notes:

• I used Cabernet Sauvignon for my red wine.
• For my fruit, I used pears and oranges.
• If the Cabernet is a little dry for your taste, you can 1/4 cup of honey OR try it with a different wine!
• For something lighter, you can use Chardonnay or even Moscato, if you like things on the sweeter side.
• You can also add fresh orange juice for a bright flavor.
• The possibilities are endless. I just LOVE Sangria and mulled wine so why not combine both?

This mug of deliciousness will keep you warm and toasty this holiday season, whether you’re snuggling on the couch watching the kids decorate the tree or walking in the cold singing carols. It’s perfect for a holiday brunch as well!

Please enjoy responsibly. This recipe is to be enjoyed by those adults who are at least 21 years old.

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