A Perfect Warm Drink for the Holidays

When outside a cold wind is blowing, and everything is covered with snow, here's a perfect way to warm up your holiday. Be it a get-together with friends, or a romantic evening with that someone special, this drink is sure to warm and cheer you up.

First, make sure you have a pint of Haagen Dazs super premium chocolate ice cream in the freezer for every 3 or 4 people. Vanilla can be used as a substitute, as can coffee, but chocolate works best. Get enough cocoa powder, such as Caotina, for two cups per person - once you taste this drink you'll agree - too much is not enough.

Prepare a bottle of your favorite rum, dark or light. If you prefer Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, that should work too. If alcohol is not your thing or if you're a designated driver, use rum flavoring or do without. A gallon of full milk should be enough for up to 15 people. A can or two of ReddiWip, a deep pot, enough mugs and teaspoons for everyone and you're ready to roll.

To minimize preparation time, be sure to have everything at hand on the counter before you start. Unless you have a small army over, you should be able to prepare the drinks in just a little more time than it takes to boil water.

To make your drink extra rich and creamy, boil milk instead of water. Make sure however that the pot you're using is much deeper than the milk you're pouring in. When milk boils it tends to bubble up and over, making a huge mess. Watch over the milk and as soon as it starts boiling and rising, remove the pot from the range.

Stir the Caotina powder into the hot milk until fully dissolved. Doing this in the pot makes it easier to stir well. Next, add a dash of rum for each person. If some want alcohol and some don't, simply delay this step until after you pour the drink into the individual mugs.

Next, pour into large mugs, filling them only half way. Don't worry, you won't have to wonder if the cup is half full or half empty for long. Add a large scoop of Haagen Dazs super premium chocolate ice cream. If it's a large holiday party, ask your partner or a friend to work the scoop.

For some real indulgence, top off the drink with a tower of ReddiWip. Sprinkle some Caotina over the ReddiWip for decoration. Put in a small spoon for the ice cream and let the cheer begin.

The contrast between the warm chocolate and the cold ice cream, the sweet whipped cream and the bite of rum, all make this a holiday experience to relish. For a romantic variant, just add fire in the fireplace and soft music in the background.