lunaticsinge.com - Spanish Drinks

Spanish Hot Chocolate - (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

4 cups whole milk

1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, lightly crushed

1 or 2 cinnamon sticks

1 whole dried arbol chile or pequin chile

1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

1/2 cup sugar

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1. Combine the milk, saffron threads, cinnamon stick or sticks), chile, vanilla bean, and sugar in a large, heavy saucepan. Bring just to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Remove from the heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain into a large pot, discarding the solids. Heat again gently, then add the bittersweet chocolate. Whisk briskly for 5 minutes to dissolve the chocolate and make a frothy head. Serve at once.

Sangria - (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

6 ice cubes

1 bottle fruity dry red wine

1/4 cup Spanish brandy

2 tablespoons sugar

1 to 2 lemons, sliced paper-thin

2 Valencia oranges, sliced paper-thin & then quartered

3 cups sparkling water

1. Put the ice cubes in a pitcher. Pour in the bottle of wine, then add the brandy, sugar, fruit slices, and sparkling water. Stir well, pour into chilled glasses, and sip slowly to beat the heat of an Andalucian afternoon.