An Unexpected Chapter

This recipe is a cross between a white peppermint hot cocoa and a White Russian. It’s perfect for an evening spent wrapping presents, a weekend day spent reading, or time spent watching so-bad-they’re-good Hallmark Christmas movies. It is delicious, and I hope to never know exactly how many calories are in it. (If you do the math, don’t tell me.) If you care even less about calories than I do, you can swap out some of the milk for half-and-half.

This recipe is for one (generous) serving so double or triple as needed if serving a group.

• 1.5 cups milk
• 3 oz white chocolate, chopped or grated
• 2 drops peppermint extract
• 1 ounce Kahlua
• 1 ounce Vodka
• Toppings: Whipped cream, candy canes, sprinkles or colored sugar

1. Heat milk over the stovetop. Do not boil.
2. Reduce heat to low and begin adding the white chocolate to the milk approximately 1 ounce at a time, whisking until dissolved, and then adding the next ounce.
3. Add in peppermint extract.
4. In each mug, add 1 ounce Kahlua and 1 ounce vodka. Pour in cocoa.
5. Make it pretty with your desired toppings, take a picture for Instagram, and enjoy!

Recommended movie pairing: White Christmas (of course!)
Recommended book pairing: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens