Monday, November 28, 2011

Spiked Gingerbread Coffee for the Thanksgiving Aftermath


Another Thanksgiving dinner is in the books. And although two days of cooking boils down to what seems like minutes of eating, it’s always worth it in the end when you hear the happy sounds coming from the dining table, isn’t it?

This year was a little bit different than usual. Instead of the standard Thanksgiving fare, I used the gathering to test out a five-course wine pairing dinner that I’ll be making for the highest bidder at a benefit auction. (More on that later.)


My goal for the actual event is to have as much as possible done ahead of time, to minimize both stress and preparation needed in a foreign kitchen. So for our test-run, my dad and I prepped almost every component of every dish the day before Thanksgiving. We were feeling great after about six hours of cooking and toasted our success with a celebratory glass of wine. All that was left to do were some last minute touches, reheating and assembling. We went into Thanksgiving more relaxed than we’ve ever been. Everything was under control.

This is usually where my story takes a turn for the worse and I tell you that I caught the kitchen on fire, or almost cut my finger off or that Andy accidentally kicked me in the head. But not this time…dinner went off without a hitch. Fingers crossed that it goes as smoothly next time.


Fast forward through the next several days of me being about as lazy as humanly possible. We’ve lounged and read and watched football and napped. Not much cooking has happened, save for heating up some leftovers and frozen pizza. Late into the weekend, I realized I was feeling a bit off, but did my best to ignore what I was feeling. By Sunday morning, my throat felt swollen and my voice raspy. It never fails…one of us is always sick during the holidays, but at least I made it past Thanksgiving this year. And I’m getting it out of the way early so we don’t have to worry about Christmas. Now Andy just needs to keep away from me for a few days.

Since this was our last day of a fantastic long weekend, I was determined to enjoy it. I thought a spiked coffee might be just what the doctor ordered.


Spiked Gingerbread Coffee with Crème de Cacao Whipped Cream

1 ounce gingerbread liqueur
1/2 ounce Amaretto
1/2 ounce coffee liqueur (I used Starbucks)
1/2 ounce heavy cream
freshly brewed hot coffee, to taste

Whipped cream (optional):
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 ounce crème de cacao
1 tablespoon superfine sugar

Combine gingerbread liqueur, Amaretto, coffee liqueur and cream in a mug. Fill with coffee to taste. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

To make whipped cream: pour cream, crème de cacao and sugar into electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whip on high until peaks form.


This is Christmas in a mug. It made me wish for Bing Crosby and our tree adorned with sparkling lights and ornaments. Coffee, gingerbread, chocolate-tinged whipped cream…it’s rich and flavorful and hard to drink slowly. It will warm your hands and your spirit. I was feeling much better after one of these…


Onto the Christmas season…are you ready? (Have a coffee if you're not...it will help, I promise.)


26 comments:

  1. Mmm, sounds perfect with spekulatius :)

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  2. Sounds like the perfect way to recover from Thanksgiving!

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  3. I've never seen Gingerbread Liqueur but the coffee does sound tasty. Cheers!

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  4. Sounds delicious!!
    Have a great day

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  5. I'm going to have to have a look for gingerbread liqueur. I've never heard of the stuff (shows how often I frequent the liquor stores, huh). This coffee does look fantastic and I love me some coffee.

    Regarding Christmas, I'm ready; bring it on!

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  6. Yummmmyyyy!!!

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  7. Omg you are speaking my language with the delicious looking coffee drink! I'm starting to get that itch in my throat too. It never fails after a long weekend and travel (planes = gross).
    Can't wait to go to the liquor store and find gingerbread liqueur!

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  8. oh, yum! I could go for one of those right now! You should come link up to my What's Cooking Wednesday linky this week!

    Diane
    http://turning-the-clock-back.blogspot.com/

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  9. I love gingerbread anything and this seems like just the thing to get me into the holiday spirit!

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  10. Wow this looks fantastic! I love gingerbread. Will def have to try!

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  11. I'm so glad your illness held off till the end of the weekend. Better than being sick on Thanksgiving! And I'm glad you had this delicious spiked coffee to nurse you along~ Feel better soon, Karen!

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  12. Am i too late? are there any leftovers for me? I love gingerbread anything! This looks absolutely fabulous. hoping you feel better soon K! xx

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  13. Wow....this is awesome Karen! I would totally love this cocktail. Are you accepting visitors? Guest room made up? :) Kidding...or am I? haha Great post!

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  14. I have never heard of gingerbread liqueur! This drink sounds like my new BFF. At least for the next few months. You thanksgiving sounded similar to mine. Eat, be lazy, repeat. Hope you feel better soon!

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  15. Oh...I want that drink..want..want! Love the apple butter I saw just before this post, spicy and yum, gonna make it this weekend.

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  16. fun drink and so happy your dinner party went so well

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  17. Your spiced gingerbread coffee looks good! Hope you are feeling much better! Have a nice day!

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  18. I'm def making this over the weekend! Glad you didn't start a small fire or loose a finger this thanksgiving. We had similar success with only two fire alarms going off. ;)

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  19. Yes, that's X'mas in a mug! Love those cookies (Are they Spekulatius?) too.

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  20. that sounds like a comforting new recipe, which I have to try out one of these days. I have noted it down. ;)

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  21. Sounds like the perfect remedy! A liquid holiday! Hope it did the tick and you are feeling better.

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  22. This could easily become a favorite.

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