1 cup strong coffee, steaming hot
1 packet hot cocoa mix (the kind that makes one cup)
1/4 tsp orange extract*

mix everything together & top with sweetened whipped cream.

*you can substitute an ounce of brandy, an ounce of grand marnier, or an ounce of orange-flavored vodka.

1 oz vodka
1 oz amaretto
1 oz creme de cacao
1 oz cream of coconut
1 oz heavy cream
toasted shaved coconut, for garnish (optional)

fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. add the vodka, amaretto, creme de cacao, cream of coconut & heavy cream. shake well & strain into a cocktail glass. garnish with coconut, if desired.

1 1/2 cups ice cubes
1/4 cup cold water
2 fl oz vanilla vodka
2 fl oz white creme de cacao
2 fl oz irish cream
1 tbs chocolate syrup

chill a martini glass by filling it with 1/2 cup ice & cold water. place 1 cup of ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. pour the vodka, white creme de cacao & irish cream over the ice; cover & shake vigorously. dump the ice & water from the martini glass & drizzle with chocolate syrup. strain the cocktail into the glass & serve.

combine 2 cups of dark rum with 3 cups of ginger beer (NOT ginger ale), the juice of 4 limes & a tiny splash of vanilla extract in a pitcher. serve on the rocks with lime wedges.

makes about 8 drinks

1 (750 milliliter) bottle irish whiskey
8 3/4 oz milk chocolate
2 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk
2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 tsp instant coffee granules

pour a small amount of whiskey into a lg bowl. in the top of a double-boiler, melt chocolate, stirring constantly until smooth. mix the melted chocolate with the whiskey in the bowl. gradually stir in the sweetened condended milk & the evaporated milk. stir in the cream, instant coffee granules, & the remaining whiskey.

pour mixture into 3 (750 ml) bottles, seal & store in the refrigerator. best if kept at least 1 month before using. to serve: shake bottle well. serve in small glasses over crushed ice.

1 (2 oz) jar instant espresso powder
3 1/2 cups white sugar
2 cups boiling water
1 pint vodka
1 whole vanilla bean

mix coffee & sugar. add boiling water & stir till dissolved. cool.

add vodka & pour into two 26 oz empty bottles. split vanilla bean into 4 pieces & add to the bottles.

close bottles tightly & keep in a cool dark place for one month before using.

makes 2 qts

1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups vodka
2 tbs almond extract
2 tsp vanilla extract

combine water & sugars in a saucepan over medium heat. heat until the mixture is boiling & all the sugar is dissolved. remove the pan from the heat & let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.

stir vodka, almond extract & vanilla extract into the mixture. store in a sealed bottle.

makes 3 cups

5 oranges
2 lemons
1/4 cup honey
5 cups water, room temperature

juice lemons & oranges (you want the combined juices to equal 1 cup). whisk honey into water until fully dissolved. add fruit juice & continue to whisk. pour over ice & drink or refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

6 servings