By: centraljersey.com
If, like so many others, you are sneezing sniffling, coughing and wheezing your way through this winter, you may have thought of resorting to drink. That is, soothing drinks to cure what ails you.
One friend of mine swears by a hot toddy made with tea when she feels a cold coming on. Her version includes rum, but many others use brandy, bourbon, or Scotch instead, or forgo alcohol all together, especially when taking cold medications.
But I will admit, when a recent bout of "The Crud" laid me low, I happily quaffed a blend of orange spice tea, lemon, honey, and just a soupeon of brandy one afternoon, snuggled up in bed with a good book.
That really hit the spot, so I went online to do some research, and found a treasure trove of information on hot drinks, both curative and just for fun. I also contacted Anthony Dissen, Outpatient and Community Education Dietitian at the University Medical Center at Princeton. Two of his suggestions are below, and I can personally attest to the efficacy of ginger, whether you need to warm up or soothe a nervous tummy.
If you’re a firm believer in the restorative powers of hot chocolate, you can spike that up with warming spices such as cardamom, ginger, or chili, or by all means a shot of liqueur, such as Kahlua or Framboise. And just for fun, I also include a favorite weekend eye-opener, the Bloody Mary, in a bracing warmed-up version from the Silver Palate.
HOT TODDY From cocktails.about.com
1 ounce brandy, whiskey or rum
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 lemon
1 cup hot water
1 tea bag
Coat the bottom of a mug or an Irish coffee glass with honey. Add the liquor and the juice of the lemon quarter. On the side, heat water in a tea kettle and add the tea bag to make hot tea.
Pour the steaming tea into the glass and stir.
APPLE AND KUZU CIDER From Anthony Dissen
This is a great and delicious drink for those days when your throat is scratchy. The drink coats the throat and soothes any irritation. Kuzu is an unrefined starch found in many health food stores. This is also a great drink to help you fall asleep at night!
Place 4 ounces of unrefined apple cider in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium low heat. In the meantime, dissolve 1 teaspoon of kuzu powder in a small amount of water, and then stir the mixture into the apple cider. Stir well, and allow to simmer for another 3-5 minutes or until the cider has thickened slightly. Serve warm with a dash of cinnamon and enjoy.
TRUE GINGER TEA From Anthony Dissen
This drink is absolutely wonderful if you just can’t warm up during the cold days and nights. Ginger is said to warm us from the inside out, and this tea shows how true that is.
Take a fresh ginger root and grate about 1 tablespoon of ginger pulp. Place the pulp in a small bit of cheesecloth and squeeze out the juice into a small cup. Meantime, place 4 ounces of water in a small saucepan and begin to warm over medium low heat. Once the water has reached a temperature you enjoy, add the ginger juice and turn off the heat. Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of natural honey. Stir to combine and drink while still nice and warm.
BLOODY MARY SOUP "The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook," Julee Rosso, Sheila Lukins, with Sara Leah Chase, Work man (1984) Serves 6
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 ribs celery, minced
1 medium-size sweet red pepper, seeded, cored, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
2 cups drained canned tomatoes
4 cups tomato juice
Grated zest of 1 lime
3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup vodka
1-1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds
Juice of 2 limes
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Dill sprigs (garnish)
Lime slices (garnish)
Melt butter in large pan over low heat. Add celery and both peppers. Cover and sweat over low heat until very soft, about 30 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, tomato juice, lime zest, horseradish, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes.
Process soup in blender (being careful of splatters), or use immersion blender in pot, off heat. Return pot, with soup in it, to medium heat, add vodka, caraway seeds, lime juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Heat until hot. Ladle soup into mugs and garnish.
AUTUMN SLUMBER TODDY From cocktails.about.com
2 ounces gin
