Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew at Home

There are pumpkin lovers this time of year and then there are those who don't feel the love like some of us.

 As pumpkin month continues on my blog, I found myself visiting my favorite coffee house to find signs posted saying they are out of stock of several items. Sadly, pumpkin for our coffee is one of them. So I set off to find a way to make my pumpkin cream cold brew at home and tested it out today to rave reviews!  

Here's an easy recipe with simple ingredients you may have on hand.  

Ingredients needed: 1 cup Half & Half, 4 cuos store bought cold brew, 3/4 maple syrup, 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree, and 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.

Divide the cold brew into 4 glasses. Pour the half and half, maple syrup, pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice into a mason jar and cover with a lid.  Shake vigorously until the half and half forms a cream 0r you can use a frother in a bowl if you have one to make it creamy.  Pour carefully divided into each glass filled with ice, serve and enjoy!

Happy Weekend!

Festive Cocktails for your Holiday Party

Candy Cane Martini (Apartment Therapy)

This is so easy to make and super festive for the holidays! These measurements makes 1 Martini:  1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka, 1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps, 1 ounce club soda, crushed candy canes for garnish.  To prepare:  Rim martini glass with crushed candy cane. Mix vodka, schnapps and club soda with ice in a cocktail shaker.  Strain into prepared glass.  Hang a candy cane on the glass for a festive look.

Photo by SweetPeaChef

This recipe literally takes 4 minutes and will make 1 serving so modify for more cocktails as needed.  Ingredients are 1/2 cup strong black coffee, 2/3 cups eggnog, 1/3 cup milk, sugar, whipped cream or nutmeg (optional but so delicious).  To make:  Pour strong black coffee into a mug and add warmed eggnog/milk mixture.  You can warm in the microwave or stovetop.  Add a little sugar or sugar substitute to sweeten a bit.  Top off with whipped cream and a pinch of nutmeg.  If you are serving this in the evening, add a shot of rum or brandy for extra holiday cheer:)

~Enjoy a safe weekend celebrating with family and friends~

How Do You Brew your Coffee?

French Press

I love this antique box I found to keep my special Keurig KCups in.

I use an antique dish dryer rack to hang my coffee mugs.  Always a conversation piece.

I appreciate a great cup of coffee.  Years ago while visiting friends, they served us coffee made in a French Press.  If you want to treat your family and friends this weekend, try this method.  You start the coffee in the kitchen and finish it at the table where you can watch the brew process.  I like the Bodum french press and it can be found on Bodum.  

Here is the simplicity of the process that "connects" you to the coffee.  

Always use freshly ground coffee beans. Starbucks is my favorite coffee bean for it's rich and bold flavor. By the way pumpkin flavor fans like myself! Starbucks instant pumpkin latte has arrived in stores so stock up.  Plan on using approximately 1 tablespoon of grounds per cup.

Use a tea kettle to heat your water.  Let it sit for a couple of minutes after boiling before adding it to the french press.  

Pour the hot water into the press, slowly covering all the coffee grounds as you fill it up.  Stir the grounds immediately.

Add the filter on top and let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.  After the time has passed, press the plunger down and you are ready to pour and serve.  Customize with your favorite creamer, sugar, Agave nectar, or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for a special treat.

Weekdays I use my Keurig single serve brewer . I generally drink just one cup in the morning and am the only one in the house drinking hot coffee.  My husband prefers cold pour iced coffee.  Making an entire pot of coffee each morning isn't practical. Plus it's quick and easy and there are over 500 varieties of coffee, tea and specialty beverages to choose from.  There are other single serve coffee makers out there of course, and everyone has a favorite.  We have a self serve coffee bar in our homes for family and friends who stay with us that gets a lot of use on weekends.   

Keep a coffee cake and/or cinnamon rolls in the freezer for coffee time! However you brew, enjoy and savor the moments. Happy weekend.