Lively Libations - Life's Like a Box of Chocolates

Wednesday February 1, 2017 // By Multiple Authors

Whether you like to get into the enamoring spirit of Valentine’s Day or you avoid it altogether, we’ve created some indulgent drinks that can be enjoyed all year around. As the classic quote goes: “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." Be prepared with your gift this year: give the gift of beverages inspired by specialty chocolates.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE CARDS!

 

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Elyse’s “Chocolate Molasses Freeze”

When my husband buys me a box of chocolates the first one that I devour is the Molasses Chew. I created a frozen drink to remind me of those little morsels all year around. This recipe does not have coffee in it but you can add some for an extra kick!

Yield: 1, 16 oz. Drink

Ingredients:
•  ½ scoop Café Essential Chocoholics Choice Powder
•  3 pumps or ¾ oz. Monin Spiced Brown Sugar Syrup
•  1 pump or ¼ oz. Monin Honey Sweetener
•  8 oz. Milk
•  8 oz. Ice
•  Whipped Cream
•  A Drizzle of Ghirardelli Hot Fudge

Directions: Combine Cafe Essential Chocoholics Choice, Monin Spiced Brown Sugar, Monin Honey Sweetener, milk, and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Top with Whipped Cream and Hot Fudge drizzle.

 

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Tia’s “Call Me a Nut but You’re Mocha Me Crazy”

When it comes to romantic gestures nothing is more classic than flowers and a box of chocolates. It is always fun trying to guess what each one was by how they look. For this drink, I just blindly picked a chocolate that I thought looked the tastiest, and it was a Pecan English Walnut Cluster. It was so delicious with a complex combination of flavors, it was quite the challenge to recreate it as a drink but I think I did it justice.

Yield: 1, 16 oz. Drink

Ingredients:
•  2 pumps or ½ oz. DaVinci Caramel Pecan Syrup
•  1 pump or ¼ oz. DaVinci English Toffee Syrup
•  1 pump or ¼ oz. DaVinci Praline Syrup
•  1 pumps or ½ oz. DaVinci Chocolate Sauce
•  2 Shots of Espresso
•  12 oz. of Steamed Milk 

Directions: In a 16 oz. glass combine all syrups and chocolate sauce. Add shots of espresso and stir well.
Pour in steamed milk leaving a little room for whipped cream to be added on top.
Enjoy!

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Tori’s “Blushing Berry Cortado”

Serve your cortado with raspberry infused milk for a charming twist on a cafe classic. Inspired by a sweet raspberry cordial, you will not be left wanting for commercial sweets this Valentine’s Day.

Yield: 1, 4 oz. Drink

Ingredients:
•  2 pumps or ½ oz Monin French Raspberry Syrup
•  Drizzle of Ghirardelli Chocolate Sauce
•  Double Shot of Espresso
•  3 oz Whole Milk

Directions:
Serve espresso in 4 oz glass and top with raspberry infused milk foam. Serve with a drizzling of milk chocolate sauce and fresh raspberries.

 

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Larissa’s “Be My Valencia”

February is the time of year when I make any excuse to eat chocolate dipped fruit. If I’m going to eat chocolate on Valentine’s Day, I want to feel good about indulging. I can justify anything when fresh fruit is involved. This indulgent orange mocha will leave you and your sweetheart speechless.

Yield: 1, 16 oz. Drink

Ingredients:
•  4 pumps or 1 oz Monin Candied Orange Syrup
•  ½ Tbsp. Ghirardelli Majestic Cocoa Powder
•  Double Shot of Espresso
•  Steamed Milk

Directions:
Dissolve cocoa powder in your shots and add orange syrup. Put it in the bottom of your cup and top it off with steamed milk. Perfectly topped with whip cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

 

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Danielle’s “Seaside Smooch”

Crazy for coffee? Love salted sweets? Meet in the middle and enjoy a salty treat with this toffee inspired drink.

Yield: 1, 16 oz. Drink

Ingredients:
•  3 pumps or ¾ oz. Monin Toffee Nut Syrup
•  1 pump or ½ oz. Ghirardelli Caramel Sauce
•  12 oz. Steamed Whole Milk
•  2 Shots of Espresso
•  A Dash of Sea Salt

Directions:
Mix together Toffee Nut syrup, Caramel sauce, and espresso shots in the bottom of your cup. Add steamed whole milk and top with a dash of sea salt.

 

 

Lizzy’s “Lovin’ Fog”

This playful rendition of a London Fog replaces the ever-so-popular Earl Gray Tea with something a little more exotic - Hibiscus Tea. With its floral notes, it perfectly compliments the season of love, and pairs well with the flavors of a White Chocolate Cherry Cordial. Welcome to Cloud 9!

Yield: 1, 16 oz. Drink

Ingredients:
•  1 pumps or ½ oz. Ghirardelli Classic White Sauce
•  1 pump or ¼ oz. DaVinci Butter Rum Syrup
•  1 pump or ¼ oz. Monin Vanilla Creme Syrup
•  2 pumps or ½ oz. Monin Cherry Syrup
•  8 oz. Brewed Smith Tea - Big Hibiscus
•  4 oz. Steamed Milkadamia (Or another alternative milk. Do not use regular dairy)

Directions:
Brew 8 oz. of Hibiscus Tea then add White Chocolate Sauce. Mix well. Next, add your syrups to the mixture and stir. Steam 4 oz. whole milk and add to your tea mixture. Serve hot or pour over ice. Warning: Hibiscus Tea Curdles Dairy.

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