A warm cup of something delicious, while in the company of family and friends, is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. With Thanksgiving just around the corner and plenty of holiday parties and events in store for the rest of the year, you’re bound to need some cozy drinks to satisfy a crowd.
One of the toughest things about making hot drinks for a crowd is keeping them at the right temperature without you standing over a simmering pot or making single servings all night long.
We have three simple recipes to help you get out of the kitchen and reset the way you think about big batch holiday beverages! All you need is your tried-and-true crockpot and a few minutes of prep. Then, sit back and enjoy!
Hot Apple Cider
This recipe couldn’t get any simpler but, feel free to jazz it up if you’re feeling fancy. First, add 2 quarts of apple cider (or apple juice, we won’t tell anyone) to your crockpot. Next, stir in ¼ cup of brown sugar or maple syrup (optional) and either a few cinnamon sticks or ½ tablespoon of cinnamon. Double or triple the recipe if you have a large crockpot.
You could stop there and it would be great! At Reset we like a little “wow!” factor. Orange peels, cloves, freshly grated ginger, or cranberries would definitely take it up a notch. For an adult-only version, cinnamon whiskey adds a great kick. Better yet, keep a small bottle of booze next to the crockpot and let adults add a splash on their own— keeping the crockpot open to everyone! Heat this up on low for 2-3 hours and then switch to warm mode.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
This is not the syrupy sweet PSL you can find in coffee shop chains (no judgment, sometimes we crave those too). It gets its pumpkin flavor from actual pumpkin and has the perfect balance of sugar, spice, and everything nice! If you’re a bold, no-frills coffee drinker we will have plenty of options for you at Reset. But, this recipe may not be for you. Regardless, it’s a crowd-pleaser and you can totally feel free to increase your coffee to milk ratio.
This recipe is best in a big crockpot—6 quarts or larger. First, brew 10 strong cups of coffee and add it to the pot. Then, stir in 1 (15oz) can of pumpkin puree. Make sure you get the puree and not pumpkin pie filling. Next, add your choice of dairy or non-dairy milk. You’ll get the best and most decadent results with half-and-half, but you could make it rich with heavy cream or allergy-friendly with nut milk. Start with 1/2 cup of sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup or your favorite sweetener and add more if you prefer a sweeter latte. Toss in 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk well. Heat on low and switch to warm mode after a couple of hours. Keep a can of whipped cream next to the crockpot and maybe a small dish of pumpkin pie spice to sprinkle on top!
Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Sometimes as adults we forget how amazing a simple yet perfect cup of cocoa can be. This recipe gets holiday flair from the addition of peppermint but, feel free to leave that part out if you’re more of a classic cocoa fan.
Fill your crockpot with your choice of milk or non-dairy alternative. Whole milk works great but we’ve also had success with almond and oat milk! For 3 cups of milk, add 1 cup of chocolate chips (milk chocolate gives it that nostalgic creaminess, but dark chocolate works too). You’ll also want to add in ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract for every 3 cups or substitute with vanilla extract if you prefer. Lastly, a tiny pinch of salt elevates the chocolate flavor–trust us on this!
Make it a cocoa bar by setting out a tray of whipped cream, chocolate sauce, crushed candy canes, peppermint sticks, marshmallows, and holiday sprinkles. Peppermint schnapps or vanilla vodka could also be a fun grownup addition to your cocoa bar.
We hope you enjoy one or all of these tasty beverages with your family and friends. We can’t wait to serve up incredible coffee, beer, wine and more to all of you when we open. Until then, we’re firm believers that everything tastes better in a snazzy mug. Get your Reset mug here! Our mugs are great host gifts and stocking stuffers–especially when paired with a Reset gift card.
