A Nice Cuppa

These after dinner drinks have been around for a long time and as with other coffee drinks, the list is endless. Their origin is uncertain but their popularity probably had to do with tableside service in fancy restaurants, pouring the liquor at arms distance creating a beautiful flame, releasing a wonderful aroma and decorating with lovely garnishes.

At home these beverages can also be quintessential after dinner drinks in a different way. Without the ???bells and whistles??? you can make fun and interesting combinations.

Here are a few recipes:

The Grasshopper
Good for the holidays or Saint Patrick???s Day

1/2 oz vanilla syrup
1/4 oz cr??me de Menthe
2 oz espresso
Whipped Cream
Crushed Spearmint Candies or chocolate shavings & Mint Leaves

Mix the espresso with the cr??me de menthe and syrup.
Pour into a cordial glass and top it with whipped cream. Sprinkle crushed candies or shavings and mint.

Frangelico Coffee
A simple brew that can add a unique touch to a birthday celebration.

Cinnamon Sugar
1 oz brandy
1 oz frangelico
Hot double strength brewed coffee
Whipped cream
Toasted hazelnuts, chopped

Moisten rim or a mug or glass with water or lemon and dip in the cinnamon sugar. Add the two liquors. Fill the glass with the hot coffee and top it with whipped cream and hazelnuts.

Caribbean Coffee
A real crowd pleaser! I like to serve this with any banana-based desserts. In fact it just occurred to me that this could be great with a scoop of banana ice cream???

1 oz Tia Maria or other coffee liquor
1 oz Jamaican rum (brown)
Sugar or simple syrup
2 oz espresso
Whipped cream
Chocolate covered coffee beans (optional)

Combine the liquors and sugar or syrup (to taste) in a small saucepan. Mix till the sugar is dissolved and add the espresso but be very careful that the liquor doesn???t flame up. You just want to warm it a little to enhance the flavors.

Pour into a mug or glass, top with whipped cream and garnish with the chocolate covered beans.

Caf?? D???amour
As the name indicates ???coffee of love??? this is a more complex drink. It is a tasty melding of spices. I encourage you to play around with them and omit some if you don???t like any of them. This is wonderful on a cold winter day or when you???re feeling a little under the weather.

1 1/4 oz cognac
5 oz hot black coffee
1/2 orange rind
1 cinnamon stick
1-2 cardamom pods
1 whole clove
1 tbs brown sugar
Candied orange (optional)

Rim a coffee cup with orange juice and sugar. Simmer coffee, zest, cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves and sugar (to taste) in a small saucepan. Heat and ignite cognac in a soup ladle, add to coffee, and extinguish. Strain into the cup, and serve. Garnish with candied zest if desired.