The Spread

By Brittney Nadler

Holding a warm drink while walking to class is the definition of killing two birds with one stone – you not only keep your fingers from falling off in the bitter cold, but have a delicious and soothing beverage to warm your body (not to mention we all feel kind of cool as we briskly walk to class with our full on adult stride and I-mean-business-looking cups). Because the temperature decided to drop faster than your last midterm grade, here are a few quick fall sips guaranteed to keep your blood pumping during that battle with the elements:

1. Hot Mulled Cider

Ingredients:

½ tsp. whole allspice

½ tsp. whole cloves

1 stick cinnamon

½ cup water

1 ½ cup cranberry juice

1 qt. apple cider

Mix. Cover. Microwave for 5-8 minutes or until hot. Done. Other apple cider recipes include nutmeg, brown or white sugar, even fruit. Add or ditch whatever you wish, because after all, we’re college students. Just make sure you get the cider and you’ll be on your way to breathing in the warm smell of apples and fall in no time.

2. Homemade Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

3 ½ cups sugar

2 ¼ cups cocoa

1 tbsp. table salt

Whole milk for serving

Combine sugar, cocoa and salt in a bowl. For individual servings, pour one cup of whole milk into a mug and microwave until hot, then add the hot chocolate mixture. Scrap the hot cocoa packets that always leave you wondering why your quick-and-easy drink tastes more like hot water and powder clumps – go for the gold with homemade hot chocolate.

3. Pumpkin Spice Latte for less than $1

Ingredients:

3 tbsp. ground coffee

⅔ cup water

½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

2 tsp. honey

⅔ cup milk

This seasonal coffee takes a little bit of effort to pull off. First, brew the coffee. Simple. While the coffee is brewing, stir the pumpkin pie spice and honey until it is completely blended and set it aside. Pour the milk in a bowl, tilt the bowl slightly and whisk away for about two minutes, or until frothy. For extra motivation, think of all the calories you’re burning in preparation for this savory brew. Microwave the milk for 10 seconds. To serve, pour the coffee into a mug and stir in the honey mixture until dissolved. Spoon the foamy milk on top and add a dash of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon to achieve the fancy Starbucks look. Voila!

4. Hot Spiced Punch 

Ingredients:

12 cinnamon sticks

4 tsp. whole cloves

2 tsp. whole allspice

Peel of one lemon, cut into one-inch strips

9 cups white grape juice

1 can unsweetened pineapple juice

¾ cup lemonade

½ cup sugar

Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and lemon peel in a cheesecloth (a very thin, transparent, white cloth used for cooking) and bring the corners together to form a bag. Then, in a kettle, combine the grape juice, pineapple juice, lemonade concentrate and sugar, followed by the bag. Wait until the mixture boils and remove the bag after allowing it to cool. This punch is definitely for the most adventurous, fall-loving, drink-tasting student, but definitely worth the hassle.

Ingredients and items:

Herbs of your choice (mint, chamomile, lemongrass, basil thyme – you can also add ginger or cinnamon)

Water

Empty tea bags

This is probably the easiest of them all for those mornings when you just can’t help but hit the snooze button five times. Mix the desired herbs in bowl, put them in an empty tea bag and put the tea bag in hot water. Enjoy!