Welcome to Clubhouse Eats, where we celebrate the game’s most delectable food and drink. Hope you brought your appetites.
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If there’s a better brace against the winter chill than a cup of lush hot chocolate, it’s a cup of lush hot chocolate spiked with your favorite warming spirit.
Here are three great hot chocolate riffs that have appeared on the menus over the years at Liberty National Golf Club, in New Jersey, where I serve as assistant general manager and executive chef.
(Note: In each of these recipes, you may notice common ratios. They’re a starting point for great hot chocolate. But don’t hesitate to experiment with different spirits or levels of sweetness. You can also eliminate the cream and add 6 ounces of milk instead, though I prefer cream because of the richness it provides. Also, while I’ve provided suggestions for garnishes, this is an area where you can really have fun. Candy canes, Panettone, chocolate covered pretzels. You want to float a mini gingerbread man atop the Hot Lebowski? Do it, dude. Do it.
Lastly, you can substitute the chocolate with a package of your favorite powdered hot chocolate. But let’s make sure to shoot for quality here.
The Hot Lebowski
2 ounces white chocolate
4 ounces milk
2 ounces cream
1 1/2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce Kahlúa
1/2 ounce simple syrup
(To make your own simple syrup, combine two parts sugar and one part water in a saucepan, bring to a simmer and then cool)
In a saucepan, bring the milk and cream to a simmer, add the chocolate and let it melt. Be sure not to let the mixture come to boil. When the chocolate has melted, stir in the remaining ingredients and serve.
Garnish with a peppermint rock candy stick.
Monkey Milk
2 ounces milk chocolate
4 ounces milk
2 ounces heavy cream
1 ounce Crème de Banane
1 ounce Drambuie
1/2 ounce simple syrup
2 ounces whipped cream
In a saucepan, bring the milk and cream to a gentle simmer, add the chocolate and let it melt. Be sure not to let the mixture come to boil. When the chocolate has melted, stir in the remaining ingredients and serve.
Garnish with dehydrated banana chips and grated nutmeg
Dark Chocolate Trifle
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
4 ounces milk
2 ounces heavy cream
1 1/2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce raspberry liquor
3/4 ounce simple syrup
2 ounces whipped cream
Garnish with shaved chocolate or chocolate stick.
