Café Con Monica

Thirsty Thursday!

I couldn’t find any link-ups for this but it is Thursday and being back to work has me thinking about how much I would like to be a person that drinks.

I mean I drink…on the weekends or socially but very rarely will I just pour myself a glass of wine or make a drink and just hang out on the couch.

Anyway…the whole point was that as of last week I have a new favorite drink. I have only really heard of them when it comes to the Derby but for the party I made Mint Juleps and I love them!!

I may actually just start making them all the time! 
So here is how I made mine: 
Mint Julep 
-4 to 5 sprigs of Mint 
-Crushed Ice 
-a shot or two of bourbon
-a tablespoon of simple syrup 
I made my own Simple Syrup:
-1 Cup water
-1 Cup sugar 
Combine the sugar & water in a small saucepan and boil, cook till the sugar is dissolved. Then take it off the heat and cool. I poured mine into an old(cleaned) wine bottle so I could use it for different drinks. 
Then when you are ready to make your Mint Julep you put some of the mint in the bottom of the cup with a the simple syrup and using a wooden spoon mash up the leaves. Add crushed ice, the bourbon and a little extra sprig of Mint and stir it up! 
So delicious! That is actually what is in my cup in my main photo over there! 
Try it…or come by and let me make you one! 

Rumchata Hot Chocolate Recipe!

A few years ago I was convinced me to make some hot chocolate for a Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl game and I decided to make it a more fun and alcoholic recipe! 

It is actually pretty simple and I promise that anyone who tries it will love it!

*These are not the right cans but I forgot to get a picture with the right ones.

Rumchata Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:   

  • 1 Bottle of Rumchata (750 ml)
  • 2 Cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 1 Carton of Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 2 bags of Andes Mints Chips (or two packs of broken up mints)
  • 4 Cups of Milk

I would suggest using a crock pot but you could let it simmer in a pot on the stovetop for 2 hours(but be careful to watch it doesn’t burn)   

The night (or a few hours) before mix the Rumchata and chocolate in the crock pot and let it sit overnight.

In a separate container mix all the dairy ingredients together and let them sit in the fridge overnight(or for a few hours) as well.

When ready pour the dairy mix into the crock pot and let it cook for 2 hours on HIGH.         

This has been a hit many times over now and I always recommend it for a hot boozey drink!

Five on Friday!

What a week! I am so glad its Friday! 
So since I have not one special thing to discuss with ya’ll I will list 5
{1} 
One of my the parents brought me a Pie Pumpkin so I will be attempting to make Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread at some point this weekend…if it fails then good old pumpkin pie it is! 


If you happen to know any other recipes that use real pumpkin let me know so I can try them! 
{2} 
I signed up for a Belly Dancing class. I am sure I’ve mentioned before one of my very close friends Bellydancer is well…a belly dancer. She is still in Thailand right now so I thought it would be fun to take a class and show her my moves when she got back but I loved the first class and decided to sign up for a 7 week session at Arabesque Chicago!
Since I joined the class I decided to add some really cute things from Etsy to my Xmas wishlist! 

Ya know…just in case you are feeling generous! 
have you ever taken a class??

{3}
I joined a gift exchange on Fat Mum Slim’s blog  and I am super excited. I was paired up with someone in Australia and I have to stalk her on social media and Elfster to figure out just what to get her. Its all very elaborate with a Facebook Group and everything. I love getting things in the mail, so if you like to send mail of any kind feel free to send something my way!! 

{4}
Two more 5k’s coming up I have to sign up for! Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and Santa Hustle! 
Because who doesn’t love a good themed 5k? If your in Chicago and want to run the Santa Hustle join me! I’m really really really hoping it doesn’t snow! It did my first year. 

{5}
I am excited for the weekend to finally be here! Three day weekend!!
After reading about Vimbly on Stephanie @ Not Entirely Perfect’s blog I checked out the options and signed The Boy & I up for the brewery tour…turns out the place is actually walking distance to his house! So I put it in our Couples meetup as an event and it was a big hit so we are going tomorrow with 5 other couples. 
I can’t think of a better way to spend my Saturday Afternoon! 
What is your Five on Friday?? 



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