Hot Chocolate & Peppermint

Most of the leaves have turned and fallen, and the cold is settling in - that means time for hot drinks fireside! Twittermoms and Lenox are having a Drinks of the Season contest so I'm jumping in for this one. There could even be a prize in it for you! (One of) My favorite winter drinks...

Hot Chocolate & Peppermint Schnapps
My dad makes a mean one of these.

Ingredients for 6 servings

1 quart milk (forget the skim, go whole) or half-and-half (even better!)
6 ounces chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate (Or Hershey's syrup)
9 ounces Peppermint Schnapps
Whipped cream
Peppermint sticks

Directions
Heat 1 cup of the milk in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate, stirring constantly, until melted. When the chocolate has melted, increase heat to medium and add the remainder of the milk while whisking rapidly. Do not allow to boil.
Serve in small cups fortified with a jigger (1 1/2 ounces) of peppermint schnapps and a dollop of whipped cream. Add a peppermint stick to stir.

Make a batch of hot chocolate for the kids, and add the Peppermint for you! Enjoy in big mugs next to the fire or take in a thermos on a cool autumn walk. Oh wait. Can you walk around with alcohol? Oh who cares. Enjoy and Happy November!