WINTERY ORANGE MOCHA

There’s nothing like a delicious warm and wonderful mocha! But in the winter it’s even more delicious especially when it’s paired with chocolate’s delightful counterpart, orange flavoring.

Did you know, that the flavors of chocolate and orange go so well together? Oh my friend, it’s truly a delicacy and a delight for your mouth to experience. Then put it together with hot espresso and creamy milk, well you’ve got orange chocolatey flavored heaven in your mouth.

I have always loved hot cocoa since I was a kid but it wasn’t until I was in my twenties when I tried my first mocha and I thought huh, maybe this coffee thing could be pretty good if you put a whole lot of chocolate in it.

It wasn’t long until that gateway drink led me to drinking coffee on a regular basis without the sweetness. Yes, I am a huge fan of coffee drinks, espressos, cappuccinos, and still that delicious mocha.

But in winter especially, I somehow gravitate to the sweet citrus flavors. I know it always seems like a summer flavor but in actuality, the citrus is ripe and wonderful in the cold dark days of winter. This is when it is ready for picking.

And being a farmhouse girl, I appreciate eating food when it’s at it peak and naturally available because it really does taste better that way.

We are blessed to have a few citrus trees of our own: grapefruit, lemon, and a big a beautiful orange tree. If you don’t have one yourself, please consider getting one or two or three, depending on the size of your yard, this spring which is the best time to plant citrus.

One of the first things I like to make in the winter with my citrus fruit is the Orange Mocha! It used to be quite a trend when coffee houses erupted in the 1970’s. Then for years Starbucks had their version called a Mocha Valencia after the Valencia orange.

But sadly, rarely can I find a coffee house that serves up one of my favorite treats. So I just had to come up with a recipe myself.

First of all you need really good and strong coffee. The best for this recipe is espresso. Now if you don’t have your own fancy espresso maker, one of these little contraptions called a Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker is so easy and fairly inexpensive too. Click here for link to purchase one like mine.

First you unscrew it and put water in the bottom half.

Next you put the ground espresso coffee in the metal filter, set it inside bottom half and screw the top part back on. Then place on a burner.

It doesn’t take long for it to start steaming and your espresso coffee is done!

Drink this straight up if you like or add some hot milk to it, but for my decadent Orange Mocha you’ll need not only hot milk but orange syrup as well.

I like to make my own and store it in the fridge to use for a refreshing orange cocktail, syrup for pancakes and waffles or these delicious mochas.

You start by making a simple syrup which is just the ratio of 1 cup of water to 1 cup of sugar. You place it in a pan and bring it to a boil and cook until sugar is dissolved while stirring occasionally.

Next add the peel of one orange (careful not to get the pith in it – the bitter white part) and bring to low simmer. Continue to simmer for 5 minutes then take off heat and let cool in pan. After it’s cool add 2 drops of orange essential oil to really bring out that citrus flavor.

Then remove the peels and pour into a bottle or mason jar to store in the fridge until ready to use.

To assemble the Orange Mocha, simply add 2 shots of espresso to a cup with 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa, pour in 2 tablespoons orange syrup and 3/4 cup hot milk. I use whole milk or even Half and Half is better.

Now give it a stir, a dollop of whipped cream and a garnish of some orange zest and maybe even a bit of shaved chocolate sprinkles and ta da, the best mocha you ever had!

As you bring it in for your first sip, you get the fragrance of the chocolate and orange right away before you even taste it.

Then the creaminess of the whipped cream starts you off but wait until the orangey chocolate goodness finishes that first gulp down.

Mmmm, it’s just so good!

Give it a try my friends and please tell me what you think.

XO Jerri

ORANGE MOCHA RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

2 shots of espresso

1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons orange syrup

3/4 cup hot whole milk or half and half

whipped Cream

orange zest and chocolate shavings for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Make espresso to your preference or use 1/2 cup strong coffee
Pour coffee into cup and add cocoa, orange syrup and hot milk.
Stir all together and garnish with whipped cream, orange zest and chocolate shavings.