Earlier this fall, C and I took an impromptu trip to NYC. It was just a day trip but we checked off a bunch of things I have been wanting to see and do. Big on my list was the Starbucks Reserve Roastery on 9th Ave….it combines almost all of my favorite things: coffee, alcohol and food. Now, it’s important to note that the coffee addiction runs strong in my family. Growing up, when my mother would open a fresh can of Maxwell House coffee, we would all gather around to smell the glorious scent of fresh(ish) coffee grinds. We would be transported to heaven for a moment before normal life would resume. A girlfriend of mine said what she remembered most from my house was the scent of coffee brewing and my mother’s homemade pizza. That pretty much sums up life at 14PS, great coffee and delicious food. (Just don’t ask my sister, K, about stuffed peppers). I should also note that despite consuming coffee from a young age my growth was decidedly unaffected.
Needless to say, I felt right at home at the Roastery. I ordered a Brandy Corretto from the bar and immediately started thinking about how to recreate it. Now, I know that a corretto involves espresso, but I don’t own an espresso machine! I’m sure Italians everywhere will be outraged at the modification I made, but it still came out delicious so I’m okay with it.
C and I tested this multiple times (we got it right the first time but HAD to be sure!) and last weekend gave some of our friends a taste of our creation. It was a HUGE success. The only suggestion was to supply a dish of the homemade cinnamon whipped cream so it could be added continuously. Can’t blame them, that whipped cream is delicious.
What makes this week’s Festive Friday even more amazing is that it is an acceptable breakfast/brunch drink, so you can have it at ANY time of day with zero guilt.
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 1.5 ounces amaretto (I used Disaronno)
- .75 ounces brandy (I used E&J VSOP)
- 6.25 ounces STRONG coffee (I used a french roast)
- Cinnamon whipped cream for topping (recipe below)
Directions
- Brew your coffee, I used 2x more grinds than I would use for a normal pot of coffee. I made 4 cups of coffee and used 8 tablespoons of grinds. You may need to adjust this if you’re using a french press or another brewing process.
- Add amaretto and brandy to your mug
- Add the coffee (you want to ensure there’s space for whipped cream!)
- Top with the cinnamon whipped cream
Ingredients for Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar (most recipes call for 4 tablespoons but I don’t love too much sugar, this amount was perfect)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Put bowl in the freezer for 30 minutes prior to whipping the cream
- Pour chilled whipping cream into cold bowl
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon
- Use electric mixer/beaters to whip cream until stiff peaks form
- Chill or use immediately
I hope that you feel decadent treating yourself to this drink. I’ll imagine each of you lounging in cashmere pajamas, sitting by a fire, admiring your Christmas tree while somebody cooks breakfast and sings along to the Christmas music drifting through the house.
Cheers to an enchanted weekend!
XOXO
