I love warm drinks in the winter.  Coffee, cocoa, tea, even an occasional apple cider are all welcome.  What I don’t like is having to take a long time to make it, which is why we always have drink mixes around.  Not to mention, drink mixes make great gifts.

I considered using my Cinnamon Vanilla Warmer Mix to fill my etched jars, but I was in the mood for something new.  My kids have been drinking a lot of chai lately, so that was in.  My new favorite flavor is salted caramel, which meant I was going to need something that included that as well.  I ended up with two new recipes.

We’ll start with the chai.  I like it a little on the spicy side.  My son felt this was a little too peppery, but he doesn’t usually like even a hint of spice.  My daughter and I both felt it was perfectly seasoned.  However, if you’re like my son and want it on the mild side either reduce or eliminate the pepper and reduce the ginger.

Spiced Chai Tea Mix

3/4 cup dry milk powder

3/4 cup dry powdered plain creamer

1/2 cup powdered vanilla flavored creamer

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup unsweetened instant black tea

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

3/4 teaspoon ground allspice

3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Combine all ingredients and process in a food processor until you have a fine powder.  To serve, add 1/4 cup mix to a mug of hot milk or water.  Makes about 3 1/4 cups of mix or 13 servings.

I originally planned to only make the chai, but as soon as the idea of salted caramel cocoa made its way into my head there was no going back.  I was nervous about getting the amount of salt right, but this is exactly the taste I imagined.  Make sure you’re using sea salt and not regular table salt or it will be too salty.

Salted Caramel Cocoa Mix

2 cups dry milk powder

1/2 cup dry powdered plain creamer

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup powdered dulce de leche or caramel flavored creamer

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 tablespoon sea salt

Combine all ingredients and process in a food processor until larger pieces of milk, creamer and salt are powder.  To serve, add 1/4 cup mix to a mug of hot milk or water.  Makes about 4 3/4 cups of mix or 19 servings.

Just talking about these is making me want a warm cup.  The only problem is, which one?