Anna Sultana’s Hot Drinks: Caramel Coffee for One, Spiced Vanilla Coffee, Caramel Coffee for Four, Spiced Coffee

Don’t even look at the calendar.

I know, it says March.  

But it feels like January, with fresh snow covering everything.

This winter just doesn’t want to quit.

Along with making us cold and miserable, the cloudy skies are making us sleepy and miserable.

Time for a cup of coffee.

Being from Malta, Ma usually relaxed with a glass of tea and a slice of bread.

I guess that was the Maltese way: they knew that the tea was popular with the British, but Maltese served tea, hot or cold, in a glass.

When we moved to America Ma’s new in-laws introduced her to coffee.

Back in the 50s coffee was usually perked.

Ma would prepare a pot whenever the relatives visited.

It would boil and bubble and we’d watch it get darker and darker in the little glass cap on the lid of the percolator.

When it was nearly black, she would serve it in cups.

But Ma also kept a jar of instant for when she felt like having something different.

Sometimes she made a cup to warm me when I came home from college or work.

It was nice to share a cup and talk about our days.

With a little jazzing up, a cup of coffee can make a nice ending to a meal, too.

I’ve included some recipes for when you have friends or relatives over.

These recipe work with either a percolator or a drip pot.

If you’re worried about caffeine, decaf is fine, too.

                       Caramel Coffee for One

Stir 

1 Tablespoon caramel ice cream topping 

into 

1 cup hot brewed coffee 

Top with 

whipped cream or topping 

A squiggle of caramel topping

**

                       Spiced Vanilla Coffee

2 servings, 1 cup each

Place in a saucepan

1 1/2 Cups water

1/2 cup skim milk 

Bring just to boil and remove from heat. 

Add

1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee 

1 Tablespoon sugar

Stir until dissolved.

Stir in

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Serve topped with

whipped cream or topping

A dash of

ground cinnamon (or nutmeg or unsweetened cocoa powder)

**
                       Caramel Coffee for Four

4 servings, 1 cup each

Place in filter in brew basket of coffee maker

6 Tablespoons coffee 

Add to coffee maker

4 1/2 Cups cold water 

Brew.

When brewing is complete, add

1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping

Stir coffee until blended. 

Pour into mugs.
Serve topped with

whipped cream or topping

A squiggle of 

caramel ice cream topping 

**
                       Spiced Coffee

8 servings, 3/4 cup each

Place in filter in brew basket of coffee maker

1/2 cup coffee 

Sprinkle with

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

Add to coffee maker

6 cups cold water

Brew.

When brewing is complete, add

1/4 cup sugar (or brown sugar)

Stir coffee until blended. 

Pour into mugs.
Serve topped with

whipped cream or topping

A dash of

ground cinnamon (or ground nutmeg or unsweetened cocoa powder)