Because some of us have shoveled way more global warming off our sidewalks this winter than we really want to, it is incumbent upon me to share a couple of my favorite drinks for warming up after coming in from the cold – as a public service. Trust me, these are not the same as your mother’s hot cocoa with marshmallows.

HOT TODDY
Double Shot of Crown Royal (or the cheap stuff if you’re not too picky)
1 1/4 oz Real Lemon Concentrate
1 Squirt Vanilla Syrup (it’s not just for lattes any more!)
Fill cup with boiling water

IRISH COFFEE
Double Shot of Bushmills Irish Whisky (no substitutions, please)
1/2 tsp. Sugar
2 Squirts Irish Cream Syrup
Add Fresh Hot Coffee almost to top of cup
Top with real whipped cream (I use one of those fancy cream whipper doohinkies like they use in Starbucks – really makes a difference – honest!)

After two or three of either of these fine concoctions, you’ll find that: a.) Global Warming may not be such a bad thing after all; b.) the oceans are receding and the whole Hope! Change! thing is starting to make sense; and c.) Caroline Kennedy deserves to be coronated correlated color-coded senatored. Whatever.

Enjoy – and stay warm!