Comfort Chanukah Drink

Chanukah is one of my favorite holidays!  There's not a lot of requirements, the ritual of the holiday (lighting candles) is at night, and it's very nice and lovely to be around lights (and oily food!).  It's also a tradition to have the chanukah candles lit in a window, visible to many who pass by your window.  These lights not only add more physical light in dark winter skies, but also send a message that this home is a Jewish home, proudly celebrating a moment in Jewish history.

There is another message which I think is worth publicizing along with the lights of the candles, which inspired this Chanukah cocktail.  There is a legend that there was a woman named Judith or Yehudeet (similar name to Judah, like the Maccabee!  Coincidence??  ;)  who helped to lure one of the leaders of the Assyrian army into her tent for some warm milk and cheese.  She was able to then kill him (or have him killed?  ), therefore helping the Maccabees in the war.  There are many stories about Jewish women, but they are not always publicized or even mentioned.  This Chanukah, I am inspired to continue to tell and learn stories of Judith and others who may not have a voice to share their stories.  This cocktail is bright, like the candles of the chanukiah, and it is a dairy drink, perhaps like the drink which Judith gave to the army leader.  May we all be inspired by the lights of Chanukah to tell stories, learn from them, and be comforted by them.

Recipe for Chanukah Comfort Drink:

-2 spoonfulls of white hot chocolate mix (I like the kind from Second Cup, Canada)

-1 shot of chocolate liquor

-optional:  1 shot of peppermint schnapps

-the rest of the mug either with warm milk or with some hot water and some warm milk

Chag Urim V'Sameach!

Happy Chanukah!