Spiced Coffee

Mr. Vittles and I just returned from a fabulous ski weekend in Lake Placid, New York with another couple.

 Kristen, Chris, Mr. V, and myself

Not that I actually did any skiing.  I spent most of my time shopping, spa-ing, and eating with Kristen (remember her delicious warm potato salad?) while our husbands went off to the mountain.

Normally I hate the cold & snow, but I must admit that the setting was so beautiful and serene.  Here is what our hotel, the Whiteface Lodge, looks like from the outside.

 ©2010 The Whiteface Lodge

Not to mention our suite was amazing and incredibly cozy.  This was exactly what our living room looked like:

©2010 The Whiteface Lodge

Seriously, I might have moved in if they let me.  And I have no doubts that it would have been a marvelous few weeks, before my life savings were drained and I was thrown out of the hotel... penniless, but thoroughly relaxed.

 the hotel's beautiful christmas tree

So in the spirit of winter fun and warm drinks sipped by the fire, I wanted to share this coffee with you.  Mr. V says its like mulled apple cider in coffee-form.  If you are not a fan of citrus, just leave out the orange zest.

Spiced Coffee

• 8 T. ground coffee (freshly ground is best)
• 2 t. ground cinnamon
• 1 t. ground nutmeg
• 1 t. ground cloves
• 1/4 t. freshly grated orange zest 

Fill coffee maker with enough water for 8 cups (using measurements on your pot, not a measuring cup).  Fill coffee filter with ground coffee, then add spices & zest.  Brew per manufacturer's instructions.  Yields 8 cups (the number of servings depends on how much you put in your mugs).

Recipe slightly adapted from Food Network's Anne Thorton