New Year's Party Drinks - Peppermint Shakes

We tend to stay home on New Year's Eve. In years past, venturing out to a restaurant means encountering crowds and escalated prices. Who needs to take a risk with drunk drivers on the road and the odd Los Angeles area tradition of firing guns in the air with bullets dropping to who knows where. Our dog, who is timid when it comes to loud noises outside, appreciates the company. So we stay home, invite family or friends, eat good food that we've cooked, play games, watch movies, watch the Times Square countdown in NYC, and bang pots and pans outside at midnight. Or sometimes we just go to bed before midnight simply because we feel like it.

This year, I made peppermint milkshakes as the frosty sweet treat of the evening. Not only did they look beautiful for a festive holiday drink, they were delicious.

The recipe served four in coffee mugs. You can adjust it accordingly for the quantity you desire.

Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies

Directions

1. Break up four candy canes and place in blender to crush them to small chunks and powder. Noisy but simple.
2. Add the vanilla ice cream.
3. Add the milk.
4. Blend until smooth.
5. Pour into glasses.
6. Toppings (optional): whip cream, cherry, peppermint candy, candy cane stir stick, red sugar sprinkles, etc.
7. Serve.