Tonight's forecast for Miami is a frigid 64 degrees. Sure, it sounds like nirvana to those of you practically anywhere else on the planet, but if you've lived in Miami all your life -- that's cold for denizens of the sub-tropics.

Add in a record outbreak of the flu, and that means tonight is a great night for ordering in a pizza, checking out the 'ole pay-per-view and preparing something warm and soothing for the soul. We are talking about getting crocked.

Look in your kitchen cupboards right now. Chances are there's an old Crock-Pot in the back. It's probably a birthday/graduation/wedding/housewarming gift from your Aunt Mildred. You might have made chili or cheese dip in it once or twice and relegated it to the back of a closet. We've got a brand new use for that baby -- the Crocktail!

Milagros tequila brand ambassadors Jamie Salas and Gaston Martinez have

come up with three warm cocktails that can be made in a Crock-Pot.

Salas told Short Order that he loves these drinks because they're all

easy to make. "Essentially, you put most of the ingredients into the

Crock-Pot or Saucepan, heat, and serve."

The drinks are soothing, delicious, and perfect to warm you up on a chilly evening.

We

made the Milagro Hot Cider, which filled the entire house with the

scents of apples and spices. Each recipe calls for Milagro tequila but

would probably work just as well with a favorite rum.

Best of

all? Since Crock-Pots are portable, you can make a batch and take it

over to a friends house. Beats a pot of chicken soup any day!

Continue for Crock-Pot cocktail recipes...

Milagro Hot Cider

1 1/2 part Milagro Anejo tequila

3/4 parts Snap

(gingersnap) or other spicy spirit
1/4 parts lemon juice

3 Parts apple cider

10 lemon rounds

6 cinnamon sticks

Peel from half of one orange
Nutmeg, star anise to taste

1. Combine ingredients into a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil and transfer to Crock-Pot to simmer.

Oaxaca Chakas (Hot Chocolate)

2 parts Milagro Anejo

tequila

3/4 parts agave nectar

1 part heavy whipping cream

2 parts milk

1 part Oaxacan chocolate powder

Freshly whipped cream

1. On medium heat, combine all ingredients except for the whipped cream, stirring casually until the mixture comes to a boil.
2. Transfer to Crock-Pot and simmer.
3. Serve each cup with a cinnamon stick.

Pumpkin Smash

1/2 part Milagro Reposado

tequila

3/4 parts Licor 43

or other sweet or vanilla-flavored liqueur.

1/2 parts Maple Syrup

1 tbls pumpkin pie filling

3 parts water

1. Bring to a boil and transfer to Crock-Pot to simmer.
2. Garnish individual servings with whipped cream and cinnamon dust.

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• Cocktails and Spirits