Tahitian Coffee

I'm not sure if this recipe is actually something folks drink in Tahiti. But just as Bailey's Irish cream makes regular coffee into Irish hot coffee or Kahlua makes it into Mexican hot coffee, the addition of dark rum certainly makes this drink feel suited to a Tahitian isle.  Serve in place of spiked eggnog, mulled cider, or hot cocoa as you gather with friends and family in the next few days.

Ingredients:

• 2 and 3/4 cups hot strong brewed coffee
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• 1 tablespoon vegan sugar
• 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla non-dairy ice cream
• 4 cinnamon sticks (optional for garnish)

1. In a pitcher or bowl, combine the coffee, rum, and sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

2. Pour 3/4 cup coffee mixture into each of 4 mugs, and top each serving with 2 tablespoons ice cream (I used the soy vanilla from So Delicious).

Cinnamon sticks make a lovely garnish, plus impart a touch of cinnamon flavor to every sip.

Nutrition Info:
4 servings (3/4 cup coffee, 2 tablespoons ice cream), Calories 75

Tasting Notes:
Turns out the key here is the cinnamon stick garnish; the bitter black coffee and strong dark rum would have been too much for me otherwise, but slip the cinnamon stick in and let it infuse the drink with sweet-spicy goodness and you have a fantastic holiday drink. The ice cream melts quickly to become the "cream" in this coffee. Although the initial contrast between hot coffee and frozen ice cream is yummy, the overall effect is that you soon have a tepid beverage. Instead, I recommend Soyatoo's whipped cream, so the coffee doesn't cool down so much. If you do stick with ice cream, I recommend using a full 1/4 cup per serving; the drink is quite strong and black with only 2 tablespoons. But this recipe is still a fun alternative holiday beverage.

Rating:
3

Vegan extra:
Finding great beauty tools can be a little frustrating as a vegan. Luckily, I recently discovered EcoTools, eco-conscious and 100% cruelty-free makeup brushes with no animal bristles.

You can purchase individual brushes, or a cute little set with every tool you need to apply your holiday party face. Bonus points for the adorable carrying pouch made from cotton and hemp.