When summer days give way to autumn crispness and the first snows of winter, falling temperatures send you searching for thick sweaters and woolly hats. But nothing warms you down to the soul like a steaming mug of hot chocolate or spicy mulled cider.

HOT DRINKS presents fifty recipes for delicious coffees, teas, chocolates, ciders, punches, and cocktails to sip in front of a crackling fire or heat up holiday get-togethers. You'll find a toasty pick-me-up for every frosty occasion, including classics like Hot Buttered Rum, Cafe con Leche, and Moroccan Mint Tea, as well as new twists on old favorites like Snowflake Vanilla White Chocolate, Hot Wasabi Red Snapper, and West Indies Pineapple Cup.

Featuring a festive collection of 50 hot drink recipes for fall and winter holiday entertaining, more than 30 full-color photographs, and including both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, these easy-to-mix, cold-weather warmers are guaranteed to chase away the winter chills.

Robert J. Heiss and his wife, Mary Lou--who is also the author of Green Tea--have owned and operated Cooks Shop Here, a purveyor of fine tea and other specialty food products, since 1974. When not traveling to source teas and other ingredients for their shop, they make their home in western Massachusetts, where Robert's lively food radio program can be heard each week. The Heisses's deep respect for and passionate interest in artisan food products, traditional foods, and the history and evolution of world cuisines bring a global perspective to their work.