Although I’m not a huge fan of our long, wet winters, there’s something exciting about anticipating the first rain and enjoying its freshness when it finally falls. There is a coziness about the shorter days too, and building the first fire in the wood stove, that makes the coming of Autumn not completely ominous.

I notice that my tastes change pretty drastically as soon as the weather starts to hint at Fall. Suddenly, just as the first leaves tinge themselves with yellow, I’m drawn to stronger flavors and richer textures. I crave soup and creamy, starchy things like parsnips and mashed potatoes. My sweet tooth changes too, trading frozen treats for deep, dark chocolate truffles, organic coffee and soothing fair-trade tea. Thankfully, the actual turn of the seasons is still some weeks off, which gives me time to enjoy the anticipation of it, and also the last of summers’ bounty.

The nights are getting cooler, but the highs are still in the 80s and 90s here during the days, and I’ve been on a chocolate milk kick. I know that soon enough I’ll be craving warmer fare, so I’ve been taking my time and savoring every sip of these decadent cool and creamy drinks. They’re wonderfully easy to make, too, especially with an immersion blender. (You don’t have to spend big bucks to enjoy the benefits of this handy gadget. Mine was about $20 and is perfectly sufficient for blending liquids – ice-filled smoothies, not so much.) Anyway, back to chocolate milk… Mix your favorite cold, non-dairy milk with a generous portion of drinking chocolate (aka hot cocoa powder) and blend with your immersion wand, or in a regular blender. Add more cocoa or milk to taste, blend again until frothy and enjoy!

What’s your favorite late-summer treat?