Nutella White Russian

I have a confession to make. There was a time in my life when I did not like Nutella.

To me, the chocolate and hazelnut spread that drives everyone into frenzied exuberance just tasted like frosting that someone ruined by adding nuts to it.

But then on a whim, I mixed it with peanut butter on my morning toast. And I saw the light. I will now admit to having eaten Nutella straight from the jar with a spoon. I am not ashamed.

This drink is like chocolate milk for grownups. There isn't any actual Nutella in it [I thought that would turn into a chunky sludgy mess] but all the flavors are there. The hazelnut Frangelico, chocolate sauce and half & half form a most deliciously creamy Nutella flavored libation.

I cut my half & half with milk because I wasn't into the idea of just sitting down and drinking a glass of half & half. But feel free to go with a higher half & half to milk ratio if that's your style. It would also be easy to make dairy free with soymilk or - I bet even yummier - almond milk!

Nutella White Russian

Ingredients:

1.5 shots Frangelico

.5 shot vodka

.5 shot chocolate syrup

1 shot half & half

ice

milk

hazelnut pirouette cookies [optional]

1. Mix the Frangelico, vodka, chocolate syrup and half & half in a tumbler. Add a few ice cubes and top off with milk. Stir thoroughly and garnish with a cookie.