For us central New Yorkers, winter is still going strong. Need I remind you that there is a good month or more of cold weather ahead of us? If the winter weather is getting you down, create a hot drink made with milk to warm your body and soul. You'll be well on your way to meeting the goal of three servings a day of milk, cheese or yogurt.

To begin any recipe for real hot chocolate, heat one cup of chocolate milk in a 2-cup microwave-safe glass measuring cup. For each of the variations below, stir the listed ingredients into the milk, while it's still in the measuring cup.

Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, until heated. Stir carefully before serving in a mug.

Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate: thoroughly mix in 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter.

Strawberry Hot Chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons strawberry milk-flavoring powder or syrup and 1/2 teaspoon honey.

Turtle Hot Chocolate: Spoon 1 tablespoon caramel ice cream topping and 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup into milk.

Minty Hot Chocolate: Add 8 miniature chocolate-covered mint patties, quartered, to the milk before heating. Mix well.

If you're not a chocolate fan, try “hot vanilla” or “hot cinnamon” - just boil a whole vanilla bean or a cinnamon stick with milk.

For a twist on traditional hot chocolate, try these fancy milk steamers or lattes, with flavors for every palate!

The following steps work for each recipe, with additional steps in a few cases:

Pour syrup into 20-ounce chilled stainless steel pitcher. Add cold milk, then steam.

If using stovetop, heat syrup and milk in saucepan over medium-low heat; do not boil. If using microwave, heat syrup and milk in large, shallow bowl for 2 to 3 minutes.

Use whisk rapidly until milk is airy and frothed. Serve in mug.

Traditional Milk Steamer:

3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) almond (orgeat) syrup

1 cup 1 percent low-fat or fat-free milk

Chocolate Framboise Steamer:

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) chocolate syrup

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) raspberry syrup

1 cup 1 perecent lowfat or fat-free milk

Blackberry Cobbler Steamer:

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) blackberry syrup

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) vanilla syrup

1 cup 1 percent low-fat or fat-free milk

Mint Patty Steamer:

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) chocolate syrup

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) mint syrup

1 cup 1 percent low-fat or fat-free milk

Hazelnut Cafe Au Lait:

1 1#/2 tablespoons (3#/4 ounce) hazelnut syrup or Nutella

1 cup 1 percent low-fat or fat-free milk

2/3 cup brewed coffee

Ground cinnamon

Simply blend the finished steamer with the coffee and garnish with the cinnamon.

Caramel Apple Latte:

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) caramel syrup

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) apple syrup

1 cup 1 percent low-fat or fat-free milk

1 shot of espresso

Add the espresso shot after completing the above steps.

Chilled Banana Latte:

1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) hazelnut syrup or Nutella

2 tablespoons (1 ounce) banana syrup

1 cup 1 percent low-fat of fat-free milk

1 shot of espresso

Ice cubes

Add the espresso shot and pour over ice after completing the above steps.

Cherry Cheesecake Steamer:

1 cup 1 percent low-fat or fat-free milk

2 tablespoons (1 ounce) cheesecake syrup

1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) cherry syrup

By warming milk on the stove for any of these recipes, some of the water evaporates while simmering and the milk will taste richer.

So, next time you are looking for something to warm you up on a chilly winter evening, be sure to add milk to your favorite recipes.

Its powerful combination of nutrition and taste can't be beat!

Molly O'Hara is the Cayuga County Dairy Princess.