Beverages

Adjust the strength of the coffee to suit your taste, using 1 cup of ground beans for milder coffee or 1 1/2 cups for a stronger brew. The recipe calls for chocolate-almond-flavored coffee beans, but go ahead and try any flavor you like.

While sensible proportions are important to some and brand names of gin and vermouth essential to others, the real secret to a fine martini is stirring thoroughly but quickly to prevent the ice cubes from diluting the drink. It must also be served very cold and straight up.

When the use of chocolate became common in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, chocolaterías opened in Madrid, serving hot chocolate to weary voyagers and the homeless. In Spain, the warming elixir is distinguished by the addition of spice, but especially by its rich, frothy texture, achieved by heating and beating it several times. Traditionally, a wooden hand mill called a molinillo is used, but a whisk works as well.