Cocktail crowd feels a chill in the air

•  1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream, softened
•  1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for serving (optional)
•  1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Pinch of ground cloves
•  1/4 cup bourbon (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Puree until smooth. Pour into glasses, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve immediately.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 271 calories, 10 grams fat, 32 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams protein, 39 milligrams cholesterol, 75 milligrams sodium, 3 grams dietary fiber, 38 percent of calories from fat.

•  3/4 cup whole milk
• 2 cups ice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 7 hot chocolate ice cubes (recipe follows)
• Lightly sweetened whipped cream, for serving

In a blender, combine milk, ice, sugar and hot chocolate ice cubes. Blend until smooth and slushy-like. Serve in a chilled glass and dollop with lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Nutritional analysis per serving, entire recipe: 250 calories, 12 grams fat, 35 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams protein, 21 milligrams cholesterol, 78 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber, 39 percent of calories from fat.

This recipe makes more ice cubes than needed for two servings of frozen hot chocolate. Freeze in trays and transfer cubes to zip-top plastic bags to have on hand anytime a chocolate craving hits you.

• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 2 cups whole milk
•  1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
•  1/4 cup sugar

1. In a small saucepan, whisk together chocolate, milk, cocoa and sugar over medium heat until chocolate is melted and sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.

2. Use a liquid measure or small pitcher to pour chocolate mixture evenly among two ice cube trays. Freeze, uncovered, at least 4 hours and up to 3 days. Transfer to zip-top bags and store up to 3 weeks.

Nutritional analysis per ice cube: 50 calories, 2 grams fat, 7 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram protein, 2 milligrams cholesterol, 9 milligrams sodium, trace dietary fiber, 42 percent of calories from fat.

• 1 ounce chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Hot espresso shot (1  1/2 ounces)
• 2 ounces chilled vodka
• Heavy cream

1. Combine chocolate and sugar in a cocktail shaker. Pour espresso shot over chocolate mixture; stir until smooth. Add vodka and a few ice cubes. Shake vigorously several times, then strain into a chilled martini glass.

2. Spoon over top a few tablespoons of heavy cream that's been whipped just until silky and thick; stir with a toothpick to create streaks. Serve immediately.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 296 calories, 16 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams protein, no cholesterol, 5 milligrams sodium, trace dietary fiber, 70 percent of calories from fat.