During the holidays, it’s normal for family members to let loose and celebrate with famous or homemade cocktails and festive drinks. Warm and spicy or cold and creamy, every family’s holiday tradition and customs include a holiday drink. Whether you want to start your own Christmas kitchen tradition, or you want to mix things up with new flavours, it’s always fun to try new things. Here are five holiday drink recipes for every member of the family!
#1: Sandra Lee’s Santa’s Sleigh Cocktail
If you’re looking for a cocktail that offers delicious winter flavours but still packs a punch, the Santa’s Sleigh Cocktail is a great go-to beverage for holiday house parties. We like to think this is a fun spin on the classic eggnog flavour.
What You’ll Need
- White sugar crystals, preferably coarse
- 2 cups store-bought eggnog, chilled
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/2 cup amaretto liqueur
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 4 cinnamon sticks
Directions
- Dampen the rims of 4 martini glasses and then line the rims with sugar crystals.
- Combine eggnog, brandy, amaretto, nutmeg, and ice cream in a blender; process until smooth.
- Pour mixture into martini glasses and garnish each glass with a whole cinnamon stick.
#2: Classic Hot Toddy by Colleen Graham
Do you enjoy spending your holidays all huddled up under the blankets while watching your favourite Christmas movies as the fire blazes close by? If that sounds like an ideal winter evening, a warm hot toddy is a perfect complement.
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 ounces brandy (or whiskey or rum)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice (about 1/4 lemon)
- 1 cup/8 ounces hot water
- 1 tea bag
Directions
- Heat water in a tea kettle or the microwave.
- Once warm, add a tea bag and allow to steep for about 3 to 5 minutes (or according to the tea’s recommended brewing time).
- While brewing the tea, heat your mug or an Irish coffee glass by filling it with warm water.
- Once the glass is warm, dump the water and coat the bottom with honey.
- Add the liquor and squeeze the juice from a lemon quarter.
- When the tea has steeped, pour it into the prepared glass and stir. Enjoy!
#3: Cranberry-Ginger Fizz from Parents Magazine
Sometimes we tend to forget that kids love to take part in celebratory toasts. We’ve found the perfect kid-friendly recipe that offers a gorgeous combination of holiday flavours and the fun carbonation that kids love.
What You’ll Need
- For the ginger syrup
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh ginger root
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 lemon
- For each Cranberry Fizz
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/2 cup seltzer
Directions
- Put the water, ginger and sugar into a saucepan over medium heat. Using a vegetable peeler, peel off the lemon zest in several large strips, avoiding the white pith beneath, and add the zest to the pan. Squeeze the lemon juice into the pan and stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat, cover with a lid, and let sit for 30 minutes. Strain the syrup into a clean container and discard the solids.
- To make each drink, fill a tall glass with ice and add the cranberry juice and seltzer. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the ginger syrup.
#4: Traditional Glögg by Martha Stewart
Old-fashioned glögg may be quite an ancient recipe, but Martha Stewart gives us a delicious blend of spices that are sure to warm you up on a cold winter’s day. Glögg is very similar to mulled wine with cardamom pods, so if you’re a fan of warm spices and citrus, this drink is sure to please.
What You’ll Need
- 15 juniper berries
- 7 green cardamom pods
- 1 bottle (750 mL) red Zinfandel
- 1/4 cup turbinado sugar
- 3 kumquats (halved)
- 1/2 orange (sliced)
- 1/2 Meyer lemon (sliced)
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Grand Marnier or other orange-flavoured liqueur
- Orange or lemon slices, for garnish.
Directions
- Combine juniper berries and cardamom pods in a cheesecloth sachet. Heat Zinfandel, sugar, kumquats, 1/2 orange (sliced), 1/2 Meyer lemon (sliced), and spice sachet over medium heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.
- Remove sachet and fruit; discard. Divide among 6 mugs or heatproof glasses. Stir Grand Marnier or other orange-flavoured liqueur into each. Garnish with orange or lemon slices.
#5: Peppermint Mocha Puppuccino by Tina Jui
When we said these recipes are for everyone, we also meant the furry family members too. Sure, our dogs are spoiled enough as it is. But why not spoil them just a little more with a delicious mug of peppermint mocha puppuccino!
What You’ll Need
- 1 teaspoon carob powder
- 1 handful mint leaves
- 3/4 cup goat’s milk for dogs (175ml) (the author suggests TopLife brand)
- carob powder – for topping
Directions
- In a mug, steep the mint leaves in 1/4 cup boiling water for about 5 minutes. Remove the mint leaves.
- Add the carob powder into the hot water and whisk to dissolve all the powder.
- In a separate cup, heat the goat’s milk in the microwave until warm, about 45 seconds. Check to make sure it is not too hot for your dog. Whisk the milk until it is a bit frothy. Pour the milk into the mug.
- Sprinkle the top with additional carob powder and serve immediately.
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