It is officially the holiday season!!!
The temperatures may not agree, but it is time for bonfires, matching pj’s, pictures with Santa, all things peppermint, holiday markets and parties. Cue Mariah Carey.
This also means it is time for us to retire our summer beverages and discover some beverages that give us the warm and fuzzies and put us in the holiday spirit. While eggnog is a classic and a favorite of mine, there is absolutely no reason to waste time making it from scratch, unless that’s your thing. You can go in any store and find tons of variations of this beloved drink. I decided to share some new mock/cocktails to jazz up your holidays.
Apple – Ginger Moscow Mule
This is a great take on the traditional Moscow Mule. The pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg gives a nod to the holidays.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces apple cider
- ½ ounce lime juice
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Ice cubes
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- Apple slice, cinnamon stick & lime wedge for garnish
Directions
Combine cider, lime juice, cinnamon and nutmeg in chilled copper mug or glass. Add ice cubes and top with ginger beer. Stir to combine. Garnish with an apple slice, a cinnamon stick and a lime wedge if desired.
Add vodka for an extra kick!
Sparkling Winter Berry Cocktail
This drink is perfect for a holiday brunch. This sparkly concoction can definitely jazz up any event all year round.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of cranberry juice
- 2 cups of apple juice
- 1/3 cup strawberry flavored syrup (grenadine will work just fine)
- ¾ to 1 liter of Prosecco or Champagne
- Water and sugar for rimming the glasses (optional)
- Fresh or frozen berries for garnish
Directions
Add the cranberry juice, apple juice and strawberry syrup to a large pitcher and stir well until combined.
Rim glasses with sugar by moistening the rim of the glass with water and then dipping the rim of the glass in sugar.
Fill each glass half full with the juice mixture and add a few berries to each glass as well.
Top it off with Prosecco or Champagne.
Substitute sparkling water, ginger ale, 7up/Sprite to make it little people friendly.
Spiked Butterscotch Hot Chocolate
I imagine sipping on this while sitting in front of a fire making S’mores.
Ingredients
- Any hot chocolate mix
- 2% milk
- Dekuyper Butterscotch Liqueur
- Whipped cream
- Shaved Chocolate
- Marshmallows (optional)
Directions
Heat milk. Add hot chocolate mix and stir until dissolved. Add butterscotch liqueur and mix.
Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate and marshmallows
Omit the Butterscotch Liqueur if you wish.
Coconut-based Coquito
This drink is very reminiscent of eggnog but uses coconut milk and plant milk.
Ingredients
- 1 – 12.2 ounce can of evaporated coconut milk
- 1 – 15 ounce can of coconut cream
- 2 – 7.4-ounce cans of coconut condensed milk
- 1 – ½ cup of white rum
- ½ cup plain unsweetened plant milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Garnish: 1 cinnamon stick and sprinkle of cinnamon
Directions
Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend at a high speed until completely combined ensuring that the coconut cream is totaling incorporated (about 1-2 minutes).
Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour. It will thicken as it chills. Serve with a cinnamon stick for garnish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend at a high speed until completely combined ensuring that the coconut cream is totaling incorporated (about 1-2 minutes).
Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour. It will thicken as it chills. Serve with a cinnamon stick for garnish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
I hope you find these recipes helpful and will incorporate them into your holiday festivities. May your days be Merry and Bright!
