4 Drinks To Get You In The Holiday Spirit

4-drinks-to get you in the holiday spirit

The holidays are a time to come together and enjoy the company of loved ones by sharing great food and drinks. There’s a CIA holiday-inspired drink for everyone. Are you in the mood for something warm on a cold winter’s night? Try the Banana Hot Chocolate! Looking for something rich to go along with your holiday cookies? Try the Holiday Eggnog recipe! Are you ready to introduce a new cocktail to your holiday menu? Try the Mulled Wine or Sparkling Holiday Punch!

 

Sparkling Holiday Punch

sparkling-holiday-punch-recipe-f

Ingredients

Makes 1 Serving

  • 3/4 ounce Canton Ginger Liqueur, or similar
  • 1.5 ounces tangerine juice
  • Dash of Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters
  • 2 cranberries (they float, it’s fun!)
  • 3 ounces dry sparkling wine

Directions

  1. Into a flute or wine glass, add all ingredients.
  2. Recipe may be adjusted for quantity.
  3. A note on the bitters: with so many artisan bitters on the market right now, you can be confident in adding your favorite here. Anything with citrus or warm baking spices will fit the bill.

Maple Eggnog Mocktail

Holiday Cocktails and Mocktails EggNog image

This holiday mocktail is perfect for enjoying alone by the fire. It’s equally delicious when you increase the recipe and serve it in a punch bowl to your party guests. To save time, the eggnog can be made the day before.

Makes one drink

 

3 tablespoons pasteurized egg yolk

4 ounces milk

2 ounces cream

1 tablespoon maple syrup

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

3 tablespoons pasteurized egg whites, whipped

 

Place egg yolks, milk, cream, maple syrup, spices, and egg whites into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for approximately 10 seconds. Strain into a glass. Garnish with ground nutmeg on top.

 

Maple EggNog Cocktail Twist

To make a cocktail version of this drink, you may add one of a variety of liquors—such as rum or bourbon—to the recipe.

Easy Mulled Wine

740x540_f_mulled wine

Ingredients

Makes 4 Servings

  • 1/2 bottle of red wine, approximately 1 1/2 to 2 cups
  • 1 lemon, peel removed (without pith) and set aside, and juiced
  • 1 small orange or mandarin, peel removed (without pith) and set aside, and juiced
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 4 cloves
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 ounce brandy
  • Sugar or honey, to taste

Directions

  1. Combine wine, brandy, citrus peels, juices, and spices in a small saucepan and heat gently until aromatic and simmering. Do not boil, and be careful to not ignite the alcohol over an open flame.
  2. Strain through a small mesh strainer into mugs and enjoy. Larger batches can be made using a slow cooker and a tea strainer to hold the spices.

Banana Hot Chocolate

banana-hot-chocolate-recipe-f

Ingredients

Makes four 6-ounce servings

  • 3 very ripe bananas
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half
  • 4 cloves
  • 5 cardamom pods (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Cut up the bananas into small pieces and place them into a heavy-bottomed pot with the milk, half-and-half, cloves, cardamom pods, nutmeg, and cinnamon stick. While stirring gently, bring the contents to a very low simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, making sure to gently stir the mixture every several minutes to ensure the milk does not scorch.
  2. Remove the pot from the heat and strain the contents through a fine-meshed strainer. Use a ladle or a spoon to push as much banana as possible through the strainer with the liquid.
  3. Pour the strained mixture back into the pot, place it over very low heat, and bring to a very low simmer. Add the chocolate and vanilla extract and stir until the chocolate is dissolved.
  4. Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and top with either whipped cream or marshmallows.