In the middle ages, bands of clever peasants traveled door-to-door throughout their neighborhoods singing traditional Christmas songs to the wealthy heads of households and asking the Lord to bestow blessings upon their more fortunate neighbors. In return, the lord of the manor provided the peasants with hearty foods and strong drinks. This practice, known as wassailing, became the basis for the lyrics in the song “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and “Here We Go A’ Wassailing.”
Hearty foods and strong drinks for singing a few lame songs is definitely a tradition I can get behind. With holiday parties lurking right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what to eat and, more importantly, what to drink first. Here are some classic, delicious cocktail and (for those who choose not to imbibe or are not old enough to do so) mocktail recipes that will have you lifting your glass in good cheer:
Hot Drinks
Irish Coffee – This potent drink will warm you to your toes after a long day playing in the snow and makes a great after-dinner drink to enjoy with dessert.
1 ½ ounces Irish whiskey
1 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream
Hot coffee
Whipped cream
Stir the whiskey and the Irish cream into a mug, fill with hot coffee, stirring as you pour. Top with whipped cream. Serves one.
Hot Toddy – A classic hot cocktail that will soothe your throat and open your sinuses, relieving many cold-like symptoms while you curl up by the fire.
1 ½ ounces Irish whiskey, brandy, or rye bourbon
1 Lemon wedge
1 tsp. Honey
Hot water
Pour the spirit into a mug and add a squeeze from the lemon wedge before adding the wedge to the mug, fill to the top with hot water. Fill a teaspoon with honey and stir until it is completely dissolved. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired. Serves one.
Hot Buttered Rum – Who needs to eat dessert when you can drink it?
1 ½ spiced Puerto Rican rum
1 Tbs. brown sugar
2 teaspoons softened butter (do not use margarine, it will not provide the velvety texture)
1 dash ground nutmeg
1 dash ground cinnamon
Hot water
In a large mug, stir together the butter, brown sugar and spices. Stir in the hot water, and pour in the rum, stirring continuously. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired. Serves one.
Cold Drinks
Snow Cosmo – This elegant martini is as pretty as new fallen snow, with the same kick as falling on the ice. (*Note: Chill a martini glass in the freezer before creating a martini, or by allowing ice and cold water to sit in the glass as you create the cocktail)
1 ½ ounces citrus-infused vodka
1 ounces Cointreau or triple sec
1 ½ white cranberry juice
Squeeze of 1 lime wedge
Fresh cranberries to garnish
Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Rim a martini glass with a thin layer of sugar. Shake ingredients until frost appears on shaker and strain into glass. Garnish with a skewer of fresh cranberries. Serves one.
Candy Cane Martini – Chocolate and mint were made for each other, and they add just the right amount of cheer to this decadent martini. (*Note: Chill a martini glass in the freezer before creating a martini, or by allowing ice and cold water to sit in the glass as you create the cocktail)
1 ½ ounces vanilla-infused vodka
1 ½ ounces peppermint schnapps
1 ounce chocolate liqueur
½ ounce half-and-half
1 mini candy cane to garnish
Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake ingredients until frost appears on shaker and strin into a martini glass. Garnish with mini candy cane hooked onto glass rim. Serves one.
Christmas Tree Martini – Bright green, with a sweet side and a tart side to give all your taste buds an early present.
1 ½ ounces green apple schnapps
1 ounce green apple-infused vodka
Small dash of grenadine
Maraschino cherry to garnish
Combine vodkas with ice in a shaker. Pour a small amount of grenadine into the bottom of a martini glass. Shake indredients until frost appears on shaker and strain into glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. Serves one.
Mocktails
Peppermint Patty – Chocolate and mint come together to warm the heart and your toes.
1 standard size peppermint candy cane, finely crushed
Hot chocolate
Whipped cream
Add crushed candy cane to a mug. Pour hot chocolate over the pieces and stir until completely dissolved. Top with whipped cream. Serves one.
Christmas Bells – A festive twist on the classic Shirley Temple. Great for children.
1 ounce grenadine
6-8 ounces lemon-lime soda
3 or 4 green maraschino cherries
3 or 4 red maraschino cherries
Fill a short, old-fashioned glass with ice. Pour grenadine over ice and pour soda over grenadine, stir gently. Garnish with the maraschino cherries. Serves one.
Fauxtini – Gently sparkling, very festive drink with a sweet, fruity taste.
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce orange juice
Splash sweet & sour mix
Small dash grenadine
Lemon-lime soda
Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker except for the soda. Shake until frost appears on shaker and strain into a martini glass. Top off with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a maraschino cherry or an orange wedge if desired. Serves one.
Party Drinks
Mulled Wine – Also known as Gluhwein, hot spiced wine is a classic holiday punch fit for any get together.
1 ½ cups water
1 ½ cups sugar
6 whole cloves
6 cinnamon sticks
3 oranges
3 bottles of red wine, such as shiraz, merlot or pinot noir
Mix water, sugar, spices, wine and the juice of the oranges in a large stockpot on low heat. Heat, but do not boil. Add the orange peel and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes. Serve immediately in preheated mugs. Alternately, you can combine all ingredients in a crockpot on high for 4-6 hours. Serves twelve. Refrigerate leftovers and reheat on stovetop within a day for consumption.
Mulled Cider (Non-Alcoholic) – This delicious warm drink not only warms you, it makes your home smell amazing.
12 cups apple cider
¼ cup orange juice
1 orange peel, cut into strips
1 tsp. packed brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole cloves
2 tsp. allspice
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Combine all ingredients in a large stockpot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 30 minutes. Strain into large mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired. Serves twelve.
Please enjoy this holiday season responsibly. Cheers!
