In a previous article, I shared various Christmas party punch recipes that can either be spiked for adults only or they can be kept kid-friendly and have the alcohol out of them. Well, that got me thinking about cocktails that are widely enjoyed this time of year by adults everywhere! Here is what I found!
#4 Most popular: Hot Buttered Rum
(thanks to www.foodnetwork.com)
I have never tried this particular holiday beverage but I wouldn’t rule it out if someone offered me one. I may even make it myself with the recipe below!
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch salt
- 3/4 cup spiced rum
- 2 cups boiling water
- 4 sticks cinnamon, for garnish
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl until blended and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a 4-cup (or larger) measuring cup. Add the rum and then 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until the butter mixture dissolves. Divide the buttered rum among 4 mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and serve.
#3 Most Popular: Mulled Wine
(thanks to www.gimmesomeoven.com)
I have not tried mulled wine but I am a wine lover! I definitely plan to try this recipe during my next holiday gathering!
Ingredients
- 1 (750 ml) bottle of dry red wine
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds (also peeled, if you would like a less-bitter drink)
- 8 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-star anise
- 2–4 tablespoons sugar, honey, or maple syrup to taste (or your desired sweetener)
- optional add-in: 1/4 cup brandy (or your favorite liqueur)
- optional garnishes: citrus slices (orange, lemon and/or lime), extra cinnamon sticks, extra star anise
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. Add wine, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, 2 tablespoons sweetener, and brandy to a large saucepan. Stir briefly to combine.
- Simmer. Cook the mulled wine on medium-high heat until it just barely reaches a simmer. (Avoid letting it bubble — you don’t want to boil off the alcohol.) Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours.
- Strain. Using a fine-mesh strainer, remove and discard the orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Give the mulled wine a taste, and stir in extra sweetener if needed.
- Serve. Serve warm in heatproof mugs, topped with your favorite garnishes.
#2 Most Popular: The Classic Old Fashioned
(thanks to www.allrecipes.com)
I have tried a version of an old fashioned in the past and I can say that it isn’t my cup of tea. However, I know a lot of people (including my husband) who would love it!
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup
- 1 teaspoon water
- 2 dashes bitters
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger bourbon whiskey
- 1 slice orange
- 1 maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Pour the simple syrup, water, and bitters into a whiskey glass. Stir to combine, then place the ice cubes in the glass. Pour bourbon over the ice and garnish with the orange slice and maraschino cherry.
#1 Most Popular: The Ultimate Eggnog Recipe
(thanks to www.liquor.com)
I have never been a fan of eggnog, spiked or not. This recipe caught my attention because it tells you how to make your own eggnog and not simply buy a carton of eggnog and a bottle of rum. This is yet another recipe that I will likely be making for my husband or guests but you’ll find me with the mulled wine!
Ingredients
- 1 Grated nutmeg
- 6 Eggs, separated
- 3⁄4 cup sugar, divided
- 32 oz Whole milk
- 16 oz Heavy cream
- 8 oz Bourbon
- 4 oz Spiced rum
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat together the egg yolks and half a cup of sugar until they turn light in color.
- Stir in the milk, heavy cream, bourbon, and rum.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining quarter-cup of sugar until they form soft peaks.
- Fold about a third of the egg whites into the yolk mixture.
- Serve in punch or teacups topped with freshly grated nutmeg, folding in more of the egg whites as desired.
