‘Tis the Friday before Christmas and all through the house, there’s still work to be done with a wireless mouse. But even with all the hustle and bustle of the season, there’s time yet for happy hour and time well spent with friends and family. And since no good holiday story ever began over a kale salad, here are a few holiday cocktail ideas to make holiday spirits bright.
Cranberry Mimosas
1 cup cranberry juice
1 bottle champagne or prosecco
Fresh cranberries
Fresh mint for garnish
Mix juice and champagne in a pitcher. Serve with cranberries and a sprig of mint on top. Serves 4.
Christmas Sangria
I love making sangria any time of the year. It’s an easy concoction to mix and is easily customizable to your own preferences and ingredients on hand. This recipe has a bit of a holiday twist.
2 Granny Smith apples, chopped
2-3 Cuties mandarin oranges, peeled and pulled apart into slices
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1 cup fresh cranberries1 L bottle of red wine (I recommend Cabernet or Merlot)
1 cup sparkling white grape juice or lemon-lime soda
2 ounces brandy or cognac (optional)
Mix all ingredients in a pitcher. Pour in wine glasses over desired amount of ice. Serves 8-ish.
Eggnog
It is my opinion that eggnog is a drink that needs a little assistance to be truly delicious, otherwise it’s a bit too rich. A nice addition to lattes, with the addition of rum or other liquor of choice, it’s even better. I personally like it best with a mixture of spirits, which you can adjust to your taste.
8 ounce eggnog
1 ounce whiskey or bourbon
1 ounce spiced rum1/2 ounce cognac
Pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon
Other drink ideas:
A holiday favorite in the Haasienda kitchen is Bailey’s Irish Cream mixed with, well practically anything. We mix a shot (or two or three) of Bailey’s with hot chocolate or hot coffee for an added creamy punch. Another delicious add-in to hot chocolate is Hot Damn! Cinnamon Schnapps. I shouldn’t admit this, but I survived a few college calculus classes on this mix. Peppermint schnapps is also great in hot cocoa or mochas topped with whipped cream and chopped peppermint bark. And of course, a favorite wine or craft beer are also good accompaniments to Christmas luncheon.
Here’s to another Christmas season, and wrapping gifts at 11 pm on Christmas Eve with the aforementioned bottle of wine. Cheers!
The Cranky Camper 