When you do all your special holiday entertaining, you will want to treat your friends and family to something special. So – instead of just offering beer, wine and the traditional cocktails,try these:
Pomegranate Martini:
Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of sugar; bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and let cool in a large pitcher.
Combine this syrup with 3/4 cup of vodka, 1/2 cup of pomegranate juice 1/3 cup of fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup of Cointreau.
Add 2 cups of ice and stir until well chilled
Strain into chilled martini glasses and garnish with a lime slice
Mulled Wine with Cranberries
Directions:
In a large saucepan, combine 1-1/2 cups of cranberry juice cocktail, 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks and 2 pieces of star anise – simmer for 15 minutes
Stir in 3 cups of red wine (dry) and 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries
Bring to a simmer
Serve warm
Apple Brandy Cordial:
Directions:
In a large pitcher, combine 3/34 cup of brandy, 1/2 cup of apple juice, 1/3 cup of Cointreau, 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of Agostura bitters
Serve over ice, garnish with apple slices
Easy Blender Eggnog:
Directions:
In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg – bring to simmer
In a blender, blend 4 eggs on a low speed for 1 minute
With the blender motor running, gradually add the hot cream mixture, blend until frothy – about 30 seconds
Add 3/4 cup of brandy and blend to combine
Serve warm and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg
Rum and Grapefruit Spritzer:
Directions:
Place 1 tablespoon of kosher salt on a small plate – rub the rims of 4 glasses with grapefruit wedge and then dip the rims of 4 glasses in the salt to coat.
In a large pitcher, combine 2 cups of fresh pink grapefruit juice, 1 cup of ginger ale or ginger beer and 1/4 cup of light rum.
Serve over ice in prepared glasses, garnish with candied ginger slice.
Rosemary, Grape and Gin Cocktail:
Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of sugar, 4 rosemary springs and bring to a simmer
Remove from heat and let cool
Strain the sugar syrup into a large pitcher and combine with 1 cup of Concord grape juice, 3/4 cup of gin, 1/2 cup of soda and 14 cup od fresh lemon juice
Serve over ice and garnish with rosemary spring and grapes
Lemony Gin Punch:
Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar – bring to a simmer, then remove from heat
Stir in 1/4 cup of honey and let cool
In a large pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with 1 cup of club soda, 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice and 3/4 cup of gin
Serve over ice and garnish with lemon wedge
Orange Mango Fizz:
Directions:
Place 1 tablespoon of sugar on a small plate, rub the rims of 4 champagne flutes with orange wedge and dip the rims in the sugar to coat.
In a large pitcher, combine 2-12 cups of sparkling wine, 3/4 cup of mango nectar and 1 teaspoon orange bitters
Serve in the prepared flutes, garnish with a twist of orange zest
Chili Spiced Bloody Mary:
Directions:
In a large pitcher, combine 3 cups of tomato juice, 3/4 cups of vodka, 2/3 cup of fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of prepared horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of habanero pepper hot sauce and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Serve over ice, garnish with a celery stalk and sliced pickled jalapenos.
Chartreuse and Lime Cocktail:
Directions:
In a large pitcher, combine 1/2 cup of light rum, 1/3 cup of green Chartreuse and 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice.
Serve over crushed ice, garnish with maraschino cherry.
Hope you will enjoy these holiday cheers – and please – remember to drink responsibly!
