19 December 2023
As a good host, when you have people in your home, you offer them some sort of liquid refreshment. At this time of the year there are many choices, some of which will work through the long, cold winter months.
Gingerbread Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons coarsely grated ginger
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup crushed gingerbread cookies
- 2 tablespoons vanilla ice cream
- 1 ounce Irish cream
- 1 ounce vodka
- ½ ounce Kahlua
Directions:
- Syrup, which can be made in advance: In a small saucepan bring ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and 1 ½ cups water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is reduced by half. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool and strain into a small bowl.
- Prepare glasses: Place crushed cookies on a shallow plate. Pour syrup onto another shallow plate. Dip rim of a martini glass into the syrup and then cookies.
- In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine ice cream, Irish cream, vodka, Kahlua, and ½ ounce syrup. Cover and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is frosty.
- Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a small gingerbread cookie.
Christmas Punch
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ ounces light rum, optional
- ½ ounce cranberry juice
- ¼ ounce tart cherry juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 ounces ginger ale
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients except ginger ale into a shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a glass over ice. Top with ginger ale and stir gently.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of ground ginger.
Naughty or Nice
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces chardonnay
- 3 ounces pinot noir
- 2 ounces cognac
- 2 ounces maraschino liqueur
- 4 ounces ginger ale
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients into a large punch bowl with a block of ice.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
Grinch Punch
Ingredients:
- 2 packets (.13 ounces each) unsweetened lemon-lime Kool-Aid
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 can (12 ounces) pineapple juice
- 1 can (12 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
- ½ liter lemon-lime soft drink
Directions:
- Pour 2 quarts of water into a punch bowl or gallon pitcher.
- Add Kool-Aid mix and sugar. Stir until dissolved.
- Add pineapple juice and lemonade. Stir well.
- Just before serving add soft drink.
- Optional: serve in glasses rimmed with red sanding sugar
Pomegranate Sparkler
Ingredients:
- 6 cups pomegranate juice
- 3 cups orange juice
- 1 ½ cups lime juice
- 6 cups sparking water or lemon-lime soft drink
Directions:
- Fill punch bowl with ice to about 1/3 capacity. Combine juices and stir well to combine.
- Add to the bowl and add water or soft drink.
- Serve garnished with lime slices, orange slices, frozen cranberries, fresh mint, or fresh rosemary.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
Ingredients:
- 2 quarts apple juice or cider
- 1 quart cranberry juice (100% juice)
- 1 small orange
- 3 inches fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon cloves
- 5 or 6 cinnamon sticks
Directions:
- Combine apple and cranberry juices in a slow cooker.
- Slice the orange. Peel and slice ginger into rounds. Place cloves in a tea baller. Add all these plus cinnamon sticks to the juice mix.
- Cook on low for six hours or on high for three hours. Turn to warm during the party.
- Serve each with a garnish of an orange slice or few cranberries.
