Cheers! to the Holiday Season
sip your way through the holidays with some spirited drink recommendations from the Suwanee Beer Fest and Suwanee Wine Fest team.
WITH THE hustle & bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to forget to unwind and savor the time with friends and family. We’ve got you covered with some festive and downright delicious ways to indulge in some holiday cheer! These standout cocktails will elevate your party from typical to fabulous with just one sip. From a crowd pleaser like spiked eggnog to the more sophisticated Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail, we have something for every occasion
Homemade Eggnog
Eggnog doesn’t have to come from a carton. This delicious homemade Eggnog recipe takes this holiday classic to a new level. Made with simple, everyday ingredients, you’ll be feeling all the holiday vibes as you sip and sing along to your favorite carols.
Ingredients:
■ 6 large egg yolks
■ ½ cup granulated sugar
■ 1 cup heavy whipping cream
■ 2 cups milk
■ ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
■ Pinch of salt
■ ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
■ Ground cinnamon for topping
■ Alcohol, optional, see notes*
Directions:
1) Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl until light and creamy.
2) In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cream, milk, nutmeg and salt. Stir often until mixture reaches a bare simmer.
3) Add a big spoonful of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat, adding a big s poonful at a t ime to temper the eggs.
4) Once most of the hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove.
5) Whisk constantly for a minute or so, until the mixture is just slightly thickened (or until it reaches about 160 degrees F on a thermometer). It will thicken more as it cools.
6) Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, and alcohol*, if using.
7) Pour the eggnog through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher or other container and cover with plastic wrap.
8) Refrigerate until chilled. It will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner, completely smooth consistency, you can add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth.
9) Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg and fresh whipped cream, if desired.
10) Store homemade eggnog in the fridge for up to one week.
*Alcohol: If you want to add alcohol to your eggnog, start with ¼ cup brandy, bourbon, rum or whisky added at the same time as the vanilla, or after cooling the eggnog. Add more to taste, if desired.
Classic Old Fashioned
For a classic holiday cocktail you cannot go wrong with, try the Old Fashioned. Curl up on the couch, put It’s A Wonderful Life on the television, and let this boozy treat take you back to Christmases of long ago.
Ingredients
■ 1 teaspoon sugar
■ 3 dashes Angostura bitters
■ 1 teaspoon water
■ 2 oz. bourbon (or rye whiskey, if preferred)
■ Garnish with an orange twist
Directions:
1) Add the sugar and bitters into a mixing glass, then add the water, and stir
until the sugar is nearly dissolved.
2) Fill the mixing glass with ice, add the bourbon, and stir until well-chilled.
2) Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
2) Express the oil of an orange twist over the glass, then drop into the glass
to garnish.
Champagne Cocktail
Easily add some sophisticated flair to your Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve with this holiday twist to the champagne cocktail. Mixing pomegranate with subtle elderberry, the Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail makes every occasion a celebration.
Ingredients:
■ 1 oz. pomegranate juice
■ 1/2 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liquor
■ 3 oz. sparkling wine
■ Pomegranate seeds and rosemary sprigs for garnish
Directions:
1) Pour the pomegranate juice and
elderflower liquor into a champagne glass. Top with the sparkling wine and stir gently.
2) Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds and rosemary.
3) Serve immediately. Makes 1 drink.
Sugar Cookie Martini
Move aside cookies and cocoa, we present the Sugar Cookie Martini. Elevate your cookie exchange with this salute to Christmas cookie baking.
Ingredients:
■ Vanilla frosting and sprinkles, for rimming the glass
■ 1 ½ oz. vanilla vodka
■ 1 ½ oz. Irish cream
■ 2 oz. whole milk
■ 1 oz. amaretto
■ 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
■ Ice
Directions:
1) Spread the frosting along the rim of a martini glass (you can also dip it into the frosting, if you prefer).
2) Pour the sprinkles into a shallow dish or saucer, and dip the frosting-covered glass into the sprinkles. Set glass aside.
3) In a cocktail shaker, combine the vanilla vodka, Irish cream, milk, amaretto, powdered sugar, and ice.
4) Close the lid and shake for at least 15 seconds to mix and chill.
5) Pour into the prepared glass. Serve immediately.
Notes: If you choose not to rim the martini glass with frosting, add an extra teaspoon of powdered sugar to the cocktail. **Also, let the kiddos join in on the fun. Rim a glass with the cookie frosting and sprinkles and fill with cold milk.
