As Christmas grows near and loved ones gather together, celebration is in order. Adorn your holiday table with these beautiful, festive cocktails that are as delicious to the palate as they are to the eye.
Rather than preparing individual drinks for each party guest, offer a holiday punch. After you serve the first glass, guests can help themselves and you will be free to mingle among friends.
HOLIDAY SANGRIA PUNCH
Makes about 1 gallon
1 quart cranberry juice
1 quart pomegranate juice 1 (6-ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 cup orange liqueur*
1 (750-milliliter) bottle sparkling wine*
Garnish: pomegranate arils, frozen cranberries, lemon slices
1. In a large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, and pink lemonade concentrate. Add liqueur and sparkling wine. Garnish with pomegranate arils, frozen cranberries, and lemon slices, if desired. Serve immediately.
*For a non-alcoholic version, omit liqueur and substitute sparkling grape juice for sparkling wine.
A Christmas classic, this eggnog is creamy and decadent. A spicy platter of gingerbread cookies is the perfect compliment to this seasonal sip.
EGGNOG
4 cups plain almond milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 whole cloves
2 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract
9 egg yolks
1 1⁄2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1⁄2 cups Bourbon or rum
1 cup whipped topping
Garnish: ground cinnamon
1. In a medium saucepan, combine milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla. Cook mixture over medium-low heat, stirring often, until milk begins to boil; remove from heat.
2. In a large bowl, beat yolks and sugar with a mixer at high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to medium-low; with mixer running, gradually add hot milk mixture to egg mixture. Pour mixture back into saucepan, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to let mixture boil. Remove from heat; strain and discard solids.
3. Chill for at least 4 hours. Stir in rum. Whisk in whipped topping. Garnish with ground cinnamon, if desired. Serve immediately.
*For a non-alcoholic version, omit Bourbon or rum.
