Christmas, Cranberry, and Cocktails
In the midst of all of the holiday hustle and bustle, there comes a time when the gifts are ready, family and friends are in town, and we’re ready to slow down the hectic pace of life. Making and sharing great drinks and cocktails is the perfect way to unwind and catch up with our loved ones.
The flavors of the holidays offer cranberry, cinnamon, peppermint, and warm chocolates.
Share these 7 holiday cocktails and drink recipes with your family and friends. We even added the kid favorite, Grinch Punch!
Cranberry
This year the mighty cranberry is featured in so many amazing drinks. Give one or all of these cocktails a try! And give any leftover cranberries to the kids to string and put on the tree.
Cranberry Mimosa: Delicious for the Christmas Morning Breakfast. Simply mix Cranberry Juice with Sparkling White Wine or Champagne. Add a little green sugar around the rim for a festive treat.
- Use 8 oz Cranberries and smack 10 Mint Leaves on your hand to release the flavors.
- Mull leaves and a few cranberries with 1 tbsp Lime juice and 1 cup Sugar.
- Add 2 oz Rum and 1 part Seltzer water. Combine and pour over ice and cranberries.
Cranberry Sangria: Serves 6-8.
- 8 oz Cranberries
- 14 oz Cranberry juice
- 150 ml Cranberry vodka
- 750 ml Sweeter red wine
- 10 oz Club soda
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar, white
Cinnamon and Apples
Spiked Apple Cider: Apple Cider with Smirnoff Kissed Caramel Vodka. Add a cinnamon stick as desired.
Honey Applecrisp Sangria: This spin to the traditional sangria. The brandy complements the wine, apples and apple cider.
Hot Chocolate
Crock Pot Hot Chocolate: Serves 8. Perfect for Christmas Eve or start the night before and have it ready for Christmas morning!
Ideal slow cooker size: 3 qt
Ingredients:
- 12 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 7 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup dry baking cocoa
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Marshmallows, as many as you want (plain, mint or gingerbread marshmallows)
Directions:
- In crock-pot combine milk, water and vanilla.
- Add dry cocoa and salt, stir until smooth. Note, warm milk will incorporate the cocoa better.
- Cover and cook on high 2 hours or on low for 4 hrs or until very hot.
- Serve and top each serving with marshmallows, whipped cream and/or a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.
Kid-Friendly
Grinch Punch: Combine the following into a punch bowl or pitcher and serve.
Ingredients:
- 2 Liter Lemon Lime Soda
- Lime Sherbet (scoop enough to fill 1/3 of the pitcher or bowl)
- 2 Limes, sliced
