As the holiday season approaches, so do many festive celebrations. I always find myself getting invited to holiday-themed pot lucks and never knowing what exactly to bring. On top of that, I don’t always feel like cooking. These holiday drinks are my solution. They are a perfect addition to any winter festivity. They’re simple to make, require very little effort and are still delicious.
They are also all non-alcoholic, so anyone and everyone can enjoy them. For those of you 21-and-over who feel inclined, try adding Fireball to the eggnog and a splash of regular whiskey into the spiced cider — some of us can use that extra kick to make this season a little more bearable. But however you celebrate this holiday season, I hope you’re doing so with one of these drinks in hand and a smile on your face.
Eggnog
What you need:
6 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 pinch of salt
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 quart of 2 percent milk
1 pinch of ground nutmeg
What to do:
1. Beat eggs, stir in with condensed milk, quart of milk, vanilla, salt and nutmeg.
2. Beat whipping cream until small soft peaks form. Next slowly mix in egg mixture until smooth. Serve chilled.
Be cautious when consuming raw eggs, as there is a slight risk of salmonella or other food-borne illnesses.
Apple Sparkler Punch
What you need:
2/3 cup raspberry juice blend (chilled)
sliced orange wedges
sliced lime wedges
750 milliters sparkling apple-pear juice (chilled)
What you do:
1. In a large bowl, pour raspberry juice and apple-pear cider. Next, add sliced oranges and limes.
2. Serve punch style, with large spoon.
Cinnamon-Vanilla White Hot Chocolate
What you need:
3 cups of half and half
3/4 cup of white chocolate bar
1 stick of cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt
What you do:
1. In a large saucepan, bring half and half and the white chocolate to a low boil on medium heat.
2. Next, stir in nutmeg, vanilla extract, almond extract and pinch of salt, turn heat to low.
3. Once mixture is smooth, turn off heat and add cinnamon stick while it cools.
4. Let drink sit for about 15 minutes, remove cinnamon stick and serve warm.
Hot Apple Cider
What you need:
6 cups apple cider
2 whole cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
What you do:
1. Bring all ingredients to a boil on medium heat.
2. Next, reduce heat and let the cider simmer for about 20 minutes.
3. Take a spoon and discard of all the solids (cinnamon stick and cloves)
4. Serve warm, and enjoy.
Follow Katie Wideman on Twitter: @KatieWideman