Holiday entertaining can get expensive if you offer a wide selection of alcohol options to your guests, so consider one of these festive favorites as a crowd-pleasing alternative to an open bar. You won’t just be spreading holiday cheer, you’ll be saving money, too!
From apple cider to eggnog, hot coffees to fizzy punches these wintery drinks are perfect for large gatherings, blending seasonal flavors with holiday spirits.
Hot Mulled Cider
1/2 gallon apple cider
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp balsamic or cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves
1/2 cup Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients except bourbon in large saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Wild Turkey. Pour into punch bowl.
Makes 16 servings
Wisconsin Spicy Apple Eggnog
2 beaten eggs [use fresh, uncracked eggs]
3 cups milk
2 cups light cream or half & half
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
dash salt
3/4 cup apple brandy
ground nutmeg
Instructions:
In large saucepan combine beaten eggs, milk, light cream, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is slightly thickened and heated through, but DO NOT BOIL. Remove from heat; stir in apple brandy. To serve, ladle mixture into 12 heatproof glasses or mugs. Sprinkle each serving with a touch of nutmeg. Serve warm.
Makes 12 servings
Spirited Coffee Lopez
4 cups hot coffee
1/2 cup COCO LOPEZ Cream of Coconut
1/2 cup Irish Whiskey
1 tsp vanilla extract
whipped cream
Instructions:
In heatproof pitcher, combine all ingredients except whipped cream; mix well. Pour into mugs; top with whipped cream. Serve immediately.
Makes 5 servings
Champagne Punch
1 orange
1 lemon
1/4 cranberry-flavored liqueur or cognac
1/4 orange-flavored liqueur or triple sec
1 bottle [750 ml] pink or regular champagne or sparkling white wine, well chilled
fresh cranberries
citrus strips for garnish
Instructions:
Remove colored peel, not white pith, from orange and lemon in long, thin strips with citrus peeler. Refrigerate orange and lemon for another use. Combine peels and cranberry and orange-flavored liqueurs in glass pitcher. Cover and refrigerate 2-6 hours.
Just before serving, tilt pitcher to one side and slowly pour in champagne. Leave peels in pitcher for added flavor. Place a cranberry in bottom of each champagne glass. Pour punch into champagne glasses. Garnish with citrus strips tied in knots, if desired.
Makes 6-8 servings
Cranberry Sangria
1 bottle [750 ml] dry red wine
1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cranberry flavored liqueur
1 orange, scored and thinly sliced
1 lime, scored and thinly sliced
Instructions:
Combine wine, cranberry juice cocktail, orange juice, liqueur, and orange/lime slices in glass pitcher. Chill 2 to 8 hours before serving.
Pour into glasses; add orange and/or lime slices to each glass.
Make 10-12 servings
Sparkling Variation:
Just before serving, tilt pitcher and slowly add 2 cups well-chilled sparkling water or club soda. Pour into glasses; add orange and/or lime slices from sangria to each glass.
Makes 12- 15 servings
