Cocktails, mocktails, and drinks to keep you warm—eight recipes to taste and enjoy.
It’s happened again—the spring and summer months have zipped on by and we’re nearing the end of fall and quickly welcoming in the holiday season.
The holidays are a wonderful time of year. They’re full of all the good stuff. Lots of laughter and rosy cheeks garnished with the vibrant company of friends and family. Of course, there will probably be the occasional brisk breeze, too. That’s OK though, because we’ve compiled a tasteful list of seasonal drink recipes to accompany you at every occasion.
We’ve got martinis to enjoy with close friends, rimmed in crushed peppermint or graham cracker crumbs, a spicy take on hot chocolate to curl up with by the fireplace and a variety of classy, non-alcoholic “mocktails” to dress up your glassware if alcohol isn’t on the menu. Don’t forget to try the Chaider, quick to make and a great way to put cozy in a mug and take it with you on the go.
‘Tis the season to be many things and we hope that warm and happy will be a part of it. Enjoy responsibly and cheers to another great year.
Mexican Hot Chocolate – Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 cups reduced-fat (2 percent) evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate liqueur
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- 10 cinnamon sticks
- 1 dried red chile
- 2 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, broken
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Preparation
Whisk evaporated milk, whole milk, liqueur, vanilla, sugar, cocoa, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and chili powder in a heavy saucepan. Add 2 of the cinnamon sticks and chile and cook gently over medium-low heat until warm. Add chocolate and cook, whisking until melted. Gently bring to a high simmer; reduce heat and simmer until liquid thickens and reduces slightly, whisking often, 10 minutes. Combine heavy cream with remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and beat until peaks form. Ladle 1/3 cup hot cocoa into each of 8 teacups; top with 1 tablespoon whipped cream and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Maple Butter Kiss – Cocktail
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1 1/2 onces vodka
- 1/2 ounce DeKuyper Buttershots liqueur
- 1/4 ounce real maple syrup
- 1 oz. half-and-half
- Fresh-ground nutmeg
Preparation
Pour liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass and top with fresh-ground nutmeg.
Peppermint Martini – Cocktail
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1 1/4 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1 1/4 ounces
- White Creme de Cacao
- 3/4 ounce peppermint Schnapps
- Simple syrup (for rim of glass)
- Peppermint candy
Preparation
Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Crush up peppermint candies, rim the martini class with simple syrup and press glass into crushed candies. Strain into a martini glass and drop in a peppermint or two.
Key Lime Martini – Cocktail
Ingredients
- Ice
- 6 tablespoon vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces key lime liqueur
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 lime (wedges and wheel)
Preparation
Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Crush up graham cracker, rim the martini class with lime juice from a lime wedge and press glass into crushed graham. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
White Grape Champagne- Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1 can white grape juice concentrate (frozen)
- 2 liters ginger ale
Preparation
Combine frozen juice concentrate with 2 liters of ginger ale. Mix to melt and incorporate and serve chilled.
Frost Bite Martini- Mocktail
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 2 ounces white grape juice
- fresh mint leaves
- fresh blueberries
- 3 ounces Sierra Mist Natural
Preparation
Pour lime juice and pineapple juice over ice in a cocktail shaker, shaking vigorously. Add the white grape juice, mint and a couple of crushed blueberries. Shake well
to combine and strain into a glass. Pour in SierraMist Natural and garnish with blueberries.
Moscow Mule- Mocktail
Ingredients
- ice
- 1/2 cup ginger beer
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons Club Soda
- 1 lime (for garnish)
Preparation
Pour ginger beer, lime juice and Club Soda over ice in a glass and using a spoon, mix briefly until incorporated.
Chaider
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Oregon Chai The Original Chai tea latte concentrate
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 cinnamon stick
Preparation
Mix equal parts Chai tea latte concentrate and apple cider in a small sauce pot over medium heat. Warm mixture until just beginning to steam. Remove from heat and pour into a mug, garnishing with a cinnamon stick.
