The warm weather has left us, so that means it’s time for festive cocktails and warm drinks to warm us up this winter and help us celebrate the season. For many people, the holidays conjure up thoughts of wool socks, crackling fireplaces, and sharing special times with our cherished friends and loved ones. Here are some great cocktail ideas to help you celebrate during this most wonderful time of the year.
Bailey’s Hot Chocolate
Simply make your hot chocolate as you usually would, then add the following: a shot of Baileys® Irish Cream
topped off with whip cream and chocolate shavings. It’s absolutely delicious! Or, try marshmallows and chocolate shavings for the kids.
Hot Buttered Rum
Sounds too good to be true, right? Butter in a drink? You’re not dreaming. It’s the real deal. There are many types of rum to choose from, so use whatever tastes best to you. However, we highly recommend a dark or aged rum to go along with the decadence of butter.
Here’s how you make it:
- ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp
- cinnamon, 1 tsp cloves, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp allspice, 2 oz. dark rum, 6 oz. hot
- water
- Mix everything except the liquids
- Add 2 tablespoons of the mixture to a mug
- Add the rum and stir
- Top it off with hot water
- Garnish with a dash of cinnamon
- Colorful sprinkles (optional)
Boozy White Hot Chocolate
Any white chocolate lovers out there? If so this one is for you!
Here’s how to make it
- 1 ½ c. whole milk
- ¼ c. sweetened condensed milk
- ½ c. white chocolate chips
- ½ c. vanilla vodka
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Melt the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk together.
- And the vanilla and vodka and stir it well.
- Pour all into mugs.
- Top with whip cream and sprinkles
Mulled Wine
If classic drinks are more your style, then mulled wine is for you. Nothing conveys relaxation quite like a warm cup of spiced red wine. Let’s look at the ingredients for one of the best cocktails to keep you warm during the holidays.
Here’s how to make it
- Red wine, a fresh orange (cut into wedges), and a few cinnamon sticks,
cloves, star anise, sweetener (sugar, honey, or syrup) - Add everything into a pot and place it on the stove over medium heat.
- Use the seasonings to your taste. As the spices heat up the aromas of the holiday season will permeate throughout your home.
- Your sense of smell will tell you when you have enough of each spice Heat just to a simmer. Any longer and you’ll burn off the alcohol.
- Cover it and simmer over low heat for three hours.
- Mulled wine is a wonderful seasonal drink to enjoy during the holiday season with family and friends. Enjoy the potpourri of the holiday spiced aromas as your holiday drink simmers for a few hours.
If you’re in the mood for a special treat with your holiday drinks try my Baileys Irish Cream Brownies. Yes, this recipe is for Saint Patrick’s Day, but it’s perfect for any holiday or special occasion.