Adult Holiday Beverages

I thought maybe some *adult* holiday beverage recipes might be in order, just in case we need a little help feeling toasty/merry. Of course, on most of these it's pretty easy to substitute something or skip on the alcohol all together, and the drinks will still be yummy and merry, while being alcohol free.

Here's a basic recipe for wassail, alcohol-free. When I make mine, I omit the orange juice and lemon juice, dump in a bottle of red wine, add slices of oranges, and probably add more cinnamon, because I like cinnamon. I also usually get too excited to wait ALL DAY. My version is more like mulled wine. I've heard it called wassail, however.

Wassail Punch

2 quarts apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
12 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1 pinch ground ginger1 pinch ground nutmeg

In a slow-cooker or a large pot over low heat, combine apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice. Season with cloves, ginger and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer. If using a slow cooker, allow to simmer all day. Serve hot.

Basic alcohol-free eggnog recipe:

2 eggs, beaten well
3 tbs sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp nutmeg, ground
2 1/3 cups milk

Blend all ingredients together and serve chilled.

(Or, you know, buy the stuff they've been selling since Halloween at grocery stores everywhere.)

Version with alcohol:

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup brandy
• 1/3 cup dark rum (Captain Morgan for best flavor, but Myers is fine)
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 2 cups milk

All liquids should be very cold. Refrigerate in advance.

Beat the eggs for 2 or 3 minutes with an electric mixer at medium speed until very frothy. Gradually beat in the sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. Turn the mixer off and stir in the cold brandy, rum, whipping cream and milk Chill before serving. Sprinkle individual servings with more nutmeg.

Makes about 2-1/2 quarts.

I'm not really sure how you can make hot buttered rum non-alcoholic, so forgive me for this one (also, hot buttered rum is rich, rich, rich):

Colonial Hot Buttered Rum

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 pinch salt
3 sticks cinnamon
6 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups rum
heavy cream -- whipped
ground nutmeg -- for topping

Put all ingredients, except rum and cream, and nutmeg into crockpot. Add 2 quarts hot water. Stir well. Cover pot and cook on LOW for 5 hours. Add rum; stir to blend. Serve from pot in warm mugs with a scoop of whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg.

The infamous hot toddy:

1 oz (2 tablespoons) bourbon
1 tablespoon mild honey
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup boiling-hot water

Put bourbon, honey, and lemon juice in a 6-ounce mug. Top off with hot water and stir until honey is dissolved.

(You can also use Scotch or brandy. Some people also use hot tea, lemonade, coffee, cocoa, cinnamon, cloves, or butter. A non-alcoholic version would be more like a hot cider or hot lemony cup of tea, but would still be warming and cozy!)

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Add peppermint schnapps to a cup of hot cocoa; garnish with a candy cane. You can also rim the mug with crushed peppermints/candy canes. This is also delicious without the schnapps, of course!

Any holiday drinks you like to cozy up with?