There is a long history of clinking glasses during the holidays, toasting to prosperity and wealth, dating back to ancient midwinter festivals with communal, spiced warm drinks like mulled wines and old English ‘wassail’ or cider blended with apples, oranges and spices. As trade routes expanded in the Middle Ages and other spirits became more accessible, holiday beverages evolved, giving rise to the diverse range of holiday drinks we enjoy today.
These traditions carry on, getting together to enjoy seasonal foods and beverages and toasting to the new year ahead. Wintertime brings warm, cozy flavors like pear, cranberries, peppermint, cardamom and more in our seasonal drink, food and dessert recipes. It’s the ideal season for bold, rich red wines, darker beers like porters and stouts, and cocktails featuring whiskeys, dark rums and amaretto. Seasonal flavored liquors like peppermint schnapps and eggnog whiskey also add a festive twist to classic holiday drink recipes.
For a holiday cocktail hour, choose a few easy-to-make recipes or large batch cocktails that guests can serve themselves, such as a Sparkling Holiday Sangria. A well-stocked holiday bar has plenty of white and red wines, seasonal beers and non-alcoholic beverages. An aperitif or dessert beverage could include ports, meads or coffee with Bailey’s Irish Cream. Be sure that your holiday bar set up includes beer and wine openers, appropriate glasses, chilled cocktail glasses, festive wine glass charms and bottle stoppers, plenty of ice, straws and cocktail napkins.
Peppermint Espresso Martini (single serving)
Ingredients:
1.5 ounces of Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka
1 ounce of Kahlua
.5 ounces of Peppermint liqueur
1 ounce of freshly brewed cold brew or chilled espresso
Crushed peppermint candies and espresso beans for the garnish
Fill the shaker with ice and ingredients. Shake for 20-30 seconds; pour into a martini glass. Sprinkle the crushed and peppermint candies on top and add three espresso beans
In Italian tradition, the first espresso bean symbolizes good health, the second is for prosperity and wealth and the third is for happiness and joy.
Kids Gourmet Hot Cocoa Bar
If the holiday party is kid-friendly — a gourmet hot cocoa bar is a fun and festive way to give kids their own space to be creative. Letting kids customize their drinks adds excitement and keeps them engaged. Setting up a special hot cocoa bar is easy and adds a special touch to holiday celebrations. For extra fun, set out some board games, art projects or holiday books so kids have some activities while sipping on their hot cocoa.
Set Up:
Table: Festive tablecloth and decorations
- Hot chocolate – try a slow cooker recipe that will keep at a warm/low heat temperature
- Holiday mugs or double insulated paper cups
- Festive straws
- Hot chocolate toppings can include small and large marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, cinnamon sticks, peppermint sticks or crushed peppermint candies, cookie sticks, chocolate or caramel covered spoons, flavored syrups and chocolate shavings.
Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa
Serves: 12–14
Ingredients:
- 8 cups 1% or whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream (for extra creaminess)
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Pour the milk, cream, and sweetened condensed milk into the slow cooker. Whisk in the cocoa powder and salt until smooth, then stir in the chocolate chips.
- Cover and cook on low for two hours, stirring occasionally to melt the chocolate evenly.
- Once the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is silky smooth, stir in the vanilla. Switch the slow cooker to warm to keep the cocoa at the perfect sipping temperature during your party.
- Ladle into mugs or festive holiday cups. Let the kids (of all ages) get creative and customize their mugs of hot cocoa with all the fun toppings.
Tip: Give the cocoa a good stir every so often and add a splash of milk to thin it if it gets too thick.