Holiday Inspired Cocktails

Holidays are upon us and here are some festive drink ideas to get you celebrating. These are just a few takes on some holiday classics and we could have made this list much much longer.  We'll post a few more holiday themed drink before they are over so keep checking back, until then enjoy....

The Tom & Jerry

Image: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Indulge in the rich flavors of the season while you get warmed from the inside out with this classic hot drink. Homemade batter, made with eggs, sugar, rum and vanilla, adds richness to cognac, rum and hot milk. Serve in a warmed Tom & Jerry cup (or coffee mug) garnished with freshly ground nutmeg, clove and allspice. 

 

Ingredients: Boiling Water,  to rinse 1 ounce dark rum 1 ounce cognac 1 Tbsp Tom & Jerry batter* Whole milk, hot, to top Garnish: ground nutmeg Garnish: ground cloves Garnish: ground allspice

Steps: Rinse a small coffee mug (or white ceramic Tom & Jerry cup) with boiling water to warm it, then discard the water. Add the batter, cognac and rum into the cup and top with hot milk. Garnish with a mixture of 2 parts freshly grated nutmeg to 1 part each ground clove and ground allspice.

*Tom & Jerry batter: Separate 12 egg yolks and whites and set aside. In a nonreactive bowl, whip the egg whites with 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat the yolks with 2 pounds of sugar, 2 ounces Jamaican dark rum and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. When the mixture is completely combined, gently fold it into the egg white mixture. Keep refrigerated.

The Spiced Eggnog

Image: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

What’s a holiday season without a glass or two of Eggnog? This take on the classic recipe elevates it into a rich culinary experience that you’ll want to return to every year. To make it, blend eggs until fluffy, then add in sugar, brandy, rum, milk and cream. When it’s all mixed, chill and let the flavors combine, then serve topped with grated nutmeg. 

Ingredients: 2 large eggs 3 ounces superfine sugar 3 ounces brandy 2 ounces Sailor Jerry spiced rum 3/4 cup whole milk 1/2 cup heavy cream Garnish: grated nutmeg

Steps: serves 2 Beat eggs in blender for 1 minute on medium speed. Slowly add sugar and blend for 1 minute. With blender still running, add brandy, rum, milk and cream until combined. Chill thoroughly to allow flavors to combine. Serve in a chilled coupe or wine glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

 RAW WGGNOG WARNING - Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of food-borne illness.

The Cranberry-Ginger Mimosa

Image: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Start your day with this holiday version of the quintessential brunch cocktail. As you’d expect, Champagne stars in this bubbly drink, while ginger beer and cranberry juice add seasonal flavors. Don’t forget to garnish with sugared cranberries for extra-festive flair.

Ingredients: 2 ounces ginger beer 2 ounces cranberry juice Champagne, chilled, to top Garnish: sugared cranberries

Steps: Combine all ingredients in a Champagne flute. Garnish with skewered sugared cranberries.

 

The Candy Cane Mimosa

Image: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Candy canes are as ubiquitous as twinkling lights this time of year, and this recipe helps to put the abundance to good use. Make your Mimosa by adding white créme de menthe and chocolate bitters to sparkling wine and serve in a chocolate- and crushed-candy-cane-rimmed glass, then throw in a whole candy cane for good measure. 

Ingredients: 3/4 ounce white crème de menthe, chilled 1 dash chocolate bitters Sparkling wine, to top Garnish: melted chocolate chips Garnish: crushed candy cane Garnish: whole candy cane

Steps: Rim a Champagne flute with melted chocolate chips and a crushed candy cane. Add the white créme de menthe and chocolate bitters into the prepared glass, and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a whole candy cane.