Dinnercraft helps bring your (and our) protracted adolescence to an end. Our authors cover topics ranging from cooking and eating, to home and garden, to crafting and DiY, and all the rest of the things you find yourself caring about these days.
Getting in the Spirit: Our Guide to Seasonal Cocktails, Part III
Nothing says Christmas like a cup of hot booze. Presents and peace are totally awesome, but baby, it’s cold outside,* and a steaming mug of liquid courage emboldens me to face the chilliest of nights. And what a wonderful welcome for guests, when they enter your home, lit with candles and a crackling fire, and are given a drink to warm the body and stoke the soul’s fire. Though the days grow longer, the temperatures will dip even lower in the coming months, and so it is time to gather our quilts and cast off our wits for a few hours of companionable, intoxicated merriment. Here are five ways to achieve a delightful winter buzz:
- The Hot Toddy. I don’t know what’s in it, but doesn’t it sound sassy and old fashioned? I’m kidding. I mean, it’s obviously saucier than your grandma at a USO dance, but I know how to make one. I just used the internet, duh. A Hot Toddy combines whiskey, honey, lemon juice and hot water. Perhaps a little more medicinal than festive, this makes the list because there are likely a few hungover mornings and sniffly afternoons in our near future.
- Hot Buttered Rum is Malcolm’s favorite. I bet it tastes like a hot boozy Werther’s Original. Combine brown sugar, hot milk, dark rum, butter, and nutmeg. Yum. This is why I married him.
- Mulled wine should always be simmering somewhere during winter parties. Doesn’t it seem so cozy? You stir brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves into red wine, in a big heavy pot on the stove for 30 minutes until hot, then add port wine and brandy.
- Spiked Hot Cider is slightly more autumnal than winteris, but I think it would be so lovely for an afternoon cookie exchange or knitting circle. I would use rum, and steep a fruity tea or fresh ginger for another dimension of flavor. How excellent would this be with my olive oil orange cake and a scoop of french vanilla ice cream?
- Swiss Mrs. is the name of a fantastic drink I just made up. It’s grown-up cocoa, double duh. Add peppermint Schnapps to your favorite hot chocolate, done. There’s also the Swiss Mr., which is made with Frangelico, a hazelnut liqueur. These would be perfect apres sledding treats, or you could pair them with a Croque Monsieur and Madame and spend a snowy day, fat on the couch, watching a trilogy. I suggest Indiana Jones.
If nothing else will, your friend booze can keep you happy, healthy and warm this holiday season. Drink up, kids.
* somewhere. I wore shorts to the mall.
Yes. This is all correct.