Holiday Drinks

It’s Christmas Eve! Many of us are cooking with family, hanging out with friends or maybe enjoying a few days of peace. Whether you celebrate or not, it doesn’t matter – you can still enjoy these holiday-themed drinks!

Holiday Sangria

Author: Rachelle Lucas

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 10 mins

Total time: 20 mins

Serves: 8-10

A very easy recipe to make and share during holiday parties or to bottle and give as a gift.

Ingredients

2 bottles Merlot
1 bottle ginger ale
1 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground clove
4 to 6 oranges or tangelos
6 to 10 cinnamon sticks
½ bag of cranberries

Instructions

In a medium pot, combine Merlot, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Let simmer for ten minutes, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved.
Pour immediately into a sealed pitcher or other container. Chop apples and add them along with the cinnamon sticks to the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Add ice and ginger ale to serve.
For a more carbonated punch or mimosa, add the ginger ale to the wine after it’s cooled … then it will keep the fizz.

Apple on the Rocks

Recipe courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

Ice

2 tablespoons applejack*

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Pinch ground cinnamon

1/2 cup chilled hard cider

Apple wedge (optional)

Directions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. In cocktail shaker combine applejack, maple syrup, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Cover and shake about 10 seconds or until cold.
Fill a tall glass with ice; strain apple jack mixture into glass. Pour the hard cider on top. If desired, garnish with an apple wedge.