With Christmas season fast approaching, get-togethers and merry making is going to be everywhere once again. Parties and reunions will jump at you from everywhere as folks eagerly embrace the warmth and joy that accompanies the season. And of course, every Christmas season, there are always drinks to help get the happy spirit going.
Like it or not, along with the Christmas feasts that are going to be prepared will be a very special Christmas party drink. A Christmas party drink is always an excusable indulgence as we soak in the festive mood that comes only once a year. We all look forward to having a Christmas party drink or two, minus the guilt, knowing fully well that this is a rare treat that we can give in to. An alcoholic Christmas party drink is also very forgiving, since they contain just the right amount of spirits to get that cheerful buzz. They are fun Christmas party beverages that both men and women alike love to drink.
Here are a few suggestions that you may try as you prepare your own Christmas party drinks these holiday season.
1. Sack Posset
Ingredients:
3 egg whites
6 egg yolks
1 cup Fino Sherry
1⁄4 tsp grated nutmeg
1⁄4 tsp each mace and ground cinnamon
2⁄3 cup of caster sugar
4 cups of pouring cream
Some grated nutmeg, for sprinkling
Directions:
Place the egg whites, egg yolks, spices and Sherry in a large mixing bowl and whisk to the point that they are well mixed. Put the bowl over a saucepan of boiling water and stir until warm. Do not to let the egg blend overheat or it will scramble. Using 1 teaspoon of caster sugar, heat what’s left with the cream in a saucepan until it rises during boiling. Place the cream mixture right away in a stable stream from a height, onto the egg mixture, whisking as you pour to create a froth.
Allow the posset to stand in a warm place for approximately 5 minutes, and then drizzle the reserved sugar along with a little nutmeg on the surface and place in glasses. Serve this Christmas party drink with mince pies.
2. Hot Chocolate Peppermint
Ingredients:
600ml of milk
A 200g bar of plain chocolate chunks
150ml of pot single or double cream
Some sugar to taste
6 peppermint candy canes
Directions:
Place the chocolate chunks in a pan with the milk. Heat gently while stirring until all the chocolate melts. Maintain heating until the milk begins to steam, then take away from the heat and stir in the cream. Separate the hot chocolate equally into 6 mugs, adding sugar to taste. Dangle a candy cane on the edge of each mug. When you serve this party drink, let everyone stir their hot chocolate using their candy cane, allowing the peppermint to dissolve.
3. Pimm’s Winter punch
Ingredients:
500ml of brandy
500ml of Pimm’s
1½ liters of apple juice
Ice for chilling
2 cinnamon sticks
Sliced orange
Sliced apple
Directions:
Blend the brandy and Pimm’s with the apple juice in a container filled with cinnamon sticks, ice, and a slice of orange and apple. Serve the drink and enjoy.
4. Vodka ala Chilli
Ingredients:
2 plump red chillies
1 liter vodka
Additional chillies for bottling
Directions:
Cut the chillies and blend with the vodka in a generous container or jug. Allow to stand for 4-5 hours. After that, strain out the chillies and pour everything back into a bottle to store until ready for serving. Just before serving, decant into smaller bottles, and place a whole chilli in each party beverage.
5. Beso Angelita
Ingredients:
400ml of chilled Tia Maria
16 tbsp or approximately 250ml of double cream
Cocoa for dusting
Directions:
Place the Tia Maria into cocktail or liqueur glasses. Now gently pour the cream into the glasses over the rear of a teaspoon to make it float on the top of the Tia Maria, making a separate coating. Sprinkle the cream with cocoa and serve.
6. Eggnog Eggstravaganza
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups of milk
1 tsp of vanilla extract
3 lightly beaten whole eggs
1/3 cup of white sugar
Some salt to taste
1 cup of heavy cream
2 tbsp of confectioners’ sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup of rum (if desired)
2 drops of food coloring (yellow)
1 pinch of ground nutmeg
Directions:
In a saucepan, mix the eggs, white sugar, and salt; and slowly stir in the milk. Mixing continuously, cook for about 10 to 15 minutes using medium heat, until the blend coats a metal spoon. Take away from heat, and mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Put the saucepan over ice water until custard cools, and then refrigerate until ice cold. Next, in a chilled bowl, blend confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir until stiff peaks begin to form. Mix in the rum and yellow food coloring. Finally, fold the whipped cream blend into the cooled custard. Place into a serving dish, and drizzle with nutmeg and serve the party drink.
These are just a few Christmas party drink ideas you could use to drink during Christmas. With friends and family around, create any of these wonderful and festive Christmas drinks and kick back and soak in the holiday cheer. Just remember, that when it comes to an alcoholic drink, go easy on the volume, or if you plan to really get buzzed, make sure you have a designated driver. With that caveat said, enjoy your Christmas party drink. Bottoms up, everyone!