Every nostalgic holiday tradition is usually paired with a cuppa something warm, frothy or mulled. Whether you’re making it at home or indulging at a local coffee shop or holiday market, these steamy bevvies will have you feeling full of holiday cheer.
Minty Mocha Bliss
Minty Mocha Bliss is my personal favourite. It’s easy to make at home or take one to-go from a coffee shop (in a seasonal cup of course). Order a café mocha or start with a shot of espresso. Add your desired amount of prepared hot chocolate or milk and add a drizzle of chocolate syrup. You can also add a few flavour pumps of mint syrup, but I prefer adding a mint tea bag to the mix to steep until perfection. Coffee shops will add a teabag for you as well. If you’re serving this one at home, impress guests with a little homemade whip and garnish with crushed candy cane.
Pumpkin Spice Red Wine
It’s never too late in the season for pumpkin spice! Grab your Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, and in a few easy steps you can be sipping a fantastic treat by the crackling fire! Throw on a movie and enjoy some time with friends as well. We like using Two Oceans Wine for this one - it’s totally affordable, even after spending what seems like your entire pay cheque on holiday gifts.
Serves 8
• 1 750ml bottle Two Oceans Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
• 1/2 cup pumpkin spice syrup*
• 1/2 cup water
1. Bring the pumpkin spice syrup and water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Carefully add Two Oceans Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot and bring back to a simmer.
3. Serve hot, garnished with a cinnamon stick and slice of orange.
*Pumpkin Spice Syrup
In a small pot, whisk together 3/4 cup water, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup pumpkin purée and 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice. Simmer for 3 minutes before straining through a fine sieve. Serve and enjoy!
Warm Bourbon Cider
Photo: CheatSheet
Just the sound of this recipe has me feeling all warm and fuzzy. I’m sure your guests will too because this recipe is perfect for sharing. In fact, it yields far too much for one person to drink in one sitting. And no, that’s not a challenge.
Ingredients
1 gallon of fresh apple cider
2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2½ teaspoon ground ginger
5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups of bourbon
Directions
In a large pot, heat apple cider, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. When mixture is hot but not yet boiling, turn off the heat and add the bourbon. Stir to mix up the spices and ladle out a few mugs.
Mayan Hot Chocolate
The first time I tried these flavours together was over an order of drinking chocolate from Soma Chocolate in Toronto. I initially raised an eyebrow at the notion of hot spices in my hot cocoa but my taste buds were delightfully surprised. Here’s the simple way to make it for yourself – heat a cup or so of milk in a saucepan over low heat. In small bowl, combine three tablespoons of hot chocolate mix, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Add the mixture to the warm milk and whisk. Take off the heat and enjoy. If you’re in for a bit more of a challenge, try this Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe from the Food Network.
DIY Eggnog
Photo: Cook Diary
Feeling brave? Impress your friends (and yourself) by forgoing store bought egg nog and make your own. This boozy recipe from Martha Stewart is a crowd pleaser:
Ingredients
12 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
1 quart whole milk
1 1/2 quarts heavy cream
3 cups bourbon
1/2 cup dark rum
2 cups cognac
Freshly grated nutmeg
Directions
In a very large bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and pale yellow. Gradually add sugar to yolks. With a wire whisk, beat in milk and 1 quart cream. Add bourbon, rum, and cognac, stirring constantly.
Just before serving, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into mixture. Whip remaining 1/2 quart heavy cream until stiff, and fold in. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
What’s your favourite warm, holiday drink? Let us know if you try any of these recipes.
Although this post has been sponsored by Two Oceans Wine, opinions are our own. Please drink responsibly.
