10 Holiday Drink Recipes to Warm the Soul

From Lynn on December 30th, 2009 in General

Summer is marked by margaritas, pina coladas, and various and sundry umbrella drinks. What about winter? I think it’s time to get the holiday parties (and romantic chilly evenings) started with a round-up of 10 hot drinks to warm the New Year soul.

#1 – Glogg

Some German friends turned me on to glogg. Check out GlobalGourmet.com’s easy recipe. It is mandatory to put this in a punch bowl, and then surround it with fun-loving, loose-talking compatriots.

#2 – Hot Toddies

Not your great-grandmother’s drink anymore. Really, for me, there is no better wintertime drink than a hot cup of tea with booze in it! Add a tablespoon of honey, a slice of lemon, a cinnamon stick, and a shot (or two) of brandy, bourbon, rum, or whiskey, such as Jack Daniel’s.

#3 – Café Brulot

From allwomenstalk.com comes this recipe for Café Brulot, “an absolutely delicious and picturesque hot French drink.” Heat 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, five cloves, a large lemon and orange peel, a stick of cinnamon, a pinch of vanilla and a cup of brandy. Add it to three cups of strong, good coffee. Then “ignite with a long match and allow to burn for 30 seconds (it will greatly impress your guests – guaranteed!” I’d suggest making this your first drink of the night! Careful, please.

#4 – Chocolate Kiev

My mother and sister are crazy for vanilla vodka, which goes especially well with hot chocolate. Here’s the how-to for Chocolate Kiev: Add 4 oz. of hot milk, 1 oz. of vanilla vodka, and ¾ oz. Amaretto (yum!) to 1 oz. hot cocoa mix.

#5 – Irish Coffee

Don’t know how I managed to wait till #5 for an Irish Coffee. (Don’t know how I managed to make it to December without one, either!) My favorite flavor is orange, so Café L’Orange blends the best of both worlds for me. Add 1 oz. Grand Marnier and a ½-oz. each of cognac and Cointreau to 4 oz. coffee. Top off with a dollop of whipped cream. Makes you really wonder if hot drinks deliver alcohol to the blood stream quicker, though. Make sure you’re not driving anywhere after a couple of these.

#6 – Black Christmas

Black sambuca is on my gift list this year. In my search for a hot drink, I found this suggestion on Drinksmixer.com for a Black Christmas – toss a shot or two into eggnog. Twist my arm.

#7 – Royal Mead Honey Wine

Ask your local wine seller for mead, a honey wine. Similar to the taste you get from mulling spices, it can be served warm and comes in a variety of flavors.

#8 – Warm and Spicy Autumn Punch

Click here for the recipe for this lovely punch, plus tips from other readers.

#9 – Tastefully Simple

Have you tried Tastefully Simple? My friend hosted a party and I stocked up on this limited-edition Mulling Spice. All you have to do is add cran-apple juice to make a drink that will warm your belly… and make your house smell delish.

#10 – Spiked Apple Cider

And lastly, to round out the gamut of holiday drinks, add 1-1/2 oz. of Southern Comfort to apple cider. As with many hot drinks, a lemon slice and cinnamon stick make it nice-nice.