5 Favorite Holiday Drinks From SweisKloss Staff

Source: themodernproper.com

5 Favorite Holiday Drinks From SweisKloss Staff

by SweisKloss
November 11, 2021

Have you recently looked at the calendar and thought “How is it almost holiday season already?!” And this year will be far different from last year with more in-person gatherings. We can imagine that your home will be filled with a lot of fun festivities, getting back to traditions or starting new ones. To help jumpstart your party planning, we asked some of our staff for their favorite holiday drink picks, including kid friendly ones. Here are the recipes.

Amanda’s choice for a cozy mug of goodness is an easy homemade hot chocolate, spiked for adults or sans alcohol for kids.

4 cups Whole milk
2 tbsp Sugar
1/2 Vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla extract
6 oz Dark chocolate (60%)
1 tsp Sea salt
Marshmallows (roasted if possible)

1. In a small saucepan heat milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla over medium-low heat until sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Make sure the milk does not come to a boil. Add the chocolate in pieces, whisking until completely incorporated. Remove from heat.
2. For the adult version, stir in 2 oz bourbon, Frangelico, or Irish cream liqueur. Serve immediately with roasted marshmallows.

According to Aimee, she likes anything “that is bubbly and fresh looking.” Her pick is a holiday punch with fresh fruit.

2 bottles Prosecco or Champagne (sparkling cider for non-alcoholic)
2 cups Ginger ale
1/2 cup Cointreau (orange juice for non-alcoholic)
2 cups Pineapple juice
1 Orange sliced
1 Lemon sliced
Raspberries and cranberries for garnish
Fresh mint leaves for garnish

1. Be sure to chill all liquids and fruit beforehand. Just before serving, combine the sparkling wine, ginger ale, Cointreau, and pineapple juice in a large punch bowl
2. Top with the orange and lemon wheels, raspberries, cranberries, and fresh mint. Serve immediately with ice on the side. Bubbles dissipate after about 20 minutes.

Franziska grew up in Germany, and one of her fondest memories is going to the Christmas markets with her family. The adults would sip on Glühwein, which is basically mulled wine.

2 Large oranges
4 1/4 cups Red wine
3/4 cup Brandy
1/2 cup Dark brown sugar
3 Cinnamon sticks
6 Cardamom pods, slightly crushed

1. Using a peeler, remove the peel in strips from 1 orange then juice the orange. Slice the other orange into wheels and reserve for garnish.
2. In a nonreactive saucepan, combine orange peel, juice, and the rest of the ingredients. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Increase the heat to high, bring mixture to a boil (briefly boiling will not burn off alcohol), then immediately reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently until flavors meld, about 30 minutes. Strain the mixture, discarding the solids. Ladle into mugs and garnish with orange wheels.

Jessica likes the festive green color of this drink called The Hot Priscilla (named after a very attractive bartender in San Francisco).

1-2 Slices jalapeno
1 Lime, juiced
Pinch Cilantro leaves and stems
2 oz Gin
1 oz Simple syrup
Seltzer water

1. Muddle jalapeno, lime, and cilantro in a glass
2. Add gin, simple syrup, and top off with seltzer water. Add ice and stir.

We all remember when Taylor brought Puerto Rican Coquito (a coconut eggnog type of cocktail) to the office during the holiday season of 2019. He and his wife make this delicious drink every year, and we are looking forward to the batch he will bring this year. We plan to put in our request soon.

2 cups Water
1 (14 oz) can Coconut milk
1 (12 oz) can Evaporated milk
1 (14 oz) can Sweetened condensed milk
4 cups White rum
1 tsp Vanilla extract

1. Boil cinnamon sticks in the water until flavor melds.
2. Add the evaporated milk, condensed milk, vanilla, and heat on medium, stirring frequently until boiling.
3. After boiling for about 5 minutes, add the coconut milk and rum. Remove from heat, let cool, then chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.