Holiday Cocktails

by ,

                                    Holiday Cocktails

The Holidays are fast upon us which means big family dinners, parties, and celebrations both at work and at home.   The weather is also quickly shifting to chilly days and cold nights and with that our taste buds start craving foods like stew, soup, and heartier dishes.  This coincides with cocktails, in my opinion, so I wanted to share some cold weather recipes for you to make not only for yourself after a long day of work, but also for entertaining purposes.   I have included a punch recipe, because I always encourage people to do this for a party as opposed to being stuck in your kitchen bartending all night! With all recipes I post, please know that these are based on MY palate, so feel free to adjust them according to yours.  

                                         HOLIDAY RUM PUNCH

                                                      (will yield 24 portions)

Ingredients:

  • 1 Liter Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum
  • 6 oz. Smith and Cross Rum
  • 1/2 Gallon Apple Cider
  • 12 oz. Cinnamon Simple Syrup
  • 6 dashes Angostura Bitters

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a punch bowl or large serving vessel, and refrigerate.   Serve over ice but do not add ice to the punch bowl, you don’t want to water down your punch.   Thinly slice green and red apples and allow them to float in the punch as a garnish…..you can also be creative and add cinnamon sticks or star anise as they will add flavor and a beautiful visual.  

Cinnamon Simple Syrup:

  • 12 oz. Water
  • 12 oz. Sugar
  • 3 Cinnamon Sticks

Add all ingredients to a sauce pan and heat on low, stirring until sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before removing cinnamon sticks. Refrigerate for up to one week.  

                           JAMAICAN COFFEE

          (this is very easy to make for a group of people!)

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. Appleton Estates Rum
  • 1 spoonful Sugar in the Raw
  • 4 oz. Rich Dark Coffee

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a coffee mug, stir well to dissolve the sugar.  Top with one large dollop of freshly whipped vanilla cream (see recipe below). Garnish with fresh grated nutmeg.

Vanilla Whipped Cream:

  • 2 C. Heavy Cream
  • 1 C. Powdered Sugar
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Using a hand mixer, mix until whipped and fluffy. 

                   HOT BUTTERED RUM

Ingredients:

  • 4 sticks Softened Butter
  • 1 C. Brown Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. Ground Allspice
  • ½ tsp. Ground Clove
  • Pinch of Salt

Directions:

Mix very well by hand or with a hand mixer. 

To Serve:

Add one tablespoon of room temperature butter mix to a coffee mug, and 1.5 ounce of your favorite rum.   I prefer a darker aged rum, as you really want the flavors of that rum to shine through. Fill with very hot water, stirring so the butter melts.   Garnish this with a cinnamon stick, and an orange peel which will add a bit of bright citrus to this otherwise rich cocktail.  

Cris