For some, the holidays are a time of peace, joy, happiness, presents, kicking your feet up and eating a lot of really good food. These type of people show up to Thanksgiving with a dish they might have not even cooked and a bottle of wine. Easy peasy! For us moms, the holidays involve much more than that. We’re talking planning the menu, buying the groceries, cooking the food, making everything look nice, coordinating outfits, communicating with family members, trying to keep everyone happy and possibly slipping on a Thanksgiving outfit yourself!
See the difference there? While most hubby’s will typically take off some of the workload when it comes to planning the holidays, most of the time the work and coordination relies heavily on us as moms. You know what that also means? We need a cocktail or two to treat ourselves and ease the nerves a bit when it comes to pulling off the holidays!
We’ve searched the internet for our favorite cocktails or holiday-themed beverages to get you through the holiday season. There’s a drink for our wine lovers, champagne sippers, whiskey and rum fans and even for those beer lovers too! You can either make the drink for yourself or serve it for your guests as well for extra hostess brownie points!
Pear and Cranberry Bellini from MarthaStewart.com
This festive drink pairs well at holiday gatherings with elegant bites and great friends! Sub ginger ale for the sparkling wine if you’d like a version for the kids!
Ingredients
- 1 cup pear nectar
- 1 bottle Prosecco or other dry sparkling white wine
- 1 cup cranberry juice
Directions
- 1. In a small pitcher or large liquid measuring cup, combine pear nectar and cranberry juice cocktail.
- 2. Pour 1/4 cup juice mixture into each of 8 champagne glasses.
- 3. Dividing evenly, top with Prosecco or other dry sparkling white wine.
Spiced Brandy Wine from MarthaStewart.com
Give guests a warm welcome with this brandy-spiked mulled wine. But, beware, your guests may end up spending the night with this liquor/wine combo!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle light-bodied red wine (such as a Beaujolais)
- 3 ounces brandy
- cup sugar
- 6 whole cloves
- 4 strips lemon zest (3 inches each)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-star anise
- Fresh lemon-zest for garnish
Directions
- Bring red wine, brandy, sugar, cloves, lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to a simmer in a saucepan, covered, over high heat.
- Remove from heat; steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve.
- Ladle into 4 mugs; garnish with fresh lemon-zest strips.
Fall Fashioned from Maxim.com
A cider-y spin on the classic Old Fashioned – what’s not to love?
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 parts whiskey
- 2 parts apple cider
- 3/4 parts simple syrup
- Orange slice
- A few dashes of bitters
Directions
- Muddle orange slice in a rocks glass.
- Add whiskey, cider, simple syrup and bitters
- Add ice and stir
Rum Milk Punch from CaribJournal.com
Take a trip to the tropics with this Rum Milk Punch!
Ingredients
- 1.5 parts Caribbean Rum
- parts syrup
- 4 parts Milk
- Grated Nutmeg
Directions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the num, milk, and syrup with ice cubes.
- Shake until frothy – for about one minute
- Strain into a double-old fashioned glass with crushed ice
- Sprinkle with nutmeg and enjoy!
Pumpkin Ale Ice Cream Float from WhitneyBond.com
It’s not all year long that Pumpkin Beer is available, so we suggest taking advantage! Enjoy this twist on a classic dessert favorite.
Ingredients
- 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup pumpkin ale
- tsp cinnamon
Directions
- Scoop the ice cream into a tall glass.
- Pour the pumpkin ale over the ice cream
- Top with cinnamon
Any one of these five cocktails are bound to keep your company happy and letting you enjoy the fall festive season. It may be hectic but it only comes by once a year so sit back, make yourself a drink and enjoy, mama!
What are your favorite fall cocktails? Comment below, or let us know if you tried any of these and loved them, or put your own twist to them!
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