by Steven Doyle
Holiday season is in full swing with parties abound. You will want to serve up some fine libations to set the mood and lift the spirits, making your holiday cheery and bright. We have collected three classic recipes, and we suggest that the egg nog would make a delicious gift for most everyone on your Christmas list. This weekend would make for an excellent test platform to get the recipes down just right for gift giving.
Holiday Classic – Eggnog
Ingredients
6 cups milk, 2 cups heavy cream, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 12 pasteurized egg yolks, 2 cups sugar, praline or bourbon liqueur (can substitute brandy, rum, bourbon or whiskey if desired), freshly ground nutmeg
Preparation
Cook milk, heavy cream, and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes or until steaming (about 150°). Reduce heat to low. Whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a large saucepan until smooth. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until mixture reaches at least 160° (about 25 minutes). Whisk milk mixture into egg mixture. Cool 30 minutes; transfer to a pitcher. Cover and chill 3 to 24 hours. Pour desired amount of preferred alcohol into each glass, if desired. Top with eggnog. Sprinkle with freshly ground nutmeg.
Jingle Juice
Ingredients
5 cups orange juice, 1 cup vodka, 1/3 cup orange liqueur, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, ½ cup maraschino cherry juice, garnishes: fruit-flavored candy cane sticks, cherries with stems, orange and lemon slices
Preparation
Stir together orange juice and next 4 ingredients; serve over ice. Garnish, if desired. Or, use orange liqueur instead of vodka, and add 2 cups chilled lemon-lime soft drink.
Bloody Mary Punch
Ingredients
1 (46-oz.) container low-sodium vegetable juice, 1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper, 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon seasoning, ½ cup vodka, celery sticks
Preparation
Combine vegetable juice and next 5 ingredients and vodka in a punch bowl or pitcher. Serve over ice in glasses. Serve with celery sticks if desired.
