Okay, I know we are all probably champagned-out after all our New Year's festivities and it's a shame! Champagne is such a light and refreshing drink, undeserving of a hiatus.
Now that Christmas is only four days away (gasp), here are two more cocktail recipes to warm you up this holiday season. They're perfect for taking the edge off forced family fun. They'd even make Scrooge himself reconsider his bah humbug disposition!
So happy holidays!
--Miriam Zelinsky, Official Lazyjack Press Mixologist and Master of Fun
1) Classic Hot Toddy:
What you’ll need:
1.5 oz Whiskey (Rye or Bourbon)
½ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz honey
Cinnamon
Easy peezy lemon squeezy… just steam and combine all ingredients in a mug! Garnish with cinnamon and a lemon wedge!
2) Bear Trap courtesy of Dutch Kills:
What you’ll need:
1.5 oz of Bourbon
½ oz of honey
1.5 oz of apple
One teaspoon of butter
Just steam and combine all ingredients in a mug! Garnish with an apple slice.
3) Mulled Wine (Makes 4-6 cups!)
What you’ll need:
1 bottle of red wine (Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon work best)
¼ cup of Brandy
1 peeled orange
8-10 cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon fresh ginger or allspice
(Optional: ¼ cup sugar)
Combine all ingredients in a large pot and the key is gently warming the ingredients on low heat for about 20-25 minutes. Then, serve (but leave spices in the pot!)
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Christmas decorations are up, a chill is in the air, and it’s getting hard for me to walk on Fifth Avenue without taking down a couple of tourists. This means one thing: winter is here!
As temperatures continue to plummet, I thought I’d include a classic hot toddy recipe to keep you warm (and buzzed) this holiday season and to help get you into the spirit of the season. Who knows, before long you may even find yourself roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Stranger things have happened!
For now, stay warm and may the holiday spirit be with you.
-- Miriam Zelinsky, Official Lazyjack Press Mixologist and Master of Fun
Hot Mulled Cider
The fun thing about this recipe is you can use any of these liquors: Rye Whiskey, Laird’s Applejack, Anejo Rum, Bourbon or Cognac.
First, steam fresh apple cider.
Add allspice, cinnamon, and cloves (you could also be a baller and buy Williams-Sonoma’s mulled cider spice kit – much better!) and pour into a mug.
Add 1 ½ oz of one of the above liquors to the mug.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick or a dollop of whipped cream!