Hot and cold holiday drinks


Dec. 13, 2006, midnight | By Iliya Smithka | 17 years, 11 months ago

Get in the spirit with these festive beverages


Winter has arrived, and with it comes the holiday season. Whether you're trying to warm up after a snowball fight or throwing a party to celebrate the holidays, you can use these hot and cold drinks that could make even Scrooge happy.
Autumn Apple Punch

Makes 12 servings


Kitchenware:
- Large, non-aluminum kettle
- Cheesecloth, spice bag or tea infuser
- Punch bowl
- Stove top

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 quarts apple juice
- 1 1/3 cups pineapple juice
- 1/2 cups lemon juice
- 1 pint orange juice
- 1 28-oz bottle ginger ale
- Cloves (add to taste)
- Ice

Preparation:
1. Pour apple juice in kettle.
2. Tie spices in cheesecloth, add to kettle and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
3. Discard spice bag, add pineapple juice, lemon juice and orange juice.
4. Serve in punch bowl, adding ginger ale and ice.

Recipe from "The Doubleday Cookbook"
Hot Chocolate

Makes 6 servings


Kitchenware:
- 6 cups or mugs
- Wire whisk
- Double boiler

Ingredients:
- 12 ounces unsweetened chocolate (substitute with 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips and don't add extra sugar)
- 1/4 cup sugar, more to taste
- 6 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 1 quart boiling water
- 6 tablespoons whipped cream (optional)

Preparation:
1. Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water.
2. Thin chocolate with hot water, stirring with whisk.
3. Add 1 quart boiling water, mix, and bring to a boil.
4. Remove from heat and add sugar, stirring to dissolve, then stir in the half-and-half. Add more sugar to taste.
5. Pour into cups and top each with 1 tablespoon of whipped cream, if desired.

Recipe from "The Art of Russian Cuisine"

Hot Spiced Cider

Makes 12 servings


Kitchenware:
- Large, non-aluminum kettle
- Cheesecloth, spice bag or tea infuser
- Punch bowl or cups
- Stovetop

Ingredients:
- 3 quarts apple cider
- 1 pound light brown sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks, plus 1 for each cup if desired
- 1 dozen whole cloves

Preparation:
1. Pour cider and sugar in kettle.
2. Tie spices in cheesecloth, add to kettle and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
3. Discard spice bag, and serve in punch bowl or cups, adding cinnamon stick if desired.

Recipe from "The Doubleday Cookbook"

Blender Eggnog

Makes 1 serving


Kitchenware:
- Blender
- Cups or mugs

Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- Nutmeg (optional)

Preparation:
1. Blend egg, sugar and vanilla until thick and pale.
2. Add milk and blend on high until frothy.
3. Serve in cups, sprinkling nutmeg on top if desired.

Recipe from "Comfort Food"



Tags: Seasonal

Iliya Smithka. Iliya Smithka will graduate from neither the CAP nor the Magnet Program. However, she somehow managed to get a decent education. While representing no particular program during her stint on Silver Chips Online, Iliya was a spectacular staff writer, although she never really mastered the … More »

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