Beverage Monday.

Christmas Cocktails

Here are some warm Christmas drinks to share with friends and one just for yourself. Just the thing to warm you up after a night of caroling, parade watching or shopping.

Clarence's Hot Cranberry Toddy
This is named after the Clarence in "It's A Wonderful Life".

Serves 3-4

• 6 oz. cranberry vodka
• 1 pint cranberry juice
• 2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 3 tsp. honey
• 6 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• Cinnamon sticks (garnish)

In a medium sauce pan heat all the ingredients {except the vodka} to just about the boiling point. Let stand for 1 minute. Add cranberry vodka and stir. Pour into heat-resistant cocktail glass or Irish coffee mug. Garnish with cinnamon sticks.

Mistletoe and Holly Cocktail

Serves 4

• 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice (100 percent juice)
• 1/4 cup white creme de cacao
• 1/4 cup 100-proof peppermint schnapps
• 1/4 cup heavy cream lightly whipped with 1 tsp. sugar for garnish
• 12 fresh cranberries {garnish}
• pinch of Matcha powder for garnish

Pour cranberry juice into a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Lower heat, add creme de cacao and peppermint schnapps and stir to blend and release some of the alcohol. Continue to cook over low heat for exactly 1 minute. Pour the hot beverage into Irish coffee mugs {footed glass mugs} and place a small dollop of whipped cream in each. Garnish with cranberry skewers. {3 cranberries on a bamboo skewer or heat proof swizzle stick} Use a fine-mesh sieve to gently tap a light dusting of Matcha over the whipped cream. Serve hot.

Cocoa Raspberry Heaven

Serves 1

• 1 oz. plus 1 tsp. Chambord
• 1 oz. white crème de cacao
• 8 oz. hot chocolate
• Whipped cream
• 1 fresh raspberry (optional)

Pour raspberry liqueur and white crème de cacao in a cappuccino mug.
Add hot chocolate and stir. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Drizzle teaspoon of Chambord on top of the whipped cream. Top with a fresh raspberry.

Cheers,

All photos and recipes are courtesy of Fine Living.