Snowbird Style

Four Classic Holiday Beverages

Snowbird holidays, whether in your Northern or Southern home, are extra special with the following four classic holiday beverages. Nothing says warm and cozy like rich, creamy eggnog, toasty hot chocolate or warm mulled wine. Serve a beautiful Champagne Poinsettia for your holiday brunch or festive cocktail party. No special equipment is needed to make these easy and impressive beverages, but fresh, high quality ingredients are what make them "snowbird style." The recipes are inspired by a community outreach class my husband and I attended just for fun. Although the beverages are traditionally associated with the holidays, they're terrific throughout the winter season. Cheers!

Easy Mulled Wine

Recommended: Malbac Wine

Four servings

One 750 ml bottle of red wine, such as Malbac, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon

3 parts Amaro di ANGOSTURA® bitters

Simmer one 750 ml bottle of red wine with a ratio of 10 parts wine to 3 parts Amaro di ANGOSTURA® bitters. Serve warm in a heat-resistant glass.

Hot Chocolate

Recommended: Dark Chocolate

One Serving

6 oz. whole milk

1 oz. chocolate, such as milk or dark chocolate, chocolate syrup or a powdered mix

1 1/2 oz. liquor such as bourbon or brandy

Bring milk to a simmer, stirring frequently, then add your favorite chocolate. The more decadent the chocolate, the better. Remove from stove top and add liquor. Serve in a coffee cup or Irish coffee mug.

Garnish with toasted marshmallows, crushed candy canes, freshly ground cinnamon or nutmeg.

Champagne Poinsettia

Recommended: Champagne or Prosecco

One Serving

Lighter in alcohol and beautiful, this popular holiday drink is perfect for a festive evening or brunch anytime of the year. Inexpensive to moderately priced champagne is fine because the cranberry juice dominates. Optional: add half an ounce of vodka to increase the alcohol intensity.

3 oz. Champagne, Prosecco or sparkling wine

3 oz. cranberry juice

one-half oz. orange liqueur

5 - 6 cranberries, frozen

Chill liquid ingredients. Mix liquids together, stir and serve in a champagne glass, martini glass or wine glass. Garnish with frozen cranberries.

Eggnog

Eggnog can be prepared in advance to allow flavors to develop. It can be kept refrigerated for months or longer.

One Serving

2 oz. liquor, such as rum, brandy, rye

1 oz. half and half

1 oz. demerara cane sugar syrup (2:1 sugar to water)

1 whole egg

Whisk egg, then whisk in the half and half, followed by the sugar and then liquor. Serve in a chilled Irish Whiskey mug and garnish with fresh shaved nutmeg or cinnamon.

Eggnog Batch Recipe

Recommended: Best results with a blender

12 Servings

24 oz. liquor, such as rum, brandy, rye

12 oz. half and half

12 oz. demerara cane sugar syrup (2:1 sugar to water)

12 whole eggs

Mix eggs in a blender, then blend in the half and half, followed by the sugar and then liquor. Serve in a chilled Irish Whiskey mug and garnish with fresh shaved nutmeg or cinnamon.