4 Hot Winter Drinks To Keep Your Guests Warm & Comfy
Winter holiday season is a wonderful time to present your very best to beloved patrons, Christmas fair visitors or family. If you are a restaurant owner, a home chef, or just hosting your first fancy get-together, we’ve got the recipes and glassware to make them (and we mean you!) shine. Arcoroc is everyday proof that function and style work alongside each other perfectly. Check out our recipes and ideas for making your holiday gatherings elegantly effortless!
WASSAIL
What is Wassail anyway? As a noun, it’s a savory but fruity beverage of hot mulled cider normally prepared in a crock pot. Basically, there’s no difference between wassail and cider except how it is served. But the word ‘Wassail’ looks far more graceful than the word ‘cider’ on a party invite.
Pro Tip: Allow the guests to pour their own shot of whiskey or rum. You’ll be glad you did!
Ingredients:
- 4 c apple cider
- 2 cups of orange juice
- ¼ c lemon juice
- 8 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 4 pieces candied ginger
- Orange slices/Cinnamon sticks (garnish)
- Rum or Whiskey
Directions:
Bring everything to a boil stovetop, strain out spices (optional) and serve warm in a crock pot. Garnish with cinnamon sticks or orange slices.
Serve in:
7.25oz White Glass Coffee/Tea Cup
21.5oz Tumbler Glass Willi Becher
12oz Tall Wine Glass Rutherford
MULLED WINE
Another once-a-year classic, Mulled Wine is sometimes called Spiced Wine. If you are having a party on a budget, this is the beverage for you! You can easily prepare it, and walk away from it and let your guests happily serve themselves. Favorite choices for making Mulled Wine are dry reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. But, any red will do. Simply keep it warm or room temp and add slices of orange, honey, spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks floating on the top. And what a heavenly aroma!
Ingredients:
- 1 orange, sliced and seeded
- ½ c sugar
- 2 c water
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 bottle of red wine (I recommend the darker and cheaper the better. No one will know.)
- Orange slices for garnish
Directions:
Combine orange, sugar, water, spices in a pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Transfer to a stock pot, add wine and float orange slices on the top.
Serve in:
11.75 oz. Double Old Fashion/Rocks Glass
CLASSIC EGGNOG
Everyone swears their Eggnog recipe is the best, but this is the basic version that stands the test of holiday time. Monks used to drink this milky-ale libation in the 13th century and called it ‘posset.’ But, Eggnog sounds infinitely more regal, doesn’t it?
Pro Tip: Serve from a large bowl with a ladle.
Ingredients:
- 3 c full fat milk
- 1 c heavy whipping cream
- 1 c rum
- ½ c sugar (you can use a sugar substitute, but why bother)?
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tb vanilla extract
- Spice Blend:
- 7 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5 black peppercorns
- Pinch of nutmeg
Directions:
Heat milk with all the spices, stirring carefully, until thickened. Add vanilla, remove from heat. Strain out the spices.
In a blender, whip eggs, rum, sugar, milk mixture and slowly add cream, pulsing every few minutes to develop a good froth. Pour into serving bowl and ladle into cups or mugs. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Serve in:
7.25oz White Glass Coffee/Tea Cups
HOT TODDY
Known as hot whiskey in Ireland, a hot toddy is typically a mixed drink made of hard liquor, diluted with water (you’ll be glad you did!) and honey, a cinnamon stick and a generous squeeze from a lemon wedge. Like most Irish recipes, Hot Toddy recipes can vary but they are most consumed as ‘night cap’ and even to alleviate the symptoms of a cold or flu before bed. If you are hosting out-of-town guests, this is a perfect way to end a day of holiday activity.
Ingredients:
- 1½ ounce brown liquor such as brandy, whiskey or rum
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup hot water
- Cinnamon Stick
- Lemon Wedge
Directions:
Combine the first three ingredients in a wine glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick and a squeeze from a lemon wedge.
Serve in:
9oz Stemless Tumbler/Wine Glass
By Shannon Llewellyn for McDonald Paper & Restaurant Supplies
