Drunken Elfs Kitchen

Drink

Drinks for one, and you have a nice evening to yourself. Drinks for two or three, and it’s happy hour. A WHOLE BOWL of sparkling Christmas Punch? We have ourselves a party!

Recipe

1Sparkling Wine. Use a very dry sparkling wine. It doesn’t matter what the wine’s country of origin is, as long as it is labeled “brut,” which is the driest, dryer even than wine labeled “extra dry” (Tip: think “brutally dry”). Champagne, cava, and Prosecco are all fair game. Apple Cider + Ginger Ale. Adds balance and dynamic flavor. Dark Rum or Brandy. Rich, spicy, and fun. I preferred this as a Christmas rum punch, but if you’d like something a little sweeter, brandy is a good option. Oranges. For a hint of citrus and beautiful color. Cranberries. Fresh cranberries are important here. I love the look of fresh cranberries floating on top too. Cranberries and oranges are the perfect holiday garnishes. And, lots of ice!

Drink

Coquito is a creamy Puerto Rican holiday cocktail made with coconut, rum, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more. This easy family recipe has been passed down through the generations. It’s so good you won’t want to share!

Recipe

Flavor. The biggest difference is that a coquito is coconut flavored. Coquito is made with a combination of rum, creamy coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and warm spices. Usually, no eggs. Occasionally coquito is made with eggs, but most recipes – like this one – are made without eggs. Eggnog, as its name implies, is made using eggs along with milk or heavy cream. Kind of liquor. A Coquito can use rum, but more often is made with brandy, bourbon, or whiskey. Eggnog is traditionally made with rum or bourbon. So in this sense, a Coquito is more flexible in terms of what kind of alcohol you can use.

Drink

If you prefer a Christmas cocktail over dessert after a big holiday dinner, try this gingerbread martini. It’s a simple four-ingredient cocktail with a foolproof formula. Equal parts of vodka, creme de cacao, homemade gingerbread syrup, and half-and-half are shaken until creamy and frothy. Top each martini with a dollop of whipped cream and serve with a freshly-baked gingerbread cookie for the perfect, festive Christmas treat.

Recipe

2 oz. vodka 2 oz. creme de cacao 2 oz. gingerbread syrup 2 oz. half-and-half Whipped cream, to serve Gingerbread cookies, to serve

Drink

I absolutely love eggnog! I have nothing against store-bought eggnog–we have it all the time in our fridge this time of year–but this homemade eggnog recipe is truly what dreams are made of! If you’ve ever thought you didn’t like it, you just have to try it made from scratch.

Recipe

6 large egg yolks 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 cups milk 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg pinch of salt 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract ground cinnamon , for topping alcohol optional, see note

Drink

Cranberry adds a festive, colorful twist to your favorite cocktail, the Aperol spritz. Still bubbly and refreshing, it will make you feel like you're sipping the drink in the Mediterranean during the wintertime. It’s a fun drink to make for friends at your holiday brunch to get everyone in the festive mood. If you don't want it to be too sweet, you can swap the cranberry juice cocktail for 100% cranberry juice.

Recipe

12 oz. Aperol 12 oz. cranberry juice cocktail Juice of 1/2 orange 20 oz. Prosecco Ice Fresh cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs, for serving