Recipes: Festive Cocktails

With the weather getting colder and holiday parties in full swing, sometimes the best way to warm up is to fix yourself a cocktail. Now you can always go to the tried-and-true eggnog or brandy, but maybe you’re feeling like something a bit more creative this year. While cocktail recipes can get a little complex sometimes, here are a couple of drinks that can be made with your favorite eco-spirits and some common ingredients out of the cupboard.

Merry Margarita 

• 6 shots tequila

• 1 medium sized lemon

• 6 tablespoons pure maple syrup

• cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg

• vanilla

• Ice

Combine the tequila and maple syrup in a blender with a tray full of ice (add more later if this is not enough) and mix. Add two dashes of nutmeg and a 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla then pulse. Set aside. Combine a tablespoon of sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a saucer. Wet the rim of your margarita glasses with a little water or vanilla, then dip and swirl each glass in the mixture until the rim are coated. Pour your margaritas in the each glass and enjoy! 

If tequila isn’t necessarily your drink of choice, or if you’re looking for something hot to warm your hands and belly, try the following recipe using some of the same ingredients in a whole new way.

Nice and Naughty Toddy

• 1 shot of whiskey

• 1 cup of ginger tea

• A slice of lemon

• 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup

In a small pot, boil water for your tea. We used ginger tea for our toddy, however if ginger isn’t your favorite flavor you can always experiment with your favorite holiday blend. Once you’ve brought your water to a boil steep the tea for 1-2 minutes, or until you’ve reached the desired strength. Once your tea is set, add in your whiskey, syrup, and lemon and you’ve got yourself a toasty toddy to warm you up. The recipe above is for an individual serving, but if you’re making toddies for a group of friends and family add an extra shot, slice of lemon, or spoonful of syrup per cup of tea brewed.

--Jess Krager 

--photo by iStock/dionisvero

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