For those who are currently going out to the bars, ordering the same mixed drink at the bar again and again can get old quickly. As the holidays approach, getting into the spirit is easy when your drink has the wonderful flavors of winter.
For those ages 21 and above, VALLEY has some new suggestions for your cocktail of choice. You order these festive bevs at the bar or make them at home!
Mulled Wine
This warm drink is perfect on a cooler night. Some places might not serve mulled wine since it does require some cooking, but you can follow this simple recipe to create this flavorful wine drink at home.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 bottle red wine
- 1 orange
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anises
- 8 whole cloves
- 2-4 tablespoons sugar, maple syrup or honey
What You’ll Do:
- Combine the ingredients in a saucepan.
- Heat the wine until it comes to a simmer. Do not let it bubble, that will burn out the alcohol (aka. the good stuff). Lower heat to low and cover. Let simmer for at least 15 minutes or max 3 hours.
- Using a mesh strainer, strain and discard oranges, cloves, cinnamon and star anises. Taste wine and add sweetener as needed.
- Serve in mugs and enjoy!
Apple Cider Mimosa
What is better than a mimosa? A mimosa with apple cider inside! The perfect brunch drink paired with a classic fall staple.
What You’ll Need:
- Champagne
- Apple Cider
- Caramel
- Sugar
What You’ll Do:
- Dip the rim of a glass into the caramel and coat the rim with sugar.
- Combine champagne with apple cider in a glass. The less apple cider you use, the stronger the drink.
- Feel free to garnish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice and enjoy!
Spiked Eggnog
A Christmas classic, that we all kind of forgot had alcohol in it. Referred to as “milk punch,” spiked eggnog is the perfect boozy cocktail for all of your holiday gatherings.
What You’ll Need:
- 12 eggs with whites separated from yolks
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 quart rye whiskey
- 1 pint Jamaican Rum
- 1 pint milk
What You’ll Do:
- Beat yolks with sugar until fully combined.
- Beat egg whites until frothy in a separate bowl. Once frothy, add 2/3 of the egg whites mixture in with the yolk/sugar mixture. Combine.
- Slowly pour in rye whiskey and rum into egg/sugar mixture. Slowly combine as you pour.
- Slowly pour in milk and combine.
- Stir in the remaining 1/3 of the egg whites mixture.
- Top with nutmeg and keep refrigerated until served.
Caramel Snickerdoodle Martini
A cookie flavored martini? Yes, you heard that right. This drink incorporates the sugary and rich flavors of a snickerdoodle cookie into an elegant martini. You can wow your friends and family by following this recipe.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/4 cups caramel (warmed)
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 oz. Smirnoff Kissed Caramel (or any caramel vodka)
- Ground cinnamon
- Ice
- Whipped cream and cinnamon sticks, for garnish
What You’ll Do:
- Place caramel on a plate and the sugar on another. Dip the rim of a glass into the caramel and then the sugar.
- Add heavy cream, vodka and cinnamon sugar into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until cold.
- Pour into glass and top with whipped cream and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy.
Vodka Cranberry
Babes, go ahead, be basic. Cranberry is a seasonal flavor that just so happens to pair deliciously with vodka. It is pretty simple to make and you can order it at any bar or restaurant. To make a “vodka cran” just take your favorite vodka and pair it with some cranberry juice. Voila, vodka cranberry.
*VALLEY does not support underage drinking. Please remember to always drink responsibly.
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