With Christmas right on our heels, it’s time to start planning our food and drink menus. Follow along for our traditional recommendations, guaranteed to make any holiday gathering just a little bit better!
French 75
This is a light, refreshing option that can easily be served before a meal without putting a damper on your appetite.
Ingredients
1 lemon
1 ½ oz. gin
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. simple syrup
1 c. ice cubes
¼ c. (2 ounces) dry sparkling wine, such as prosecco or brut Champagne, chilled
Instructions
- Use a zester or paring knife to slice lemon peel in a long, thin spiral. Juice lemon and set peel aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake well for 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine.
- Garnish the drink with the lemon twist and serve immediately.
Hot Toddy
This is the coziest option for a blustery evening, ensuring all of your guests are warm and enjoying themselves.
Ingredients
1 oz. bourbon
1 Tbsp. mild honey
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
¼ cup boiling-hot water
Cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the bourbon, honey, and lemon juice in a 6-ounce mug, topping with hot water.
- Stir until honey has dissolved. Add a cinnamon stick for garnish.
Mulled Apple Cider
Spicy and simple, this cider is terrific to warm up a cold winter’s night!
Ingredients
2 qt. apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
2 allspice berries
2 cloves
1 orange, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a simmer.
- Serve hot in individual mugs.
Eggnog
No Christmas is complete without traditional eggnog. It may sound intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple.
Ingredients
6 large egg yolks
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 c. heavy whipping cream
2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
ground cinnamon to top
Instructions
- Whisk the yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl until light and creamy.
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt. Stir frequently until simmering.
- Add a heaping spoonful of the hot milk to temper the egg mixture and whisk vigorously. Repeat, adding a large spoonful at a time, to continue tempering the eggs.
- Once most of the milk has been added, pour it back into the saucepan on the stove.
- Whisk constantly until the mixture is just slightly thickened (or until it reaches about 160 degrees F on a thermometer).
- Remove from heat and add the vanilla.
- Pour into a pitcher or other container and cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate until chilled. It will thicken as it cools.
- Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon and fresh whipped cream.
- Store in the fridge for up to one week.
Visit Us
For all your liquor, wine and beer needs this Holiday season, come see us at 3rd Street Beverage in Bend, Oregon. Whether you’re making one of these delicious recipes or just need to stock up, we have everything you’ll need to be sure everything goes off without a hitch!
