Partially in honour for National Sangria day on the 20th and Christmas party season upon us, I thought I’d share some delicious (and easy) drink recipes! If you don’t drink alcohol, no worries, I made sure that all of these drinks can be made virgin. Happy drinking, Warriors!
Apple Cider Cranberry Sangria
Ingredients:
2 granny smith apples, diced 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries 1 bottle white wine* (such as moscato) 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice (100% juice blend) 2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled
* can replace with ginger ale
Instructions:
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Add apples and cranberries to large pitcher. Pour in white wine and cranberry juice. Stir to combine.
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Place pitcher in refrigerator. Chill 1-2 hours or until ready to serve.
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To serve, add chilled sparkling apple cider to sangria. Stir gently and pour into glasses.
Mulled Wine with Cranberries
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 pieces star anise
3 cups dry red wine (such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
Instructions:
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In a large saucepan, combine the cranberry juice cocktail, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Simmer for 15 minutes.
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Stir in the wine and cranberries and bring back to a simmer. Serve warm.
Virgin Recipe:
Ingredients:
600 ml Cranberry Juice 250 ml Apple Juice 150 ml Orange Juice 2 Tsps Honey Oranges (Sliced)
2 Cinnamon (sticks) 2 Star Anise 10 Cloves 2 Bay leaves 30 g Ginger (Dried) 1/2 teaspoon Orange (peel zested) A small pinch Nutmeg (of) 5 pods Cardamom
Instructions:
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In a pot add sugar and orange juice. Boil till the consistency turns thicker and becomes syrupy.
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Add mulling spices and all the other juices. Bring to a boil and simmer for five minutes. Turn off the flame and let it rest for 2 hours to allow the spices to infuse.
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Strain the spice mix, reserving cinnamon stick, orange slices and star anise for garnishing into the glasses. Ladle them into the glasses and add the garnish before serving.
Easy Blender Eggnog
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy cream
½ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
4 large eggs
¾ cup brandy****optional
Instructions:
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In a medium saucepan, bring the heavy cream, sugar, and nutmeg just to a simmer.
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In a blender, blend the eggs on low speed for 1 minute. With the motor running, gradually add the hot cream mixture. Blend until frothy, about 30 seconds more. Add the brandy and blend to combine. Serve warm.
Chai Toddy
Ingredients:
One part chai tea concentrate One part whole milk 1 star anise 1 oz. cognac/brandy**
1 oz. DeKuyper Buttershots liqueur or butterscotch schnapps ** 1/2 graham cracker, crushed and powdered ** optional
Instructions:
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Bring chai tea concentrate and milk to a simmer over medium-low heat. Stir in star anise to flavor.
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Remove from heat. In a mug add brandy and butterscotch liqueur.
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Pour chai tea mixture into mug.
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Stir slightly and dust with crushed graham cracker.
Pink Greyhound
Ingredients:
1/2 oz pink grapefruit juice 1 1/2 oz vodka**
** can substitute with club soda or tonic water
Instructions:
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Add grapefruit juice and vodka to a small glass filled with ice. Stir well. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday and cheers!