Festive Holiday Cocktails

Sunday December 19, 2010

"Jingle All the Way" this season with holiday-inspired cocktail recipes from Nightclub & Bar Magazine.

You don't need Santa's little helpers to help you create the perfect holiday atmosphere. Add a bit of cinnamon, some eggnog, cranberries or nutmeg, and you have the makings of a festive cocktail menu that will keep guests in the holiday spirit.

With the help of Nightclub & Bar Magazine, you'll be sure to warm up this December with these festive holiday recipes.

Jingle Bell Rocks

?Created by Nicole Rheaume of Mombo in Portsmouth, N.H., for Vermont Gold Vodka.

1 1/2 ounces Vermont Gold Vodka
3 ounces tonic water
1 ounce sparkling cider
4-5 muddled cranberries
1 sprig rosemary

In a shaker, muddle cranberries. Add ice and Vermont Gold Vodka and shake vigorously. Pour into a rocks glass and top with tonic water and sparking cider. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

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Apple Pie Nog

?Courtesy of Travis Hasse's Original Pie Liqueurs.

1 quart eggnog
16 ounces Hasse's Apple Pie Liqueur
2-4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Combine all ingredients in a blender for a quick blend. Pour into glass. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Makes 12 4-ounce servings.

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Espresso Reeftini

On the menu at Reef Road Restaurant & Rum Bar in West Palm Beach, Fla.

1 ounce espresso
1/2� ounce Thai coconut milk
1/2 ounce agave nectar
1/2 ounce Araku Coffee Liqueur
1 1/2 ounces vanilla-infused Stolichnaya

Shake, strain and sieve into rimmed cocktail glass. Rim the glass with blended dried coconut, dark chocolate and vanilla bean.

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Dobel Ponche Cocktail

Mexico is notorious for their jarring celebrations. However, unbeknownst to many Americans, Mexicans celebrate many elements of the holiday season in addition to the actual Christmas celebration, including Las Posadas; the nine day celebration beginning December 16. Las Posadas, which is Spanish for "lodging," symbolizes love, acceptance and generosity to others seeking help (lodging).

To celebrate Los Posadas, each family in the neighborhood schedules a night for "Posada" to be held in their home. Members of the community travel from home to home, singing traditional Christmas carols and requesting lodging through song.

Requests are denied until members reach the host family's home, where they are greeted with a lavish celebration and enormous feast - complete with, you guessed it - TEQUILA!

To aid in the celebration, Mexican families make enormous barrels of ponche, a traditional Mexican Christmas drink made with apples, sugar cane, prunes, tejocotes and TEQUILA!

In honor of this mega celebration and just in time for your holiday parties, DOBEL Tequila has created the DOBEL Ponche Cocktail, adding a unique twist to this traditional drink. The Dobel Ponche Cocktail is sure to spice up your holiday season, while giving you a taste of Mexico.

Ingredients:

2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut in 1/8ths
3/4 cup raisins
1 pound guava, quartered
3 (3 to 4-inch) pieces sugarcane, each cut in strips
1/2 cup prunes
1/2 pound crabapples, peeled and cored
2 cups (1-inch) diced pineapple
8 large strawberries
1 cup sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
8 cups water
8 oz. of DOBEL Tequila
Orange slices to garnish

Method:

In a large pot, place the fruit, sugar, cinnamon, and 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil and lower heat and simmer for 1 hour. Let chill and add tequila. Serves over ice and garnish with an orange slice.

(Serves 8)

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Kahlúa Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolate

2 parts Milk
1 part Drinking Chocolate
1 part Kahl�a Peppermint Mocha
Bring milk to a simmer. Whisk in drinking chocolate. Simmer for 30 seconds while stirring. Add Kahl�a Peppermint Mocha. Garnish with peppermint stick and marshmallows.

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