So little time, so many drinks! That seems to be my mantra each year, and I'm not alone in that sentiment. Imbibers the world over are readying their pallet even before they've sampled their first morsel of Thanksgiving turkey, making their way through fall pumpkin beers to copious amounts of Christmas beer cheer.
But man cannot live on beer alone - especially at Christmastime, which is why I'm sharing this list of Christmas drinks that are as spirited as any that visited Ebenezer Scrooge: holiday mimosas, cider, rum, mulled wine, egg nog and even peppermint martinis. What could be more festive? Drink up!
Cranberry Cider Gingerbread Mimosa - This is a nice little Sunday morning drink I like to think that I invented, although that's probably not the case. Take a dash of Hiram Walker Gingerbread Liqueur, a dash of cranberry juice, a dash of orange juice, and a dash of - you guessed it - apple cider, then add as much as you see fit of champagne, prosecco or cava, and you have the famous Richard Christy Cranberry Cider Gingerbread Mimosa! So festive and delicious, it's my brunch drink of choice every December.
Millstone Cider - I'll confess that this is my favorite cider in the world, mostly because Maryland Millstone Cellars has elevated cider to a new level. Unlike other ciders I've tried, Millstone's tastes like a cross between cider, sour beer and lambic. I can easily imagine the pilgrims drinking it with their families at a Christmas celebration of long ago. Millstone's ciders would pair well with any Christmas dinner. My personal favorite is the company's Farmgate Cider, although each of its offerings is utterly delicious. I'd recommend anything Millstone makes.
Mulled Wine aka Glühwein - I discovered this wonderfully festive drink at the most Christmas-y bar I've ever visited: Rolf's on 22nd Street and 3rd Avenue in New York City. I caught the Travel Channel's feature on Rolf's at Christmastime in 1997, and I've been a regular there every holiday season since. Glühwein - which is translated roughly from German as "glow wine" from the hot irons once use for mulling - is a warm spice wine that is typically served at German Christmas markets. It will warm your heart and tantalize your taste buds and is even fairly easy to make yourself using affordable red wine and some spices. Recipes are available online, but I would suggest making the trip to NYC for Glühwein at Rolf's (where the decorations are insane!). It's like drinking Christmas.
Hot Apple Cider with Rum - This classic holiday drink proves there is order to the universe after all. How else to explain that the simplest drink to make is also the most delicious? Just heat up some apple cider and drop in a little rum. That's all there is to it. Enjoy it while sitting outside on your porch - or in my case, the balcony - while watching the Christmas lights twinkle or the falling snow. Spice it up a bit with a dash of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick, and you've really got something great. You can use whiskey or other spirits in place of the rum, but there's no substitute for dark rum as far as I'm concerned.
Egg Nog - This traditional holiday drink that consists of milk, cream sugar and whipped eggs (that's where the frothy texture comes from) is a little bit complicated to make yourself, but it's well worth the effort. Made correctly, egg nog is as much a meal as it is a drink, so I'm usually full after one glass. But since it's time of the year to throw away all diet concerns and indulge, I go the extra mile! Non-alcoholic egg nogs are available in abundance. Just add your own rum or whiskey. Or look for the premixed versions that already contain alcohol that are for sale at most local liquor stores.
Peppermint Martini - I've never made a peppermint martini, but I can't resist them when I spot them on a menu. At those moments, I've been known to jump up and down with glee like a little kid on Christmas morning! Peppermint martinis are also known as candy cane martinis and they sometimes even include a candy cane or are served in glasses with rims coated in candy cane sugar. Masso in Queens, New York, makes the best one I've ever tasted, but this might be the year I attempt to make my first while my wife whips up a batch of her delicious Christmas cookies.
Samuel Adams Utopia and Triple Bock - I've been hooked on Samuel Adams Triple Bock since 1995. Technically a beer but tasting more like a brandy, Triple Bock set the bar for holiday beers in the mid '90s. It's discontinued, so those who want to sample it will have to hit up their beer aficionado friends who own beer cellars. If you don't know anyone who was wise enough to stock up, Samuel Adams makes another one called Utopia that tastes like chocolate port wine brandy. Buy two cases: one for drinking and the other to put away for a special Christmas occasion - like an engagement, wedding or birth!
Peppermint Bark Vodka Coffee - This is a twist on Irish Coffee - a cozy little drink made with coffee, creamer (preferably egg nog or peppermint creamer if you can find it) and a little Pinnacle Peppermint Bark vodka. It's just right for when you need a pick-me-up to keep the festivities going!
I hope you've enjoyed these festive suggestions. Please feel free to share your favorites in the comments section below. In the meantime, I'll close with a fitting rhyme:
May you all have wonderful holidays with your kith and kin
while enjoying apple cider, egg nog, and possibly gin!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Richard Christy is a radio personality, musician and longtime beer lover. He can be reached on Twitter @cwotd.
