What’s your favorite punch to serve at holiday parties? Do you have a signature cocktail or mocktail?
Spiked Punches
Here are three fabulous cocktails to serve at your next party.
(Money-saving tip: Skip expensive wine and liquor in these recipes.
There’s no point in buying good stuff when you’re mixing it with
lots of other ingredients.)
Spiced Hot Cider
This yummy spiked version of hot cider features applejack and
cinnamon schnapps for a festive punch.
Very Merry Punch
There was a time when every household had its own recipe for spiced
hot-wine punch. Folks would roam from house to house testing each
one. With the blend of flavors in this punch, revelers at your
house might never move on to other houses on the block.
Whispering Wreath
This warm mixture is a distinctive twist on the classic hot
buttered rum.
Nonalcoholic Punches
When it comes to delicious, nonalcoholic beverages, my perennial
go-to is mulled apple cider. It’s elegant without being fussy.
People go crazy for it and the kids can drink it too. Plus, it
fills the house with yummy spicy fragrances—your friends will think
you've been baking all day! (No one-drink limit here, so make
an extra batch or two.)
Fireside Mulled Cider
Cinnamon, cloves and ginger infuse apple cider with amazing
flavor.
Sleigh Driver (recipe below)
This scrumptious nonalcoholic punch adds pear, cranberries and
vanilla for a twist on the traditional hot cider.
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
3 pears, chopped into bite-size pieces, divided
2 quarts apple cider
1 lemon, halved and sliced
1 tablespoon ground allspice
1 cup fresh cranberries
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1. Combine water, sugar, ginger and 1 pear in a large saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
Strain out the solids and return the mixture to the pan.
2. Add the remaining pears, cider, lemon and allspice and heat over
medium-high heat, stirring often, for 15 minutes.
3. Add cranberries and vanilla and reduce the heat to medium-low
(the liquid should be simmering, not boiling). Let simmer for 10
minutes more. Serve in heat-safe mugs.
Makes 10 servings, about 1 cup each.
Per serving: 169 calories; 0 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 42 g carbohydrate; 0 g protein; 2 g fiber; 2 mg sodium; 61 mg potassium.
By Penelope Wall
Penelope is a web producer and writer for EatingWell.com. When she's not busy geeking out at the computer, she loves cooking and trying new recipes on her friends. Some of her favorite foods are dark chocolate, coffee, apples, sweet potatoes and cheese.
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