Christmas Drinks Tips for Hosts

You have your holiday spread planned for your Christmas party; the ham is in the freezer and your casserole is in the oven. Only when you start setting the table with glassware do you realize you completely forgot about a key component to the meal: the drinks! You put so much time and effort into preparing the meal, cleaning and decorating the house that you neglected to address your guests’ thirst. Relax. Here are some quick and easy drink ideas you can whip up (or purchase pre-made) in no time.

1)     Wine and Champagne

Wine and champagne are usually a party favorite. Plus, there is no prep work involved! Just make a run to the nearest liquor or fine wine store. If you are getting wine, it’s a good idea to have both a white and a red variety so you can please all your guests’ diverse tastes. Your wine should also accent the meal you are serving.

2)     Eggnog

Eggnog is a traditional Christmas beverage. It has a thick consistency and bold flavor that many love. It’s made from a combination of milk, cream, sugar and beaten eggs. Allrecipes.com has several variations of eggnog recipes. Some contain alcohol, but you can always choose to make a non-alcoholic version.

3)     Hot Chocolate

The velvety texture and rich flavor of hot chocolate make it a great choice for Christmas. If you are in a big rush, you can make an instant variety, or brew up a batch from scratch on the stovetop. (HINT: Children love hot chocolate, so you may want to have some on hand for the little ones.) Top off your warm chocolate drinks with marshmallows or whipped cream for a decadent treat.

4)     Apple Cider

Apple cider is known not only for its sweet flavor but also for its delightful aroma. If you make apple cider for your guests, your whole house will be filled with a pleasant apple scent. Apple cider may be served hot or cold. If you’re short on time, just pick up a jug of apple cider at the store. It usually comes in a jug much like milk, and it’s easy to find around the holidays.

5)     Cranberry Drink

Cranberry drinks are great for Thanksgiving and Christmas, because cranberries are harvested in the fall and through the winter. You can find so many great recipes for cranberry drinks, such as:

Cranberry juices
Cranberry teas
Cranberry cocktails
Cranberry punches
Cranberry martinis
Cranberry ciders

If you need something pre-made, you can purchase cranberry juice at any grocery store. Punches can be made quickly with few ingredients and are great for larger crowds. Alcoholic, nonalcoholic, light, bold… your options are endless with this ingredient!

Preparing a special drink for your holiday guests shows you put thought into every part of the meal. And here’s the good news: you can prepare a tasty beverage without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Stick to simple recipes with few ingredients. Or, buy pre-made drinks and fool your guests into thinking you made them yourself. Cheers!

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