When the temperature starts to drop, we don’t necessarily have the same cravings for an ice cold drink. Here are some fall and winter alternatives to take the winters edge off.

Cranberry Warmer

Ingredients
1. 4 cups cranberry cocktail
2. 4 cups pineapple juice
3. 2 cups orange juice
4. 1/2 cup brown sugar
5. 2 tbsp cloves
6. 2 tbsp cinnamon
7. 2 cups wine

Combine all ingredients, cover and cook on low heat for three hours. Garnish with cinnamon and serve.

Hot Buttered Rum

Ingredients
1. 12 cups water
2. 2 cups rum
3. 1/2 cup brown sugar
4. 1/4 cup margarine
5. 1/4 tsp cinnamon
6. 1/4 tsp nutmeg
7. 1/8 tsp cloves
8. Pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients, cover and cook on low heat for three hours. Garnish with a small pat of margarine and a sprinkle of nutmeg and serve.

Mocha Hot Spot

Ingredients
1. 8 cups prepared coffee
2. 1/2 cup hot chocolate
3. 1/4 cup cream
4. 1/2 cup Kahlua
5. Whipped cream
6. Grated chocolate

Combine all ingredients, cover and cook on low heat for three hours. When poured, add whipped cream and grated chocolate on the top of each to garnish.

Mulled Wine

Ingredients
1. 8 cups dry red wine
2. 2/3 cup corn syrup
3. 3 cinnamon sticks
4. 1 tsp allspice
5. 1 tsp cloves
6. 1 orange, sliced
7. 1 tsp lemon juice
8. 2 cups cranberry cocktail

Combine all ingredients, cover and cook on low heat for three hours. When done, remove cinnamon sticks and serve.

Hot Buttered Hazelnut Whiskey

Ingredients
1. 4 parts milk
2. 1 cinnamon stick
3. 2 parts whiskey
4. 1 part frangelico
5. Whipped cream
6. Cinnamon

Bring the milk and cinnamon stick to a boil. Turn down heat and allow to simmer for twenty minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and remove cinnamon stick. Pour milk into serving glasses, add whiskey and frangelico and stir. Garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon.

Autumn Apple Cider And Champagne Sangria

Ingredients
1. 3 apples, sliced
2. 1/2 cup dried cranberries
3. 1/2 cup halved, dried figs
4. 1 cup Cabernet Sauvignon
5. 3 cups apple cider
6. 4 whole cinnamon sticks
7. 1/2 tbsp whole cloves
8. 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher and chill in the refrigerator overnight. Add champagne before you serve.

Winter Sangria With Citrus And Pomegranate

Ingredients
1. 1 pear, sliced
2. 4 clementines, sliced
3. 1 apple, seeded and sliced
4. 1 cup pomegranate arils
5. 1/4 cup raw cane sugar
6. 1 cinnamon stick
7. 1 bottle red wine
8. 3 cups pomegranate juice
9. 1 cup orange juice
10. Ginger ale or club soda for serving
11. Ice cubes

In the bottom of a large pitcher, combine sliced fruit and pomegranate. Sprinkle with cane sugar and add the cinnamon stick. Pour in the red wine and fruit juices. Stir well and refrigerate overnight or for at least six hours. When serving top with ginger ale or club soda to taste.

Egg Nog

Ingredients
1. 4 cups milk
2. 5 whole cloves
3. 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4. 1 tsp ground cinnamon
5. 12 egg yolks
6. 1 1/2 cups sugar
7. 2 1/2 cups light rum
8. 4 cups light cream
9. 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Mix cloves, milk, 1/2 tsp of the vanilla extract and cinnamon in a saucepan and heat at a low setting for about four minutes or until it comes to a slow boil. Take a large bowl and combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Then, whisk the hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour the whisked mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium heat for about three minutes, stirring continuously. Do not boil. Strain the mixture to remove the cloves and let cool for about an hour. Now stir in rum, cream, and the other 2 tsp of vanilla along with the nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving. Serve chilled.

All of these drink recipes are great for company or for family functions. Plus, there’s nothing better than a nice hot drink on a cold day. I hope you try them out and enjoy the results!

xo Stephanie