Can you hear that? It’s sleigh bells ringing and glasses *clinging*, which means the holiday season is fast approaching! What better excuse to have your gals and guys over for a cozy night in with some boozy cocktails! Below you’ll find two festive holiday season cocktails that are both easy to throw together, and special enough to show your guests you care! Please drink responsibly!
Recipes by:Elmé Jordaan
@FreakinthekitchenTO
QUEENS CUP
This cocktail will have you feeling all kinds of fancy and is easy to throw together in a pinch!
What you’ll need (serves 2):
4 oz – Gin (your favorite brand will do)
1 Tbsp – loose leaf Earl Grey tea
2 oz – lemon juice
2 oz – simple syrup (*see below)
Club Soda or Sparkling Wine
What to do:
The evening before, or the morning of your festive shindig, add your tea leaves to the gin and let it infuse throughout the day. Strain before use. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker use a large mason jar.
Add all your ingredients to the shaker/jar with a handful of ice, seal and shake vigorously.
Pour into a goblet of choice over fresh ice, top with a splash of soda or bubbly and call it a day!
If you plan on making multiple of these, which you will, infuse a whole bottle of gin with 7 tbsp of loose leaf tea and keep the party going!
If you’re feeling fancy:
Many bulk food stores sell variations of Earl Grey tea blends, I chose a blend with pretty rose petals. Freeze some of the loose dry leaves in ice to fancify your drink!
HOT & SOUR
Everyone loves a holiday drink that warms you from the inside out. Here’s a recipe the combines the classic New York Sour and the flavors of a toasty mulled wine!
What you’ll need (serves 2):
4oz – whisky (your favorite brand will do)
2oz – spiced simple syrup (*see below)
2 oz – lemon juice
1 egg white (optional)
2 oz – red wine
What to do:
Combine everything but the red wine in a shaker/jar with ice and seal. Shake vigorously; the egg white gives a full texture and frothiness to drink.
Strain and pour over fresh ice in your goblet of choice. Slowly add an ounce of wine to each drink, it’ll float on top! Garnish with lemon rind and/or a cinnamon stick. Cheers!
*Simple Syrup:
Equal parts sugar to water makes a quick simple syrup and can be whipped up the day of. 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water is a great place to start. Add to a saucepan and turn up to medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved. Store it in glass bottle or jar and use as directed.
To make spiced simple syrup for the Hot & Sour, add 1 cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, 3 cloves (these are all readily and cheaply available at bulk food stores) while the sugar dissolves and add them to the bottle as well! This will last up to 2 months in your fridge. Just long enough for cozy holiday drinks!
