Top Four Christmas Drink Recipes for Holiday Party Cheer

While beer and a good bottle of wine may be all that some serve for their Christmas holiday party, there are some drinks that are really special. These classic drink recipes hearken back to yesteryear, and will introduce a taste sensation to your party guests. Christmas wassail, hot buttered rum, swedish glogg, and mulled wine are traditional alcoholic drinks for this time of year. Warming, delicious, and steeped with tradition, these four Christmas drink recipes will triumph at you holiday part.

Christmas Wassail

A classic Christmas wassail, perfect for sipping after a chilly evening of carolling, is made with the following ingredients: 2 quarts apple cider, 2 cups orange juice, 1 cup lemon juice, 1.5 cups pineapple juice, 4 to 6 whole cloves, sugar or honey to taste, one half a fifth of vodka, and three small oranges and cloves for a garnish.

Begin by simmering all the juices, the cloves, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Cool, strain, and add the vodka. Each warm cupful can be garnished with orange slices and cloves.

Hot Buttered Rum

Hot buttered rum is an easy hot Christmas drink to make in individual servings. In a tall glass, pour about 2 ounces of rum and add the juice of a small lemon. Fill the glass with very hot or boiling water and then stir in 1.5 teaspoons of brown sugar and 1.5 tablespoons of sweet butter. Stir it around until it is melted.

This hearty drink is a favorite on cold winter evenings. You can garnish it with a twist of lemon peel or a slice of lemon.

Swedish Glogg

This hot drink recipe is hearty and strong, but requires an hour or more to simmer to perfection. Put all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low with the cover on. Begin with one bottle each of port wine and claret. A half cup of apricot brandy is poured in next. Add half a cup of raisins or currants, six dried chopped apricot halves, twelve almonds, four cloves, two sticks of cinnamon, and four whole cardamoms.

Mulled Wine