The time between now and the end of the year has historically been filled with lots of celebrating. And drinking. So I wanted to share some festive drinks in honor of the season. Now, around this time of year I always go browsing for yummy drink recipes that I want to try. Somehow, I never get to the part where I actually make any of them. However, this time I’m determined to make something between now and the new year. I just haven’t decided what yet. Problem is, I can’t make up my mind whether to choose something hot, cold, spicy, fruity, minty, chocolaty etc. There are just too many option. Should I go with mulled wine, spiced cider,  eggnog, or something else? Do I want to use rum, vodka, scotch, whisky, bourbon or something else? See what I mean? The only thing I’m sure of is that I’m leaning towards making something from @TipsyBartender. I recently ran across Tipsy Bartender on Instagram and this account has the most amazingly delicious looking drinks. They also have a YouTube channel and a website with a ton of recipes right for any drinking occasion. I didn’t plan on sharing any recipes here, but because eggnog is such a staple around this time of year, I’ll share a few recipes that I was considering before I stumbled upon Tipsy Bartender, and then one I’m considering from Tipsy Bartender. The first one is an alcoholic version. The second one is a non-alcoholic version that has the power to convert non-eggnog lovers. These two are from-scratch recipes. The last one, from Tipsy Bartender, incorporates store-bought eggnog into an Italian Eggnog Martini. This one is the simplest to make of the three.

 This first one I found at The Cocktail Project.

MAKER’S MARK® EGGNOG

INGREDIENTS

• 1 liter Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
• 1 quart Milk
• 1 quart Heavy Cream
• 2 dozen Eggs
• 1 1/2 cups Sugar
• Garnish Nutmeg

DIRECTIONS

Separate eggs and beat yolks until creamy. Whip sugar into yolks. Beat whites until they stand in peaks, adding 1/2 cup additional sugar, if desired. Beat yolks and Maker’s Mark® Bourbon together. Add whites. Beat cream. Add cream and milk to mixture. Add nutmeg to taste, and garnish each cup with nutmeg. Makes approximately 24 servings.

I found this non-alcoholic version over on food.com

EGGNOG

The Very Best Egg Nog Recipe given to me by a friend in England when we were stationed there with the Air Force. Everyone who says they do not like egg nog – loves it and comes back for more.

 INGREDIENTS

• 16ounces Egg Beaters egg substitute
• 1cup sugar
• 4cups milk
• 2cups half-and-half
• 3teaspoons vanilla
• ¹⁄₄teaspoon salt

• ¹⁄₄teaspoon nutmeg

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients until frothy. Cover and chill. Best if made a little in advance and refrigerated.

And lastly, Tipsy Bartender’s number 7 on their list of 10 Incredible Drinks to Make for Christmas.

ITALIAN EGGNOG MARTINI

An amazingly yummy Christmas cocktail loaded with booze and eggnog…THE ITALIAN EGGNOG MARTINI.

INGREDIENTS

1 oz. (30ml) Amaretto

1 oz. (30ml) Vanilla Vodka

2 oz. (60ml) Eggnog

Nutmeg

Cinnamon

Brown Sugar

Caramel Syrup

Candy Cane Garnish

DIRECTIONS

Mix Vanilla Vodka and Amaretto on ice. Top with eggnog. Add a dash of nutmeg. Shake ingredients, in a cocktail shaker if you happen to have one. Rim martini glasses with caramel syrup. Dip rims in a mixture of brown sugar and nutmeg. Pour mixture into martini glasses. Garnish each with a dash of nutmeg, a dash of cinnamon, and a candy cane. Add a Maraschino Cherry as an optional garnish. Tipsy Bartender uses one in the video version which can also be found on the website. The cherry atually sank in the video but that doesn’t make it less appealing or any less tasty.

So which one gets your vote? Which one would you make? Got something else in mind? Well please share in the comments.

Remember: Always drink responsibly.