Recipes: Pomegranate Spritz, Red Rooster, Hot Buttered Rum, Merry Mojito
Sometimes the best holiday party is just the two of you, sipping festive cocktails out of pretty glasses. Other times you open your home to friends and family. Then you want to plan a special drink to make the occasion even more memorable. Here are some gorgeous (and easy to make) candidates!
Pomegranate Spritz
This simple and very pretty drink is so festive, you'll want to have it more often. There are several variations possible, the most familiar of which is the Mimosa, with orange juice. During the holidays, though, whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanakkuh (early this year) or ALL the holidays, a red drink seems more in tune with the season.
For each drink:
- 3 ounces well-chilled prosecco or Brut
- 3 ounces well-chilled pomegranate juice (or cranberry juice, if you prefer)
- Lime twist for garnish
In a champagne flute, combine the prosecco and pomegranate juice. No need to stir.
Garnish prettily with the lime twist.
Note: This recipe can easily be multiplied to make a party punch. Simply combine equal amounts prosecco and pomegranate juice in a punchbowl set in ice. Don't put ice cubes in the punch. Garnish with lime wheels.
Red Rooster
Think of this as Christmas-colored snow in a glass! Whether it's you and your honey, or a whole bunch of your pals, no one will expect you to offer a frozen drink. And yet, it's so simple and so convenient, because you can make it ages before. You do need a glass pitcher or carafe that can go in your freezer (plus room in your freezer, of course). I've seen perfect carafes at Target - not expensive at all. Make them a day ahead and freeze. Make them a week ahead and the two of you can sip on them all week. Or double the recipe and make all your friends happy!
For 10 drinks:
- 24 ounces (a little more than 1/3 of a 64-ounce container) Ocean Spray Cran-Tangerine Juice Drink
- 3 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate, defrosted
- 1 cup vodka
In a freezer-safe container, mix all the ingredients together. Cover with cling film and freeze for at least 5 hours, or up to one week. The mixture will not freeze solid because of the vodka, but it will become slushy.
To serve, spoon into martini glasses. Garnish with fresh cranberries on a skewer, or with an orange twist.
Hot Buttered Rum
On the coldest nights, a hot drink is heaven. Here's an easy one that will warm your heart and soul.
For one drink:
- 1 ounce Jamaican rum (I like Mount Gay)
- 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
- Sprinkle of ground cloves
- Sprinkle of ground nutmeg
- Boiling water
- A cinnamon stick (or add a sprinkle of cinnamon with the other spices)
In a heat-proof cup, or a glass with a handle, add the rum and stir the sugar, cloves, and nutmeg in. Fill the cup with boiling water. Stir to combine thoroughly with the cinnamon stick. Serve.
Merry Mojito
What's a tropical drink doing in this list of holiday cocktails?! But it's so pretty, and the green mint matches the wreaths and the tree and the garlands and . . . Besides it's one of the most refreshing drinks around. Here's how to make it.
For one drink:
- 4 or 5 fresh mint leaves
- 2 ounces Jamaican rum
- 2 ounces fresh lemon-lime juice (equal parts fresh-squeezed lemon and fresh-squeezed lime)
- Simple syrup (white sugar dissolved in water)
- Club soda (seltzer, if you're on the East Coast)
- Lime wedges for garnish
Put a few ice cubes in a shaker glass, then add 4 or 5 fresh mint leaves. Add some more ice to the shaker.Add the rum, the fresh lemon-lime juice, and a good splash of simple syrup. Shake, preferably to some great Christmas music, like James Brown.
Pour all, including ice, into a tall glass. Top with club soda, and garnish with a lime wedge.
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