Classy Christmas Cocktails

If you've been following my blog at all, you know full-well that I'm a fan of the drink. With the exception of an occassional bottle of my favorite Argentinian Malbec, my purchases at the liquor store are most often a handle of vodka or a magnum of Yellowtail. The goal of course being: drink to get drunk and avoid spending $18 on a Red Bull Vodka at 230 5th.

However, for this post I've taken a few suggestions from friends and co-workers on their favorite holiday spirits that require one to sip, not chug. So in the spirit of the holidays, put away the funnel, raid your parents liquor supply (because who else would have Brandy on hand), and whip up any of the following for a delicious treat that's sure to warm your insides.


Tom & Jerry (thanks Sam!)
Ingredients
-12 eggs
-1 cup sugar
-pinch of ground cinnamon
-1 bottle brandy
-1 bottle dark rum
-milk
-nutmeg






Instructions (translated from Chef Speak to Stuff I understand)

- Separate the eggs. (This does not mean 6 and 6, but rather whites and yolks.)
- Beat the whites until they form a stiff froth. (That's what she said.)
- Add the sugar to the yolks and beat "until they are as thin as water," gradually adding 4 ounces brandy and a pinch of ground cinnamon.
- Fold the whites into the yolks. (FYI- "fold" is just a fancy way of saying mix.)

When ready to serve, give it another stir and then put 1 tablespoon of this batter in a small mug. Add 1 ounce brandy and 1 ounce Jamaican rum, stirring constantly to avoid curdling. (sounds gross, but the result is delicious). Fill to the top with hot milk and stir until you get foam. Sprinkle a little grated nutmeg on top.

Puerto Rican Egg Nog

*Under normal circumstances I think egg nog is a vile drink and should be placed in the same category/trash receptacle as fruit cake for "holiday foodstuffs that absolutely suck." However, this beverage was discreetly served to me in a coffee cup at work by my Puerto Rican friend in the mailroom. After one sip I knew I needed to pass along the recipe.*

Ingredients
-1 can coconut cream (Coco Lopez, etc.)
-2 cans condensed milk
-3 cans evaporated milk
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-cinnamon & nutmeg
- 1 liter of spiced rum (or 151 if you've got a family of lushes)

Start by pouring half of each of the ingredients in a blender. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg "too taste" (not too much, idiot.)

Blend thoroughly (on setting of your choice) - Pour contents into a big bowl.

Repeat above steps with remaining ingredients (blending and mixing well enough to ensure there are no chunks of coconut floating around... we wouldn't want your guests to hurl chunks before they even sampled your concoction.)

Pour into glasses of your choice and garnish with a piece of cinnamon (optional of course).


Brandy Alexander
Ingredients - Recipe below serves 10.
(or 5 people two drinks, 2 people five drinks...or yourself until you get sick.)

- 15 oz brandy
- 10 oz dark creme de cacao
- 10 oz french vanilla ice cream (really, really softened)
- 2.5 tsp grated nutmeg

In a shaker a quarter filled with ice cubes, combine the brandy, creme de cacao, and ice cream.

Shake vigorously. (Hence the softened ice cream... you'll break your arm if you try to use a shaker on ice cream straight out of the freezer).

Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the nutmeg.