Trying to get ahead of the game, I’ve got six people staying with me for a week this holiday season and I would love to make a kind of batch cocktail. I’ve made egg nog in the past and loved it, but I’ve got two avid egg nog haters and one gluten free dietary restriction. Is there anything I can make that is generally well liked but still fun? I like decorating my drinks and making them all fancy. I mostly drink whiskey based cocktails, but I also enjoy every kind of cocktail that doesn’t have gin.
I’m a big fan of hot drinks during the holidays. Hot toddies and mulled wine are both good, but my favorite is mulled apple cider with bourbon.
I use a couple cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg, thrown in a pot with about a 1/2 gallon of cider and heated without boiling for about an hour. Served in a mug with 1-2 oz of bourbon or other whiskey and garnished with apple and/or orange slices, plus half a cinnamon stick if you’re feeling fancy!