Tag: Christmas Drinks

Try This---Gingerbread Coffee

Try This—Gingerbread Coffee

From time to time, I sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top of my freshly ground coffee beans before I brew a pot. The result is a totally flavorful cup of coffee that really smells divine. Saturday morning, I was on pre-coffee auto pilot, dragging myself around the kitchen like a zombie. I reached for the cinnamon (so I thought) and added a dash to the coffee grounds. When I finally started sipping on my coffee, it had this spicy warm kick to it that I couldn’t quite figure out, but absolutely adored. You get where I’m going here? I accidentally added a dash of ground ginger instead of cinnamon and rather than totally destroying my hopes for a good day, it was actually the best mistake I could’ve made. I started thinking of the possibilities…

coffee-spices
Image: abeautifulmess

Sunday morning, it finally started sinking in that Christmas is only a few weeks away. I decided to take my accidental ginger coffee to the next level… Gingerbread Coffee! I just added a dash of ginger, a dash a cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of nutmeg to my coffee grounds and oh man! You may have to play around with the proportions a bit to suit your taste, but any way you do it, you must try this!!!

Gingerbread Coffee

Ingredients

  • ground coffee
  • 1 dash ginger
  • 1 dash cinnamon
  • 1 pinch of nutmeg

Directions

  • mix ground coffee with the other ingredients
  • brew as you regularly would

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Brunch Ideas

It’s a tradition in my home to enjoy a light brunch while unwrapping presents on Christmas morning. We set it up buffet-style, and help ourselves to drinks, sweet pastry, and a savory dish or two. Here are some ideas you can incorporate into your Christmas Day Brunch.

Hot Christmas Drinks

Drinks

It might be a little bit too early on Christmas morning to indulge in the absolute best holiday cocktails, but coffee and hot cocoa are definitely a must on any brunch menu. You can add a little bit of holiday pizzazz to your coffee and hot cocoa by garnishing them with a single cinnamon stick. If you really want to impress, you can add frothed milk. In place of a strong cocktail, mimosas are a good choice. Check out this delicious, cranberry mimosa recipe.

Pastry

Pastry

A wide variety of pastries satisfies the Christmas morning sweet tooth. I’m not the best pastry chef, so I usually go to a local baker and pick these up on Christmas Eve. If you have to purchase pastries more than a day in advance, you can freeze them. Most pastries will freeze well and will be fine if you take them out of the freezer on Christmas Eve. Our personal favorites are cheese danishes, chocolate eclairs, and of course, croissants. Be sure to warm them in the oven at a low temperature before placing them on the buffet.

Image Credit: Kimberley Hasselbrink
Image Credit: Kimberley Hasselbrink

Savory Dishes

No one wants to do a lot of cooking on Christmas morning. Through years of experience, I’ve determined that Christmas casseroles are the way to go. Potatoes, eggs, and sausage will stick to the ribs and add the savory element necessary to balance out the sweetness of your drinks and pastries. Here’s a roundup of some great options for both vegetarians and meat eaters.

Brunch is one of my favorite parts of Christmas Day. If you have any brunch favorites at your home, please feel free to comment.

The Absolute Best Holiday Cocktails

Holiday Drinks

Playing the part of a sophisticated and creative bartender is easy if you have some go-to recipes up your sleeve. So when you’re hosting your holiday cookie party, or just hanging out with the family after hours of gift wrapping and putting the kids to bed, these drinks are sure to please. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite showstopping, holiday cocktail recipes. Each one is pretty easy to make, and will add a touch of festive charm to your next holiday get together.

1 The Chocolate Peppermint Stick

Image Credit: mixthatdrink.com
Image Credit: mixthatdrink.com

This recipe calls for white creme de cacao and peppermint schnapps. As creamy and delicious as it is pretty to look at, this drink is a perfect addition to your cocktail menu. Check out the full recipe here.

2 The Snowball

Image Credit: mixthatdrink.com
Image Credit: mixthatdrink.com

Another beautiful drink, the Snowball is traditionally a summertime drink, despite the name. I have no idea why, especially since it boasts holiday flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, and Kahlua. Oh well. Rules are made to be broken from time to time. Get the full recipe here.

3 Red Hot Santa ‘Tini

Image Credit: mixthatdrink.com
Image Credit: mixthatdrink.com

This drink adds just the right amount of fire to your ice. For those Lou Reeds out there that like to take a walk on the wild side and spice things up, this is the cocktail for you. It features the bold flavor of chili infused vodka. Get the full recipe here.

4 Hot Holiday Cocktails and Kid-Friendly Mocktails

For some of my favorite hot holiday cocktails, and even some non-alcoholic ‘mocktails’, check out this list.

Seriously, guys. Don’t just read this post and say to yourself that these drinks sound delicious. They do not disappoint. Make one immediately!— (unless you’re driving or about to drive…Bailey cares).