It is conference Championship games this weekend. Baby, it’s cold outside! This week we have some toasty beverages to keep you warm. First order of business did you save last week’s Thanksgiving Leftovers? We hope you enjoy this week’s variety of tasty and toasty beverages.
Tasty Tailgate Treats: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Spiked Crockpot Apple Cider
Ingredients:
- 1-gallon apple cider
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4-star anise
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp whole cloves
- 2 oranges, sliced plus more for garnish
- 2 lemons, sliced plus more for garnish
- 1-liter good whiskey or bourbon
Directions:
- Add apple cider, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, oranges, and lemons to the crockpot. Turn the heat on low and cook for 6-7 hours. So you can cook this the day before your tailgate.
- Take out all of the whole spices, oranges, and lemons before serving. Pour in bourbon. Stir and serve. Garnish with sliced orange and lemon.
Does it matter what kind of whiskey you use?
In short, yes… but not really. We use a good whiskey or bourbon. We love Crown Royal or Bullet Bourbon.
Substitutions & Tips:
- If you don’t like whiskey, swap it out for rum or vodka
- A splash of apple brandy would be a great addition, as would a splash of Grand Mariner.
- Throw in your favorite fall spices – Nutmeg would also work.
- Serve with mason jars and sliced fruit for a super cute presentation.
Spiked Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces hot chocolate homemade or boxed
- 2 ounces Pinnacle Whipped Vodka
- 1 ounce DeKuyper Peppermint Schnapps
- 1 peppermint stick optional
- Whipped cream for garnish (optional)
Directions:
-
Pour all ingredients into a mug and mix well.
-
Garnish with whipped cream and a peppermint stick, if desired.
Cranberry Hot Toddy
This recipe makes 12-14 drinks
Ingredients:
- 2½ quarts cranberry juice cocktail
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3 tangerines, thinly sliced, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks, plus more for serving
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled
- 1¼ cups amber rum
- 1 cup brandy
- Fresh cranberries, for serving
Directions:
- In a large slow cooker, combine the cranberry juice, honey, tangerine slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and ginger.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it on high. Cook for 4 hours. Stir in the rum and the brandy.
- To serve, strain the drink into mugs. Garnish with tangerine slices, cranberries, and a cinnamon stick. Serve warm.
Hot Buttered Rum
Ingredients:
Buttered Rum Batter
- 4 Tbsp. butter softened
- 3 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream, softened
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Rum Drink
- 2 cups of apple cider
- 1 cup of rum
Directions:
- Make the Buttered Rum Batter: In a mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in ice cream and cinnamon, then spoon into a mason jar or resealable container.
- Store in the freezer until mostly hardened, about 2 hours, or until ready to serve.
- Make the Drinks: In a medium saucepan, heat the cider until boiling, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and pour into a pitcher or easy-to-serve container.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of buttered rum batter into each mug.
- Fill about 1/3 of the way up with rum, then top with hot apple cider.
- Stir before serving.
Tequila Touchdown Toddy
A tasty twist on the classic hot toddy using Patrón’s Añejo which is aged for 12 months in a combination of French oak, Hungarian oak, and used American whiskey barrels.
This recipe makes 10 servings
Ingredients:
- 20oz Patrón Añejo
- 30 oz hot water
- 15 oz lemon juice
- 10 oz honey
- 10 pinches of ground cinnamon
- 30 drops of vanilla extract
Directions:
- In the bottom of a sturdy mug, combine a pinch of ground cinnamon, honey, and hot water and stir to combine.
- Add Patrón Añejo, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Stir to combine all ingredients.
On The Menu
Next week we will have more tasty treats to kick off the playoffs. Get you through the holiday decoration, shopping, and baking. Enjoy the Championship games this week.
