The holiday season goes hand-in-hand with some of our favorite libations. Rum and eggnog, mulled wine, holiday punch, champagne cocktails…but not everyone imbibes. Whether they are designated driver or just don’t drink, make sure everyone has something special to sip for the holiday season
One of my faves is the Rosemary Pom Holiday Sparkle. Made d’lish by shaking up fresh rosemary, Cutie’s sweet clementines and tart pomegranate juice. Top this with sparkling apple cider for a bit of bubbly. You can serve it on the rocks or strained into a champagne flute for a more elegant presentation. For parties, I like to float a cranberry and a little sprig of rosemary in the drink for a cheery garnish.
Homemade sodas are also a great party idea for kids of all sizes. Just combine syrup and soda or sparkling water over ice … it’s just that easy for a fun and refreshing twist on the traditional soda! Monin has an amazing line up of flavors available online, from spicy mango to blood orange as well as blueberry pie and toasted marshmallow.
Don’t forget to check your grocery stores for fun syrups! Local restaurant supply chain Cash and Carry has a huge inventory of goods so make sure to browse their syrups. You can also experiment in making your own syrups too – ginger jasmine lime is one of my favorites and tastes great in my Cucumber Ginger Jasmine Fizz.
My Cucumber Ginger Jasmine Fizz!
For the holidays, make sure your non-imbibing guests have just as much fun as everyone else with some creative sips – sans the alcohol.
Cheers! – Kathy
Rosemary Pom Holiday Sparkle
Fresh rosemary’s herbal essence complements the tangy flavor of the clementine and the sweetness of the sparkling cider. When making this in the Middle East, I substituted sparkling date cider instead of the apple cider! It was fantastic!
Makes 1 drink
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1/4 or 1/2 of a clementine or mandarin, depending on size
(I like to use Cuties Clementines as they have no seeds)
1 1/2 oz pomegranate juice
3 oz sparkling apple cider
Garnish: Fresh rosemary sprig
Bend 1 rosemary sprig and drop into a cocktail shaker. Squeeze in the clementine then drop in. Measure in the pomegranate juice. Fill the shaker with ice. Cap and shake vigorously. Pour into a tall glass. Top with the cider and stir. Garnish with a rosemary sprig. (Or, you can shake the drink in the cocktail shaker, then add the sparkling cider and strain the drink into a tall champagne flute for a more elegant look.)
Recipe © Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen™
Cucumber Ginger Jasmine Fizz
Makes 1 drink
3–4 slices fresh cucumber
1 1/2 oz Ginger Jasmine Lime Syrup (recipe follows)
3 oz sparkling water or club soda
Garnish: Candied ginger and cucumber slice on a pick, or a lime wedge
Drop the cucumber into a cocktail shaker and muddle well to release the juices. Measure in the Ginger Jasmine Lime Syrup. Fill shaker with ice. Cap and shake vigorously. Add sparkling water to shaker and then strain drink into a martini glass. Garnish as desired.
Ginger Jasmine Lime Syrup
Makes 12 oz or enough for about 8 drinks
1 tsp minced ginger
1 cup fresh lime juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp loose jasmine tea
In a small heavy saucepan, combine the ginger, lime juice, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the tea. Steep for 5 minutes, then strain through a very fine strainer, pressing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids. Refrigerate the syrup, for up to 7 days, until ready to use.
Recipe © Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen™
