Pleasures of Life: Christmas and Cocktails

The year-end festive season has begun, and the spirit of Christmas has enthused everyone alike. When you think Christmas, you are suddenly filled with the aroma of rich baked goods, spiced drinks and heady cocktails. It is not for nothing that we all love the Christmas spirit so much. There is something about the transience of Christmas that makes you want to cherish it even though you know it will be back next year. It is no secret that this year we are even more indulgent with our Christmas celebrations given the grim year we have had so far.

No Christmas is complete without cocktails, some classic and some experimental, but each absolutely delicious! So, get ready for a Merry Christmas with our list of rich, sweet, and spiced cocktails.

Hot Toddy

Imagine a warm golden drink, spiced to perfection, on a cold December day next to your Christmas tree. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it? Hot toddy made with Jameson Irish Whiskey can put you in the holiday mood instantly. While you are at it, dig into some rich plum cake or spicy roasted potatoes on the side to enjoy the holiday season with the right drinks and food pairing.

Ingredients:

50 ml Jameson Irish Whiskey
3 teaspoon honey
1 cinnamon stick, snapped in half
1 lemon, half juiced, and half sliced
2 cloves

How to mix?

Whisk Jameson Irish Whiskey and honey together and pour into two glasses. Add half of the cinnamon stick to each and top up with hot water.

Add a splash of lemon juice to each. Finish each with a slice of lemon, studded with a clove, and serve immediately.

Black Russian

If simplicity had to be described as a cocktail, the Black Russian would surely be right at the top. This bolder cousin of the White Russian is a delicious mix of vodka and coffee liqueur. Rich and refreshing at the same time, it is perfect as an after-dinner drink and can be paired with sumptuous desserts like Tiramisu or blueberry cheesecake to excite your palate

Ingredients:

50 ml Absolut Vodka
Coffee liqueur 25ml
Ice cubes

How to mix?

Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice and add Absolut vodka and coffee liqueur.

Eggnog

Can you imagine a Christmas without eggnog? Perhaps the most versatile and iconic Christmas cocktail, this drink is the personification of Christmas spirit in a glass. Traditionally made with rum, the eggnog is a drink generous enough to taste amazing with some Irish whiskey. Have it plain and simple or add a dash of expresso to make a cool eggnog latte to elevate your holiday experience.

Ingredients:

60 ml Jameson Irish Whiskey
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
1 whole egg
150 ml milk
Nutmeg
Cinnamon sticks (optional)

How to mix?

Add Jameson Irish Whiskey, sugar, egg, and milk to a shaker with plenty of ice and shake hard for 20-30 seconds.

Strain into a mug, and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Optionally, garnish with a cinnamon stick.

The Christmas Frappe

Coffee and liquor on their own are always a good idea but together they are the stuff holiday goals are made of. This Christmas, try a frappe that encapsulates the Christmas spirit. Pair your whiskey infused frappe with a delicious Hawaiian pizza, and you are sorted for the holidays!

Ingredients:

1 cup strong coffee, cooled
1/2 cup half and half
2 tablespoons of Jameson Irish whiskey
1-1/2 cup ice cubes
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Whipped cream, optional

How to mix?

Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend until frothy.

Pour in a glass, top with whipped cream, and enjoy.

Toffee Vodka

Mixed to create a smooth toffee taste with a kick, the toffee vodka is a must have if you are planning to stretch your Christmas celebrations till New Year's Eve. Which we are sure you were planning to do anyways.

Ingredients:

200 g hard toffees
4 tablespoon soft dark brown sugar
750 ml of Absolut vodka

How to mix?

Add smashed toffees in a sterilized jar with the sugar and a pinch of sea salt. Pour Absolut vodka over the toffee mixture and stir. Leave in a cool dark place for two days or until the toffees have dissolved. Shake the jar twice a day during this time.

Once the toffee and sugar has dissolved, strain the mixture. Serve immediately or seal and store. You can store it up to 3 months and enjoy it in small doses. Don’t forget to stir every time before you serve.

Value for Money: 10 Superb Whiskies Under Rs 2000

There are few things more pleasurable or rewarding in life than unwinding with a dram of fine scotch after a long day of work. A smooth, heady whisky that is redolent of Scotland’s lush, peaty bogs, need not break your budget and cost an exorbitant sum. Here are 10 superior quality whiskies you can acquire for less than only Rs. 2000 for a bottle of 750 ml. So what are you waiting for? Bring out the decanter, surround yourself with good company, and treat yourself to a glass. All prices are indicative and may vary from state to state.

What makes triple distilled vodka better than single distilled?

Vodka is perceived as an essential component of the Slavic culture. Initially, vodka was produced for medical and military purposes. Traditionally, it was made using water and ethanol, alcohol of an agriculture origin, derived from barley, corn, potato, rye, or wheat.

Storing Whisky

For most people, being a whisky collector often ends at simply doing their research and buying a bottle of their favourite whisky. Not many people end up paying enough attention to how whisky requires to be meticulously stored and cared for, which is absolutely crucial to retain the best from your prized possessions and indulgences.