less than one month...
i have a confession.
last night i totally put up our xmas tree.
also, i have bought and wrapped almost 20 gifts now.
i know, i kinda hate myself too.
it's funny, because while i don't like xmas itself...
i mean, i'm not religious and i kinda hate rampant waste and consumerism...
i do love a lot of things about the holiday season.
like the pretty lights. and all the awesome food and excessive drinking.
and getting to see friends and family.
and honestly, i kinda love the snow too.
when it happens.
this year, i'm trying not to be such a scrooge.
i'm throwing an xmas eve open house.
i have a bazillion family things on the books.
and i'm going to try to not stress out about how badly the holiday season is poised to derail my diet.
one thing i've been seriously pondering is the xmas eve punch.
yes, these are the things that weigh on my mind.
i've seen a few good recipes, but i need to choose.
so i'm going to give you guys the vote.
here's my top 3 cold xmas punch options.
Cranberry Gin Fizz
contains: fresh rosemary, lemon zest, sugar, lemonade, cranberry cocktail, gin and mineral water
Lemon Thyme Gin Punch
contains: lemons, thyme, sugar, gingerroot, gin and ginger ale
Three Orange White Sangria
contains: 3 kinds of oranges (mineola, cara cara & blood orange), sugar, cognac and prosecco
and then of course we need a hot punch.
so here's the options for that...
Mulled Red Wine and Madeira
contains: red wine, madeira, brown sugar, grand marnier, cloves, cinnamon sticks and oranges
Hot Rum Spiced Cider
contains: apple cider, spiced rum, cloves, star anise, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, lemon rind and fresh apples
Wassail
contains: apples, brown sugar, sherry/madeira, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks and brandy
i've never made a hot punch before... did you know that you can make them in your slow cooker, so it stays nice and hot for serving? genius! i had no idea.
i actually even saw one recipe where you make it in a coffee maker. seems like it would work, but i don't want my coffee maker to taste like booze for the next year. (or do i?)
anyways, lots of exciting options...
i'm even going to make the famed "ice ring" for the cold punch.
just like martha would.
i'm also going to do a "holiday martini" for the occasion.
and i've go a few solid options there too... but i'm leaning towards doing the Chocolate Mint Martini because then i can rim the glasses with crushed candy canes. and that's just a lot of fun.
plus, who can turn down a boozy drink that tastes like chocolate mint?
not i.
the appetizers are a whole other fiasco...
i change my mind about what i'm making daily.
so it'll be a decision that's made closer to the day of.
everything will be cute and individually served... because that's basically my signature style now.
individual chocolate mouses might make another appearance.
also, definitely champagne jello shots.
and i might make get into something a little heartier like mini burgers or maybe individual chicken pot pies. (i know. mind blown with that, or what?)
these are tough life decisions for me.
last night i totally put up our xmas tree.
also, i have bought and wrapped almost 20 gifts now.
i know, i kinda hate myself too.
it's funny, because while i don't like xmas itself...
i mean, i'm not religious and i kinda hate rampant waste and consumerism...
i do love a lot of things about the holiday season.
like the pretty lights. and all the awesome food and excessive drinking.
and getting to see friends and family.
and honestly, i kinda love the snow too.
when it happens.
this year, i'm trying not to be such a scrooge.
i'm throwing an xmas eve open house.
i have a bazillion family things on the books.
and i'm going to try to not stress out about how badly the holiday season is poised to derail my diet.
one thing i've been seriously pondering is the xmas eve punch.
yes, these are the things that weigh on my mind.
i've seen a few good recipes, but i need to choose.
so i'm going to give you guys the vote.
here's my top 3 cold xmas punch options.
Cranberry Gin Fizz
contains: fresh rosemary, lemon zest, sugar, lemonade, cranberry cocktail, gin and mineral water
Lemon Thyme Gin Punch
contains: lemons, thyme, sugar, gingerroot, gin and ginger ale
Three Orange White Sangria
contains: 3 kinds of oranges (mineola, cara cara & blood orange), sugar, cognac and prosecco
and then of course we need a hot punch.
so here's the options for that...
Mulled Red Wine and Madeira
contains: red wine, madeira, brown sugar, grand marnier, cloves, cinnamon sticks and oranges
Hot Rum Spiced Cider
contains: apple cider, spiced rum, cloves, star anise, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, lemon rind and fresh apples
Wassail
contains: apples, brown sugar, sherry/madeira, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks and brandy
i've never made a hot punch before... did you know that you can make them in your slow cooker, so it stays nice and hot for serving? genius! i had no idea.
i actually even saw one recipe where you make it in a coffee maker. seems like it would work, but i don't want my coffee maker to taste like booze for the next year. (or do i?)
anyways, lots of exciting options...
i'm even going to make the famed "ice ring" for the cold punch.
just like martha would.
i'm also going to do a "holiday martini" for the occasion.
and i've go a few solid options there too... but i'm leaning towards doing the Chocolate Mint Martini because then i can rim the glasses with crushed candy canes. and that's just a lot of fun.
plus, who can turn down a boozy drink that tastes like chocolate mint?
not i.
the appetizers are a whole other fiasco...
i change my mind about what i'm making daily.
so it'll be a decision that's made closer to the day of.
everything will be cute and individually served... because that's basically my signature style now.
individual chocolate mouses might make another appearance.
also, definitely champagne jello shots.
and i might make get into something a little heartier like mini burgers or maybe individual chicken pot pies. (i know. mind blown with that, or what?)
these are tough life decisions for me.
Posted by vancityrockgirl at 11/27/2009 1:19 PM 
Categories: nachos and friendship,beer,Cooking and Recipes,nerdatorium
Categories: nachos and friendship,beer,Cooking and Recipes,nerdatorium
oooh... here's my vote:
Three Orange White Sangria
Hot Rum Spiced Cider
i really enjoy christmas too - just not the getting up early to work on boxing day crap. even office staff have to help out in the stores...
looking forward to trying the above drinks!
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fine choices!
the sangria was my pick too, as i'm not a gin drinker... but my husband was really excited about the Cranberry Gin Fizz one... so maybe i'll make 2 cold punches. everyone likes punch anyways, right?
and the hot rum one sounds more enticing to me than hot red wine.
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Dear hot rum cider, I can't wait to have you in my belly. I'm also putting in a vote for the sangria and mulled wine. Mmm...wine...
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mmm, that sangria sounds deadly.
i love the snow and lights, too. last year was pretty magical when snowfall cancelled all of our christmas eve plans. i hope it happens again so i can stumble over to your party for some champagne jello shots and sangria haha DEADLY ideas here!
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