Holiday Cocktails by Cooking Channel Stars Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark
By Adam Rains
Whether you’re hosting or toasting, Cooking Channel stars and mixology duo, Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark, have curated specialty cocktails infused with seasonal flavor to kick start the holiday festivities.
Night Before Christmas
Courtesy of Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 oz. Rye or bourbon
- 3/4 oz. Averna amaro
- 1/2 oz. NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Espresso, chilled
Preparation: Add first three ingredients to a tall glass or shaker. Add ice. Stir with a long spoon (don’t shake) and strain into an up glass. Garnish with one Luxardo cherry.
Mulled Wine
Courtesy of www.Joonbug.com
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of Red Wine (we recommend HobNob’s Wicked Red: the sumptuous, bold flavors will enhance the quality and flavor-forwardness of your mulled goodness)
- 1/2 cup of cognac
- 3 whole cloves
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 orange and 1 lemon
Preparation: Combine the ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer for 25 minutes. Let it sit overnight if possible (in the refrigerator is fine). Strain out the fruits and other non-drinkable ingredients and serve it warm in glass mugs.
Gin and Cranberry Sauced
Courtesy of Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce (without whole berries)
- 2 oz. gin
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 2 dashes bitters
- Sprig of fresh rosemary
Preparation:
- Grab some leftover cranberry sauce and–avoiding the whole berries–add 2 tablespoons to a shaker with the gin, lime juice and bitters.
- Add ice, shake very vigorously at least 30 to 45 seconds and strain through a mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass.
- Smack a sprig of rosemary between palms to release aroma/holiday aggression and float delicately atop the cocktail. Toast to well-purposed leftovers.
Café Cinnabourbon
Courtesy of Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 oz. cinnamon liqueur
- 1 NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Skinny Latte Macchiato
Preparation:
- Add the first two ingredients to a mug and stir lightly.
- Brew one NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Skinny Latte Macchiato over the mixture.
- Stir lightly, dust with cinnamon and toast to coziness in liquid form.
Chilly Bourbon Espresso Eggnog
Courtesy of Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup spiked eggnog (recipe below)
- 1 pod NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Cappuccino, cooled
To make the eggnog:
- 4 egg whites
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
- 1 pint milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 oz. bourbon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Preparation:
- With a hand blender, beat egg whites until soft peaks are formed. Gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- In a blender, mix the egg yolks on med-high speed while slowly adding the 1/3 cup sugar. Next, slowly pour in the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and mix until well blended.
- With the blender running on low-med speed, gradually add spoonfuls of the egg whites until all is incorporated. Let chill for an hour in the fridge.
- To Finish the Drink – Pull one pod of NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Cappuccino espresso and let cool. Add 1/2 cup homemade eggnog, dust with nutmeg and serve!
Cinnamon Bun-derful
Courtesy of Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto coffee, brewed
- 1 oz. Cinnamon Syrup (homemade or store-bought)
- 2-3 tbsp. Coffee-mate French Vanilla
- 2 oz. Cinnamon Schnapps
Preparation:
- Rim a coffee mug or heat-proof glass with vanilla frosting.
- Add hot coffee and remaining ingredients; stir. Serve.