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.

The-Night-before-christmas

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

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

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:

  1. Grab some leftover cranberry sauce and–avoiding the whole berries–add 2 tablespoons to a shaker with the gin, lime juice and bitters.
  2. Add ice, shake very vigorously at least 30 to 45 seconds and strain through a mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass.
  3. Smack a sprig of rosemary between palms to release aroma/holiday aggression and float delicately atop the cocktail. Toast to well-purposed leftovers.

Cafe-Cinnabourbon

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:

  1. Add the first two ingredients to a mug and stir lightly.
  2. Brew one NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Skinny Latte Macchiato over the mixture.
  3. Stir lightly, dust with cinnamon and toast to coziness in liquid form.

Eggnog-Bourbon

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

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:

  1. Rim a coffee mug or heat-proof glass with vanilla frosting.
  2. Add hot coffee and remaining ingredients; stir. Serve.

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