Holiday Goodies: Festive Holiday Beverages

Yesterday I posted some hot drink mixes for gift giving. Today I am posting some recipes that you can serve for your holiday get togethers or to warm up the carolers on a cold night - if you ever have any. I can't remember ever having carolers come by my house in my whole life. But maybe they do somewhere.

I am posting the nonalcoholic versions of these recipes. If you like, you can add your favorite liquor to taste.

Amazing Eggnog
I used to love the egg nog that you buy in the dairy section of the store. I don't know if it's my taste that changed or they don't make it the same way anymore, but it's much too sweet for me now. This is a little more trouble, but the taste is far superior. It also requires cooking so you need not be worried about consuming raw eggs. You should make this early in the day or the day before as it needs time to chill.

4 cups milk
5 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 cups light cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Return mixture to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour. Stir in cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving. If the egg nog is too thick, you can add additional milk or cream as desired. Adding liquor will also thin it down.

Cranberry-Lime Margarita Punch
This is easy and looks really festive for a holiday party. Since this is a cold punch, it's really good anytime of year. You can substitute a 48 ounce bottle of cranberry juice cocktail for the water and frozen concentrate.

6 cups water
1 12 oz can frozen cranberry juice coctail concentrate
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup sugar or Splenda
1 12 oz can ginger ale (or tequila)
1 lime, sliced

Combine water, cranberry juice, lime juice and sugar or Splenda in a punch bowl or glass pitcher until well blended. Stir in ginger ale and lime slices. Serve over ice.

Five Star Fluffy Hot Chocolate
Melting the marshmallows into the hot chocolate makes this super creamy. The chocolate chips provide a richer chocolate flavor. More may be added to taste if desired.

1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups milk
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup miniature marshmallows or marshmallow cream

Bring cocoa powder, sugar and hot water to a boil and boil for 2 min. Add milk, chocolate chips and marshmallows or marshmallow cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until marshmallows and chocolate are melted and incorporated well. DO NOT BOIL. Ladle into mugs.