Christmas inspired drinks

Turtleneck: Land's End  I Pants: Loft  I Similar shoes: Cole Haan

So I will preface this post by saying this is NOT my house. I do have a wine rack at my home with wine glasses but it is rarely used.  I use the top as a table for pictures and other knick knacks.  With the holiday's coming up I have been interested in finding some fun holiday drinks.  Obviously cookies and desserts are a standout, the breakfasts and dinners also are important,  but holiday cocktails could also be very fun.  I am here to help.  I will not take credit for these recipes.  I was a bartender in my past but I just poured basic drinks.  Never was I a mixologist, but there are some great recipes out there and I want to share them with you here.  

Christmas Sangria (Found HERE by Cake N Knife).  
I love regular Sangria.  I love how sweet and fruity it is.  I usually drink red sangria but I have had white and it is still so super good.  The great thing about Sangria is that you usually can use whatever fruit you prefer.  I have had it with grapes in it.  I have it often with citrus fruits in it.  This one puts cranberries in it.  How super festive and pretty does it look!! 
Ingredients
Vegan, Gluten free
∙ Serves 4-6
Produce

• 1/4 cup Cranberries
• 3/4 cup Cranberries, whole
• 1 Granny smith apple
• 3 Rosemary, sprigs

Baking & Spices

• 1/4 cup Sugar

Drinks

• 3/4 cup Sparkling apple cider

Beer, Wine & Liquor

• 2 bottles Pinot grigio or chardonnay

Hot Buttered RumChata (Found HERE from Shake Bake and Party)

If you don't know about Rumchata, well you need to! It is like a cinnamon creaminess but alcoholic.  It is amazing! 

Ingredients
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup of butter
1 pinch of salt
8 cups of hot water
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
1 cup of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
1 cup of RumChata
Whipped cream and ground nutmeg for garnish (if desired)
Directions
1. Combine the brown sugar, butter, salt and hot water in a 5 quart (or larger) slow cooker.  Add cinnamon sticks and cloves.
2. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours.
3. Stir in the Spiced Rum and the RumChata.
4. Ladle into mugs (or awesome cups like the ones shown in the photo from SucreShop), top with whipped cream and ground nutmeg.
*** A note on RumChata curdling: Several commenters have said that they had trouble with the RumChata curdling when added to the hot butter/water mixture.  I did not encounter this issue but I have done a little research and think it may be due to temperature.  RumChata does contain dairy, which can curdle when added to very hot liquid.  My RumChata had not been in the refrigerator (once opened it can be stored at room temperature for six months) and my low setting on my slow cooker doesn’t get super hot.  If you are using RumChata that has been in the refrigerator I’d suggest measuring it out and letting it warm up to room temperature.  If your water/butter mixture is boiling hot, let it cool some before adding the RumChata.  You can also temper the RumChata first by measuring it into a bowl or cup, and then bit by bit pour some of the butter/water mixture into the RumChata, effectively bringing it up to the same temperature before adding it to the slow cooker.  A last note – if you have been storing your RumChata at room temperature and it is much older than 6 months it may just be on the verge of going bad. ***
Makes 8 servings.

Peppermint Mocha White Russian (Found HERE from With Salt and Wit)

I really like a White Russian on its own.  It is a simple drink but is full of flavor and is sweet.  I like the idea of having some peppermint flavor added.  
Ingredients
∙ Serves 1
Baking & Spices

• 1 Whipped cream

Dairy

• 2 oz Milk

Desserts

• 1 Candy canes
• 1 1/2 oz Peppermint kahula

Beer, Wine & Liquor

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka

Jingle Juice Sangria (Found HERE from Inspired by Charm)

This looks like a super pretty and easy drink.  You can make a larger quantity of it so you can have it for a party.  It would be pretty in a punch bowl or drink server.  I love simple drinks like this that you don't have to pour individually but can make and have people serve themselves.  
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INGREDIENTS

• 1 bottle (750ml) Whipped Vodka
• 1 bottle Pink Champagne or Sparkling Rosé
• 1 (2 liter) bottle Cherry 7-up
• Cranberries for garnish optional

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a punch bowl or large pitcher filled with ice, combine all of the ingredients.
2. Stir well.
3. Serve over ice and garnish with cranberries.

White Hot Chocolate (non-alcoholic) (Found HERE at YellowBlissRoad)

I had to put at least one non-alcoholic drink and this one looks oh so yummy! Plus this is a great drink that can be made throughout all of winter.  

Baking & Spices

• 1 pinch Salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
• 1 Whipped cream
• 8 oz White chocolate chips, good quality

Dairy

• 1 cup Half and half or heavy cream
• 3 cups Milk

Happy Drinking!