Here we are, up to our collective elbows in foul weather, flannel and family. However, the holidays are an exciting time to prepare and present your very best to beloved patrons, Christmas fair visitors or family . If you are a restaurant owner, a home chef, or just hosting your first fancy get-together, we've got the recipes and glassware to make them (and we mean you!) shine. Arcoroc is everyday proof that function and style can be held right in your hand! Check out our recipes and ideas for making your holiday gatherings elegantly effortless!
WASSAIL
What is Wassail anyway? As a noun, it's a savory but fruity beverage of hot mulled cider normally prepared in a crock pot. But, it's definitely more fun in its verb form. Stemming (pun intended) from a Medieval English Christmas drinking ritual where partygoers imbibed in a fair amount of wassail and then sang carols door-to-door, hoping to ensure a good apple crop the next year. Sounds like apple cider, right? So, what is the difference between wassail and apple cider? Basically, nothing except how it is served. But the word вЂWassail' looks far more graceful than the word вЂcider' on a party invite. This is an excellent way to show off your personal brand! As a cozy cuppa, a charming 7.25oz White Glass Coffee/Tea Cup will do. For the pre-caroling crowd, a hearty 21.5oz Tumbler Glass Willi Becher is the right call. And as a quiet after-dinner libation, serve your Wassail in our elegant 12oz Tall Wine Glass Rutherford.
How to Make Wassail or Spiced Apple Cider
Pro Tip: Allow the guests to pour their own shot of whiskey or rum. You'll be glad you did!
Ingredients:
- 4 c apple cider
- 2 cups of orange juice
- Вј c lemon juice
- 8 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 4 pieces candied ginger
- Orange slices/Cinnamon sticks (garnish)
- Rum or Whiskey
Directions:
Bring everything to a boil stovetop, strain out spices (optional) and serve warm in a crock pot. Garnish with cinnamon sticks or orange slices.
MULLED WINE
Another once-a-year classic, Mulled Wine is sometimes called Spiced Wine. If you are having a party on a budget, this is the beverage for you! You can easily prepare it, and walk away from it and let your guests happily serve themselves. Favorite choices for making Mulled Wine are dry reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. But, any red will do. Simply keep it warm or room temp and add slices of orange, honey, spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks floating on the top. And what a heavenly aroma! Line up a row of glasses like the 11.75 oz. Double Old Fashion/Rocks Glass and for the not-so-faint-of-heart go for the Juliette 16oz Sheer Rim Glass Romeo. It's a match made in heaven, right?
How to Make Mulled Wine
Ingredients:
- 1 orange, sliced and seeded
- ВЅ c sugar
- 2 c water
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 bottle of red wine (I recommend the darker and cheaper the better. No one will know.)
- Orange slices for garnish
Directions:
Combine orange, sugar, water, spices in a pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Transfer to a stock pot, add wine and float orange slices on the top.
CLASSIC EGGNOG
Everyone swears their Eggnog recipe is the best, but this is the basic version that stands the test of holiday time. Monks used to drink this milky-ale libation in the 13th century and called it вЂposset.' But, Eggnog sounds infinitely more regal, doesn't it? Served hot or cold, you can reflect on your inner monk and ladle some eggnog into our 7.25oz White Glass Coffee/Tea Cups or our Gotham 10oz Beverage Glass.
How to Make EggNog
Pro Tip: Serve from a large bowl with a ladle.
Ingredients:
- 3 c full fat milk
- 1 c heavy whipping cream
- 1 c rum
- ВЅ c sugar (you can use a sugar substitute, but why bother)?
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tb vanilla extract
- Spice Blend:
- 7 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5 black peppercorns
- Pinch of nutmeg
Directions:
Heat milk with all the spices, stirring carefully, until thickened. Add vanilla, remove from heat. Strain out the spices.
In a blender, whip eggs, rum, sugar, milk mixture and slowly add cream, pulsing every few minutes to develop a good froth. Pour into serving bowl and ladle into cups or mugs. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
HOT TODDY
Known as hot whiskey in Ireland, a hot toddy is typically a mixed drink made of hard liquor, diluted with water (you'll be glad you did!) and honey, a cinnamon stick and a generous squeeze from a lemon wedge. Like most Irish recipes, Hot Toddy recipes can vary but they are most consumed as вЂnight cap' and even to alleviate the symptoms of a cold or flu before bed. If you are hosting out-of-town guests, this is a perfect way to end a day of holiday activity.
How to Make a Hot Toddy
Ingredients:
- 1ВЅ ounce brown liquor such as brandy, whiskey or rum
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup hot water
- Cinnamon Stick
- Lemon Wedge
Directions:
Combined the first three ingredients into the bottom of an Arcoroc 9oz Stemless Tumbler/Wine Glass or a 4.5oz Rocks Glass Gotham and garnish with a cinnamon stick and a squeeze from a lemon wedge.
CHAMPAGNE
Finally, a Guide to Holiday Drinks wouldn't be legit if it didn't include the most celebratory sip since former Prime Minister of the UK said, "Remember, gentlemen, it's not just France we are fighting for, it's champagne!" Once thought to be a libation for the elite, champagne has always been the ultimate elixir. Fresh and effervescent, champagne looks like a Hollywood starlet with the IQ of a nuclear physicist. Arcoroc has dozens of styles of champagne glasses and flutes so you can make merry all year long!
What's the Difference Between Champagne and Sparkling Wine?
If you never could figure out the difference between champagne and sparkling wine, you'll be relieved to know that ALL champagne is sparkling wine. However, not all sparkling wine is Champagne. So, don't fret if the budget for your gala only allows you to buy sparkling wine. It's just as bubbly and flavorful and expensive brands of Champagne. Served in crystal clear Arcoroc glass, try our 5.75oz Champagne Flute Glass Rutherford or our 9oz Stemless Tumbler Wineglass, drop in a few colorful blueberries and raspberries as a garnish and watch them dance amongst the bubbles. The berries, not the guests…well, maybe.
вќ„Happy Holidays from Arcoroc and McDonald Paper & Restaurant Supplies!вќ„