Today's Exciting Announcement!

Today's the official opening of the Holiday Drinking Season... gentlemen, start your bourbon!

Should you prefer your bourbon cut with something a bit sweeter - say, a milkshake - then do I have news for you!  Thus, I'm announcing the Official Cocktail of the Holiday Drinking Season.

This is the first year I've established a specified drink, although I tend to gravitate towards/stick with one kind of cocktail each season.  A couple of years ago it was Prosecco and that pink fusion X-Rated liqueur (chased with Ambien - DUMB, but tasty.)  I've also been a fan of what I called Champagne Coolies which were basically a glass of bubbly and a cube of sugar.  One season I had nothing but hot chocolate mixed with Godiva and hazelnut liqueur - never got drunk, but always felt like my teeth were wearing fuzzy socks. Then, of course, there was the time my drink of choice was the five dollar wine section at Trader Joe's... 

I decided I'd have an official cocktail this season after receiving the book Peterson's Holiday Helper: Festive Pick-Me-Ups, Calm-Me-Downs, & Handy Hints to Keep You in Good Spirits by Valerie Peterson. The book is full of fabulous old school libation recipes plus a bunch of snarky commentary and hilarious photos from Christmases circa 1964.  (FYI?  Makes a great gift.)  Seriously, she listed too much good stuff to NOT name an official drink.

Without further adieu, I give you The Christmas Consolation:

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 cup elderflower syrup (the book references places where to find this, such as IKEA) (and if you can't find it, you might substitute St. Germain's elderflower liqueur which is the DRINK OF THE GODS and surprisingly available at local liquor stores)

750 milliliter bottle of champagne or other sparkling white wine, well chilled

Combine raspberries and syrup overnight, refrigerated, covered to steep.  When serving, divide the steeped berries and steeped syrup evenly among six champagne flues.  Top with chilled champagne.  

This is supposed to serve six people, but nothing says you can't have all six servings and simply steep yourself.  

So, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and an even happier Holiday Drinking Season!

Comments

[Tonya]

OMG, Jen, just made this up today and it was DELICIOUS! I made a double batch and three of us finished it off in no time! Yum yum yum!!!

PS: Caroline Wright -- I will send you MY address for that yummy Santa's Testicles concoction...sounds like a party in a jar!

[Manic Mommy]

Oh, it was cyrano's wine bar on well's. I want a recap of the whole meal and drink spectacular I had Friday evening!

[Molly]

Brandy Milk Punch p.3 of the Commander's Kitchen (Martin and Shannon) Yumphenom!
Combine 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 12 ounces bourbon, 1 optional egg white, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup very cold water, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract in a large pitcher. Stir well, or if you have a lid, shake. Serve in a rocks glass sprinkled with nutmeg. This is a major family gathering beverage!

Also - Emeril's Eggnog on Food Network - I actually halve the booze and it is still delish (and potent).

Hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps is enjoyed on really chilly evenings or days by my husband and me.

Can't I keep going - give a list as it is "Tis The Season"?! Thanks to all the others for the recipes!

[DEBORAH]

HAD BALILEYS/CREAM DECOCO/VODKA/ICE/ HAD SIX AND PLAYED POKER FOR HOURS OH WHAT A FUN NIGHT !

[Jen R]

Thank you Jen.

I am now sufficiently drunk. (I think I added too much champagne.)

And it's not even noon yet.

But it's snowing outside...and I totally think that's a valid reason to get drunk and ponder purchasing a gas-guzzling SUV to encourage global warming.

Cheers and happy holidays!

-The Other Jen from Chicago

[Kathy]

My fav is also The Nutty Irishman, but I've never had it with coffee. The first time we had this was at Uncle Herb's house for Christmas more than 20 years ago.

Two parts Bailey
One part Frangelica
Over ice

Drink
Repeat as often as you can

[Manic Mommy]

OMG, Jen, NO LIE, I think that's what I was served LAST NIGHT at some French bistro in the city. Called ... what the eff was that restaurant called??? It was like Ceriano de Bergiac or something along the lines of that French dude ... Anyway, the drink boasted champagne and a special sweet ingredient ... it was called the SIMONE SPARKLER or some shit. THAT HAD TO BE WHAT THEY DID TO MAKE IT.

Amazing! Wow. I am so jonesing for another one ... or four or five.

[Buckles874]

In a mixer:
2 ice cubes
2 shots vodka
2 shots milk
2 shots Starbucks Latte liqour

Shake vigourosly! Pour in a rocks glass, over ice.

Extra: drizzle a bit of chocolate syrup in the glass before pouring

[Rac]

Sounds lovely, and light enough to actually drink. My grandmother established the brandy alexandar as the official holiday drink of every year, before I was even born. Not so creative, maybe, but it tastes like holiday. I will be sure to drink one this New Year's Eve in her memory.

[Tammy Hall]

I agee, I don't believe I shall share this with others..I'm too self-centered.

[Amanda]

Yum.
Also, because God forbid I can't express my opinion and the comments section for your book cover is closed...here we are:

I opened up the link on Amazon after reading your post and my first thought was: "what is she talking about? that IS a drawing." Then I looked more closely and you know what? It looks great. The end.

Also, as far as whether or not you are worth paperback? I looked for your books in hardcover because I wanted nice, clean copies to put impressively on my shelves while I put the wine & water stained, dog-eared, receipt-from-Chinese-takeout-as-bookmark copy in a stack with the others, where it belongs.

End of story: I'd pretty much buy your books if they were packaged in recycled Trader Joe's bags, photographed cover or no. Just sayin'.

PS Your note to Bank of America? Priceless.
PPS But will probably get you put on some kind of list.
PPPS Worth it.

[Shelli]

Indian Summer Appletini

BLEND; RUB GLASS WITH:

¼ cup sugar
¼ t. ground cinnamon
Lemon wedge

SHAKE TOGETHER:

1/3 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
3 T. spiced rum, dark rum or brandy (1 ½ oz)
1 t. fresh lemon juice
3 whole cloves
1 whole cinnamon stick

TOP WITH; GARNISH WITH:

Splash of sparkling apple cider, chilled
Whole cinnamon stick

Blend sugar and cinnamon on a plate. Rub the rim of a martini glass with the lemon wedge, then dip the rim in the sugar. Fill a cocktail shaker ½ full with ice cubes.

Shake the juice concentrate, rum or brandy, lemon juice, and spices with the ice until the shaker is too cold to hold, about 2 minutes.

Top with sparkling apple cider; garnish martini with the cinnamon stick.

[stephanie]

Hot carmenl apple cider from Starbucks spiked with Captain Morgan's ... mmmm. Now that's good stuff!

[JennD]

LOVE holiday drink recipies! Thanksgiving is at our house...yikes! But, my mom is coming prepared with a new holiday libation! She won't tell me what it is :-)

Oh, and because I've been preparing for today's festivities - I haven't been able to read your blog all week! Saw your cover on Amazon and think it's fabulous! Art department did a great job and the green and pink plaid is perfect! Illustration versus photo - love either one and this fits! Can't wait until May - and yes will pay whatever just to get it :-)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Stay safe and eat until you're comatose

[Shawna]

A delicious way to warm up after being outside in that frigid midwestern snow?

Hot cider + Captain Morgan.

Something about the way to spices of each compliment each other. Just make sure that the Captain is room temperature first, or you'll never actually get a hot drink.

[Anndi]

I am going to macerate mahself!

[Whyvoni]

Can I tell you how happy I am that you posted this? I have that elderflower crappola from Ikea and had no idea what the hell to do with it! This is AWESOME.

Thanks!

[I Am Landlocked]

For those of you who are pomegranate fans, try my own personal concoction (the bar in my neighborhood named it "Patty's Pomegranate Passion" for me):

Mix to taste shot or two of Hangar One Mandarin Blossom vodka, shot of Pama Pomegranate liqueur, splash of Cointreau, and the juice of one lime. Shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker over ices until chilled. Serve on the rocks with a lime wedge or strain into a martini glass for something resembling a cosmo that packs a little more whollup!

[blackbird]

It's the overnight part that would slow me down. I imagine I'd mash it, mix it and drink it. Like a smoothie.

[Kristy in Bangkok]

Okay, am stuck in Bangkok because of the protestors blocking the airport, so I've got plenty of time to avail you of my recipe for a self invented cocktail called the Kristini:-

1) Make some ginger infused vodka (doesn't have to be expensive vodka) - drink some from the bottle (such a sacrifice) so you have room to insert a few decent thick slices of fresh ginger and then leave it in the fridge for a few days.
2) Put a decent glug of the ginger vodka in a high glass, crush some mint and put it in with some ice cubes and make it up to the top with a mix of ginger ale and 7-up (or Sprite depending on your country). Give it a bit of a stir with a straw to mix.

Drink and enjoy.

It's more of a summer drink, but hey, it's HOT here in Bangkok and alcohol works in any temperature.

[Lori]

Wait, I just finished "Bright Lights, Big Ass" and I could swear that a certain someone's birthday on Nov 5th is the official start to the holiday drinking season. Are you just getting a late start this year?

2 books down, 1 to go. Love them!

[Suzanne]

YUMMY!

I've been thinking a lot about Prosecco lately, does that make me passe???

[Jessica]

Yay! I'm so gonna steep mahself!

[Rachael]

So this drink comes from my favorite college bar but I'm convinced it could be turned into a holiday favorite. Simply take one part hot coffee and add one part Frangelica (or Hazlenut Amaretto). The bar serves it in shot form but I think it would be a good sipping drink (especially for those who don't like eggnog.) If cuddling up next to a warm fire while its snowing outside can be bottled up into a taste... this drink is it. :)

[Michelle]

Hi Jen - Give this little number a try...it's called a "Jingle Bell". A shot of Bourbon, a shot of Triple Sec, four ounces cranberry juice, four ounces Korbel Champagne (or your fave bubbly). The jingle bells are the four little cranberries you place in the flute and they float delightedly on top!

Happy Turkey Day!

[BedsideTalesMan]

I am a Samuel Adams man and nothing will change that. I love your blog and will be back regularly....well sh(i)t.. i am gonna put you on the blogroll :)

See ya!

[AJMick]

Dude - I'm with sheila only vodka instead of single-malt. I may or may not have gotten a kick start on the drinking season tonight. :)

[Laura]

I miss booze! Two years of fertility treatments and living like a pregnant woman (without the baby in nine months!) SUCKS!

Happy drinking everyone!

[ang]

Mmm...sounds yummy- if you like that Xmas Libation I have a baby shower/bridal shower punch that you would love- have to dig it up- suffice it to say, lots of berries champagne and giggles....oh and serves more than 6 ....or 6 cups per person as you so aptly suggest...

[Kate]

Alas, I have no sassy cocktail of the season!

I merely strolled out of the liquor store with the "Irish Heritage Collection" from Guinness: six bottles each of Harp, Guinness and Smithwick's.

Cheers!

[Sheila]

My holiday cocktail of choice?

2 fingers single-malt
3 cubes ice

Mix in glass. Serve. Repeat as needed. Works for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Thankgiving, Arbor Day, Easter, birthdays, weddings and bar mitzvahs.

[Gretchen G.]

That drink sounds so yummy! I like to mix and match holiday cocktails, which is usually a bad idea. Picking one and sticking with it is pure genius! Plus, the fruit makes me think it can be considered "healthy".

[Beth]

Ahh, drinking. Now that says 'holidays' to me! I think I'll start tonight, you know, for practice.

[Corey]

If the shithole I lived in actually carried anything other than Bud Light I'd be all over this recipe!

Another one to try:

Pumpkin Pie Shot:

1/2 oz Kahlua
1/2 oz Bailey's
1/4 oz Cinnamon Schnapps
Dash of nutmeg

Layer in order and light on fire if you wish!

[Sean]

Deck the halls with drunkity

[kelly]

I just got over my gin and tonic phase for the summer and was moving onto scotch and i am so excited to tell my boyfriend that i now need some elderberry alcohol and raspberries do you think frozen will do?

[Lisa Johnson]

The holiday drinking season started last night with the hubby followed by a percocet to really dull the pain.

Our fave...

The Nutty Irishman

Hot black coffee
Shot of Bailey's Irish Cream
Shot of Frangelico

Top with whipped cream, use a mini candy cane for a swizzle stick

MMMMMMMM....good.

[Erica]

I am quite jealous! Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday...and what do I get today (Wednesday)???? The flu =(

[Lizzo]

Try this...
2 cups of ice cream or frozen yogurt
1 shot of Kahlua
1 shot of vodka

Blend all together for a cool yet warming treat. It is fabulous!!

[Erin]

I love the holiday drinking season...my husband can't threaten to send me to dry out, because it's the holidays, right?
That said, I'm going to stay classy and stick with the Bud Light. I can't ruin my rep as a sports-watching, beer-guzzling, streaking chick with girl drinks.

[Caroline Wright]

Jen, send me your mailing address, and I will mail you a mason jar of the spiced honey liqueur my seriously crazy husband has been brewing up. This stuff smells like Santa's testicles. And it tastes even better. It's made with sugar from Maui, honey from Manoa here on O`ahu, and about 30 other ingredients, like cinnamon bark and fresh ginger and whole vanilla beans, and it is seriously the best thing ever. Aloha and Happy Thanksgiving from Caroline!

[Laura]

I actually had that exact drink last weekend at the rooftop bar of Hotel Empire in NYC! It was absolutely delicious. Clearly you're ahead of the trend :)

[Ashley]

Elderflower liquer is what they put in those "Wittinis" at the Book Cellar last year when you were there Jen! Those were sooo good. Yes, so good I got WASTED at a bookstore. Ahhh...classy.

[deb]

Elderflower martini's are so yummy, I bet this concoction is just as yummylicous!

[JenBun]

Yum yum! Thanks, Jen!

Happy Turkey Day!!! :D

[Suzie]

Oh this lady is so going to be drinking lots of those this season! My current fave is a mix I threw together! Its starts with some amaretto, add champagne, and top with a splash of pomengranate juice. Yum!

[Kim]

that sounds so yummy!!!
..and I'm all about having all 6 servings myself!

[Eileen Cook]

We found this great 1940's cocktail cookbook- since then I've been hooked on sidecars. mmmm sidecar.

[amy g]

"I've been meaning to take up drinking... this clinches it!"
(Name that movie quote -- hint: substitute smoking for drinking.)

[Emily]

Sounds like a great way to celebrate my birthday! (December 8!)