Now that was fun! No one was hurt, I learned a skill that will bring great joy to others and I had a designated driver to get me home!

Drink one Cranberry Cocktail:

1 ounce Voldka

1/2 ounce Contreau

1/2 ounce Chambard

a splash of Cranberry Juice

Give it all a shake in a shaker, garnish with macerated cranberries and serve!

At this point you may be wondering what “maceration” is! So was I.

Wise geek says: “Maceration refers to soaking or steeping a substance so that it softens.  Alcohol is often used in maceration, because it helps to soften foods and it can serve as a vehicle for flavoring since many flavors are soluble in alcohol.  Foods macerated in alcohol also have a distinctive kick which some people find quite enjoyable, especially when paired with desserts.”  In this case the cranberries where macerated in vodka!

I also learned that you can double, quadruple or make a big old pitcher of this mix for a party, just keep multiplying the amounts by how much you need to make, it’s not like baking where amounts start to change.  Now, when making this drink for more than one at once, you won’t want to “shake” it, you will just stir it in whatever container you want to use. Why do people use a shaker at all? For this drink, when you shake it, little pieces of ice break off and float in the drink when it is served, keeps it cold.. and pretty!

Drink two Chocolate & Peppermint Shot:

1/2 ounce chocolate voldka

1/2 ounce creme de menthe

1/2 ounce creme de caco

However much cream you need (36%)

This made 3 shots! Give it a good shake in the shaker, pour into shot glasses and you have a shot even the most squeamish can do.

In this case you shake it over ice because the alcohol will melt the ice and give you more liquid in the drink so it will pour more shots!

Drink 3 Rum and Maple Eggnog:

This traditional drink was divine!

The drink we made had home made eggnog! FABULOUS! To keep it easier on all of us, you can just buy a carton at the grocery store and go from there.  You can add some real maple syrup to the carton you buy to give it an extra kick. I would suggest making a big punch bowl of this for everyone, over the age of 19, to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

1 ounce white rum

1 ounce dark rum

1 ounce spiced rum

Shakey, shakey and serve in a sugar and cinnamon rimmed glass!!

Remember no matter what, sleeping on someones living room floor is better then getting into a car and driving after too many drinks.

Merry Christmas!

Just for fun…

10 Reasons to Drink During the Holidays

Big Thank you’s to Edan Fay the Executive Chef and Resort Manager at Lake Okanagan resort for taking the time to teach me a few drinks and also Aoife O’Neil’ of “Mind Your Business ~ Personal Assistant Service” who took the time out from her busy schedule to hold the camera for me… and drive me home!