Shops playing the same 20 songs on repeat. Trying to sleep in an uncomfortable airport chair after a delayed flight. The new Hunger Games movie. A shopping mall that resembles The Hunger Games. Starbucks holiday drink drama.
?These images, sounds, and pumpkin spice smells let us know that, finally, the most wonderful time of the year is upon us. The stress, spending, and rigmarole every holiday season brings with it nostalgia and remembrance of hectic holidays long ago.
Then there are the ugly sweater parties, the office parties, the kids parties, that all lead up to the official family shabang. For those hosting and (inevitably) overwhelmed by trying to be the host or hostess with the mostest, take a shot at one of these punchbowls. The beauty of them is, you only have to mix them once, then guests can do the rest of the work themselves.
Templeton Rye Apple Punch
Courtesy of Templeton Rye
Ingredients:
6 cups Apple Cider
3 cups Templeton Rye
1 ½ to 3 cups Hard Cider
20 dashes Angostura Bitters
Preparation:
Mix together the apple cider, Templeton Rye and bitters in a large punch bowl. Before serving, stir in hard cider to taste and add ice. Season the punch to taste with extra bitters Serve with extra ice as needed.
Creme d’Irie
Courtesy of Diane Corcoran, Three Dots and a Dash, Chicago
Ingredients:
2 qt. Appleton Estate Special Reserve rum
2 qt. Duquesne Aged Rhum Agricole
1 Gallon Half-and-Half
1 1/2 qt. Coconut Purée (such as Ponthier or Boiron brands)
1 1/2 qt. Simple Syrup
1/2 qt. Lusteau East India Sherry
1 qt. Water
Freshly grated cinnamon and nutmeg
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Crushed ice
Preparation:
Whisk together all cocktail ingredients in a large punch bowl until combined. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and freshly grated nutmeg. Serve drinks individually over crushed ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick and more nutmeg.
