An Eclectic Holiday Celebration

An Eclectic Holiday Celebration

The USA is a melting pot of cultures. We have such a great opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our great nation. During the holiday season, my family throws a consecutive 12 day holiday celebration. We invite 12 different groups (10 people per group on average) of family and friends over to our home to share in the celebration of the holiday season. We ask everyone to bring and share a favorite dish or beverage from their culture at the gathering. The range of diversity of our friends and family is extraordinary, including but not limited to folks from Irish, Colombian, French, Jamaican, Italian, Jewish, Swedish, and Russian backgrounds. The food is always wonderful, and the drinks can be even better. Everyone must write and explain the history of the food or drink item with the group. 

Are you considering an eclectic holiday celebration? 

Here are three of the best and festive Holiday drink recipes that have been shared by my family and friends to consider trying during this Holiday season. Enjoy, and may you all have a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Holiday Drink Recipe #1: Swedish Glogg

History: Glogg is a traditional drink of the Swedish & Finnish Advent season - Advent being the six weeks leading up to the Birth of Christ on the 25th of December. Glogg is traditionally made with red wine, and each small glass has a few almonds and raisins in it as well as the drink. December in this region is a dark, wintry time, and this hot drink helps keep the spirits cheered.

Glogg's origins are with mulled wine - wine heated with spices. Mulled wine was known to medieval Europeans and celebrated from at least 400AD. In the 1800s, a special mulled wine was popular in Europe known as "Glühwein", which began to incorporate the special Glogg ingredients - raisins and almonds. Glogg also tends to have more sugar as well as a heavier alcohol content. Given the frigid winters seen in Scandanavia, this can be quite necessary! Gingersnaps, Gingerbread, and cinnamon rolls are pairings associated with glogg, as are good friends and family!

•    2 (750 milliliter) bottles fruity red wine, such as a Maison Louis Jadot Beaujolais

•    1 (750 milliliter) bottle port wine

•    3 (3 inch) ceylon cinnamon stick

•    14 whole cloves

•    1 orange, peel cut into thin strips

•    1 cup white sugar, or to taste

•    3/4 cup rum, or to taste

•    1/4 cup brandy, or to taste

•    1 cup raisins

•    1 cup slivered almonds

Directions:

Pour wine into a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Wrap orange zest, cinnamon sticks, cardamom and cloves in cheesecloth, tie with kitchen string and put into pot. Let boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in almonds and raisins and continue to boil for 15 more minutes. Remove from heat.

Place a wire grill over the pot and cover with sugar cubes. Slowly pour on brandy, making sure to completely saturate the sugar. Light sugar with a match and let it flame. When sugar has melted, cover pot with lid to extinguish flame.

Stir and remove spice bag. Serve hot in cups with a few almonds and raisins.

Holiday Drink Recipe #2: Jamaican Sorrel Christmas Drink

This drink is truly indicative of Christmas in Jamaica!!! Sorrel is the Jamaican word for hibiscus, a flower which grows abundantly on the island. Even though this drink is served on ice, sorrel retains the flavors of the holiday season – cinnamon, all spice, fresh ginger. For those who wish, rum sends it over the edge for a truly relaxing holiday season.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole, dried sorrel (a.k.a. dried hibiscus)

2 inches ginger, sliced in thin coins for mild flavor, or chopped/grated for stronger flavor.

The peel of 1 orange

2 cinnamon sticks

6 cups water

Sugar to taste (about 1 cup seemed good to me)

For diluting:

Water, rum, and/or ice, as desired

Directions:

Peel the orange and slice (or grate) the ginger. Add all ingredients to a pot, cover and bring to a gentle simmer. This took about 10 minutes. Then simmer for another 30 minutes to extract all the spiced goodness. Cool and refrigerate overnight for strongest flavor. Strain, mix with ice, water and – if you’re feeling plucky – rum. Recipe Copyright Sasha Martin, Global Table Adventure. For personal or educational use only.

Holiday Drink Recipe #3: Russian Eggnog

Although this drink is associated with being “Russian”, it is far from Russian at all. This twist on the popular classic “White Russian” drink is perfect for the festivities of the holiday season. We salute the Russian culture for their part in producing the wonderful vodka used in this recipe. It warms the heart and soul. Happy Holidays!

Eggnog Recipe:

•     12 large eggs

•     1-1/2 cups sugar

•     1/2 teaspoon salt

•     2 quarts milk, divided

•     2 tablespoons vanilla extract

•     1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

•     2 cups heavy whipping cream

•    Additional nutmeg, optional

Directions:

1. In a heavy 4-qt. saucepan, whisk together eggs, sugar and salt. Gradually add 1 qt. of milk. Cook and stir over low heat until a thermometer reads 160°-170°, about 30-35 minutes.

2. Pour into a large heatproof bowl; stir in the vanilla nutmeg and remaining milk. Place bowl in an ice-water bath, stirring frequently until mixture is cool. If mixture separates, process in a blender until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

3. When ready to serve, beat cream in a large bowl on high until soft peaks form; whisk gently into cooled milk mixture. Pour into a chilled 5-qt. punch bowl. Sprinkle with nutmeg if desired.

Russian Eggnog:

•    1 ounce spiced rum

•    1 ounce coffee flavored liqueur

•    1 ounce Russian vodka

•    3/4 cup eggnog

•    1 pinch ground nutmeg

Directions:

Pour the vodka, spiced rum and coffee liqueur into a glass. Top with eggnog. Stir and sprinkle some nutmeg on the top.

*** Drink Safely. Be Merry.