This is not your Grandmother’s eggnog!
The holidays have arrived along with that time of year to celebrate this year’s memories and milestones with gratitude. It is also time to plan with excitement for everything that the new year will bring. If you are hosting a holiday party or just sitting home by the fire with your loved ones, here's a holiday drink that is sure to become a traditional yearly holiday drink in your home.
Some people hear the word "eggnog"and they relate it to other old time Christmas traditions like fruit cakes & finger sandwiches who's popularity has been lost along with many other Christmas traditions. Growing up every Christmas Eve we would jump into the family station wagon and head to my Great Aunt & Uncle's home in Elizabeth, New Jersey where we would be greeted at the door. Walking into their antique row home was like walking right back into the 1950's. It was complete, my uncle always sporting a tie and my aunt in her lace apron. Behind them the walls were covered in wallpaper alongside the velvet chairs and cherry furniture. The dining room table was fully dressed with beautiful linens, dishes of candy and yes, finger sandwiches! We would always await the chance to make our way up the grand staircase to use the bathroom with the greater excitement of using the hidden back staircase that lead into the kitchen. The kitchen was complete with a vintage wood cooking stove that was the grand showpiece to the room.
But the moment all us kids waited for was SANTA of course! Now we are Norwegian, so Santa was an old fashion European Santa. I clearly remember the year that I discovered that my Uncle Bart not only wore the same watch as Santa, who would show up in a vintage plastic Santa mask, but my uncle also always seemed to magically disappear at the same time as Santa appeared. Santa would come carrying a sack full of presents for myself, my sister and all of my cousins. There was a very special energy in their home.
Back then as a child I wasn't a huge eggnog fan as I am as an adult. Maybe because it wasn't combined into an adult holiday martini as I consume eggnog today. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate eggnog, but it's thick texture limited my desire to one small glass, preferably on ice to help dilute it. My Classic Holiday Eggnog Martini will sure change your mind about the good old fashion eggnog drink.
Serving Suggestions:
Chill Your Martini Glasses:
Always make sure you chill your martini glasses. It will keep your martini cooler longer and absolutely makes for a better martini. Chill your glasses ahead of time in the freezer or add ice cubes & cold water to the glass for 5 minutes before serving.
Plan Ahead & Make A Pitcher:
Make a pitcher full because you are going to need it! Don't say that I didn't warn you how smooth and fast they go down. I have served these to many guests who when I offered a martini to them, they were hesitant because of the word "eggnog". I would find myself quickly back at the bar away from my guests making a few more rounds. I have turned many eggnog haters into fans with this recipe.
Get Creative & Stay Organized:
Nothing is worse at a party than to lose your drink and not sure when you find it that it's definitely yours. That's why I’m a huge fan of drink tags. There's no more perfect drink tag at the holidays than gift tags. You can pick them up cheap and simply have your guests write their name on it. If you want to take it to the next level you can write ahead of time a tag for each guest in calligraphy. I have created mini fresh garland wreaths leftover from extra branches from my Christmas tree to decorate each martini glass stem.
Classic Holiday Eggnog Martini
Makes:
1 Martini
Ingredients:
Chilled Martini Glass
5 ounces eggnog
3 ounces Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka
2 ounces Amaretto
Fresh Grated Nutmeg
For gatherings make ahead a few batches using the larger recipe below:
Makes :
1 Pitcher (8 Martinis)
Ingredients:
40 ounces eggnog
24 ounces Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka
16 ounces Amaretto
Fresh Grated Nutmeg
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