I have made this spiced cider every Christmas for the last 29 years. My son insists on it. It is delicious hot or cold. Just the right combination of sweet and tangy. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

HOT SPICED CIDER

2 quarts apple cider (not juice)
1 and 1/2 quarts cranberry juice
3 cinnamon sticks
1 and 1/2 tsp. whole cloves
1/4 cup brown sugar

Bring all ingredients to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove cloves and cinnamon sticks. Serve hot or cold. Makes approximately 12 servings.

I love hot buttered rum. This is a basic recipe from Emeril:

Ingredients

* 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
* 2 cups light brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
* Pinch ground cloves
* Pinch salt
* Bottle dark rum
* Boiling water

Directions

In a bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Refrigerate until almost firm. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture into 12 small mugs. Pour about 3 ounces of rum into each mug (filling about halfway). Top with boiling water (to fill the remaining half), stir well, and serve immediately.

Mulled wine is also a good warming drink. This recipe looks right from About.com. I'd use whole allspice rather than ginger.

When winter weather swirls in, nothing could be cozier than a toasty mug of mulled wine. Mulled wine, the vineâÂÂs version of a classic hot toddy, is a traditional holiday treat in many Old World countries. Mulled wines have been warming people for centuries, they are wines that have been sweetened, spiced and slightly heated - offering a delightful alternative to traditional coffees, ciders and toddyâÂÂs at holiday gatherings or just on a cold winter's night.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:

* One bottle (750 mL) of red wine (suggestions: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot)
* One peeled and sliced orange (keep peel to add zest to taste into cooking pot)
* 1/4 cup of brandy
* 8-10 cloves
* 2/3 cup honey or sugar
* 3 cinnamon sticks
* 1 tsp fresh or 2 tsp ground ginger (allspice can be substituted)
* Serves 4-6

Preparation:

To make the perfect cup of mulled wine, combine all ingredients in either a large pot or a slow cooker. Gently warm the ingredients on low to medium heat (avoid boiling), for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure that the honey or sugar has completely dissolved. When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have been well blended it is ready to serve. Ladle the mulled wine into mugs (leave seasonings behind) and enjoy!

This link looks like it has lots of ideas. Off to read...

Here is a link that might be useful: Festive drinks.

I think the Canada Dry marketing must be working on me, because I think of cold cocktails with gingerale (we also drink in a warm room with a fire). I'm fond of gingerale with vodka or rum and cranberry sorbet. Real egg nog is always wonderful, too.

This punch is good and makes enough for a crowd. As does the sangria recipe below it. The punch is clear and sparkling so the ice brittle adds color. You can use anything you like in the ice brittle, for the holidays mint leaves and pomegranate berries would be fun.

I have also linked to the recent thread on fun martinis that May posted. lots of good martini ideas there.

Glacier Punch
Source BH&G Holiday Appetizers 1999

2 c citrus vodka (may sub raspberry or cherry flavored)
2/3 c orange liqueur
2 T kirsch
1/2 c peach schnapps-(my addition)
4 c ice cubes
1 750-ml bottle champagne, chilled
2 c carbonated water, chilled

Sugar (optional)
Ice Brittle

Combine vodka, orange liqueur, kirsch, schnapps and ice cubes in punch bowl. Carefully add champagne and carbonated water. If desired, sweeten with a little sugar. Top with chunks of Ice Brittle.

Ice Brittle: Pour 1 c water into a 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan. Sprinkle surface evenly with edible flowers such as marigold, calendula, viola, pansy or dianthus. Sprinkle surface evenly with 1 c fresh raspberries or other fresh fruit. Freeze 3 hours or overnight. Unmold and break into chunks. ~~I used mint leaves in place of flowers~~

Yes, any of the hot drinks above. I like to use the crock pot as my "punch bowl" for these winter party drinks - always adding cinnamon sticks. It makes your house smell heavenly and festive too.

I like punches for parties because people can serve (and refill) themselves and you don't have to worry about the alcohol and fixings for every person's preferred drink. Everyone loves punch. And you can mix refills in advance and keep them in the fridge until needed. Bring back the punch bowl!

How about ginger martinis? My DH found this recipe on Food Network a few years ago and has become a master at them. After you've made the ginger syrup, don't throw out the pulpy gingery lemon paste. It makes a great addition to cakes and cookies. I freeze it in ice cube trays and use it all winter long.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ginger Martinis

My version of hot cider is really dummbed down... in a saucepan I hear up apple juice with whole cloves and broken cinnamon sticks.

I think I may take a copy of the hot buttered rum drink home for tonight :-)