I love this time of the year. It’s the holiday season and for me the next couple of months are a time to indulge without feeling guilty. (At least that’s what I tell myself!) Two of my favorite adult traditions this time of the year are apple cider and hot chocolate.

Outdoor drinks by the fire pit
The leaves have changed color and football season is in full bloom. These are the times to be outside at night near a fire pit. Fall is apple season, and nothing brings me closer to the season then a roaring fire, the crisp night air, the bright twinkle of autumn stars, and the soothing warmth provided by a hot apple cider with spices and my favorite spirit. There are literally thousands of different ways to take ordinary apple cider and make it extraordinary. Here are a few suggestions, but I encourage you to go online and check out what else is available. The key is to have fun and mix it up!

Hot ‘Spiked’ Cider
1 quart fresh cider
1 large cinnamon stick
Zest from one lemon
Sprinkle clove powder
3 grates fresh nutmeg
Your choice of bourbon or whiskey (or whatever you like!)
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in saucepan and bring to simmer. Strain and serve.
*Remember that some people like it robust and some people don’t. I usually add just a little alcohol to begin with and let my guests add more, if they like.

Hot buttered Rum cider (yields six)
6 tablespoons butter (Don’t use margarine and forget the calories)
6 tablespoons packed brown sugar
¾ cup dark rum
6 cups apple cider
½ teaspoon whole cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cinnamon sticks
Preparation:
Heat cider, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon to boiling in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Strain cider mixture to remove cloves and cinnamon. Place 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons rum into each mug. Fill with hot cider.

Indoor Drinks by the fireplace
After the fall leaves are gone and football season comes to a close, old man winter really starts to kick in. These are the indoor days – days that should be spent in front of a fire with someone you love. This is the time to indulge yourself in the finer things in life, and nothing does that better than a rich cup of hot chocolate. By the way, leave the marshmallows to the kids and instead add a little “something extra” to give your hot chocolate a boost.
I like to use real chocolate instead of powder. One product I like is Nestlé’s Abuelita. I get mine from Cuco’s market on Henderson Road; it’s a Mexican chocolate that gives my hot chocolate an extra kick traditional chocolate doesn’t have.

My Favorite Hot Chocolate
3 cups hot chocolate
1/3 to ½ cup Kahlúa or Tia Maria
½ cup chilled heavy cream
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Chocolate shavings
Preparation:
Bring hot chocolate to a simmer in a 3-quart saucepan; stir in Kahlúa or Tia Maria to taste.
While hot chocolate is heating, beat cream with cocoa and 2 tablespoons sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until it just holds soft peaks.
Garnish hot chocolate with chocolate whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Hot Chocolate Grand Marnier (Makes 4 drinks)
1 cup half and half
2 cups milk
½ cup orange juice
6 oz bitter sweet chocolate finely chopped
1/3 cup Grand Mariner
Preparation:
Heat half and half, milk, and orange juice until just boiling. In a mixing bowl, add about 2/3 cup of hot milk to the chocolate and whip smooth. Add the rest of the milk and whisk again. Simmer for about 2 minutes to reheat through and add Grand Marnier to taste.

David McMahon is a certified sommelier and manages Jasons, in Dublin. He is a contributing writer for Luxury Living Magazine.


Hosting a Christmas party and lacking creativity? Try one of these spirited recipes that would make even the Grinch happy.
Zentini
1 part ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
2 parts vodka
Splash of lime juice
Shake and serve in a martini glass.

ZEN Milkshake
2 oz ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2 oz. milk
Shake well; pour into martini glass. If desired, garnish with a very small scoop of green tea ice cream.

Very Berry Martini
2 oz Martin Miller’s Gin
¾ oz Crème de Casis
½ oz grenadine
Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Pour into martini glass and garnish with fresh berries.

Merry Irishman
2 parts Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey
1 part coffee liqueur
½ part Mint Schnapps
Serve over ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a candy cane.

Midori Mistletoe Punch
1 part Vodka
1 part champagne
1 part Midori
2 parts pineapple juice
1 part soda water
Prepare in a punch bowl or any bowl 5-liters-plus; pour over ice. Garnish with mistletoe or candy cane.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE bonus: What can possibly be more romantic than a gift of wine and chocolate? Sher-Bliss Wine and Chocolate Shop, www.sherbliss.com, offers wine bottles dipped in decadent chocolate – perfect for a hostess gift or just to say “I love you.” Bottles range from $15-$35.