Holiday Spirits: 6 Fun & Festive Drinks Worth Making

It’s mid-December and we all know what that means: holiday party season is in full swing. As you don your ugly sweaters and prepare for Santa swaps and other merriment, consider skipping the traditional egg nog for some more fresh and festive cocktails. We’ve found some delicious holiday spirits that will have everyone full of Christmas cheers!

Holly Jolly Jell-O Shots – These red and green creations are the perfect mix between cocktails and finger food. Guests can enjoy a playful bite, and there are no cups for you to tidy later!

Image via Tablespoon 

Sensational Blackberry Sparkler – With its mix of red, gold, and green, this ombre sparkler is a beautiful cocktail to serve at your holiday party. Whether you’re drinking to good health or the New Year, it’s the perfect beverage to sip.

Image via the Cookie Rookie

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate – This decadent and sweet concoction is perfect for cold days and serving to party guests who don’t want to imbibe. White chocolate and peppermint complement each other nicely, and when topped with crushed peppermint candies, this drink looks like Christmas in a cup.

Image via Gimme Some Oven

Cranberry Ginger Moscow Mule – We love this festive twist on the Moscow mule. The cranberries pair well with the vodka and ginger beer creating a fabulous seasonal drink. Definitely a must-make!

Image via A Brown Table

Apple Cider Mimosa – Hosting a holiday brunch? These apple cider mimosas should absolutely be on your menu! Not only are they extremely easy to make (we’re talking two ingredients here, people!) they look great.

Image via The Cookie Rookie

Hot Cinnamon Cranberry Punch – Cranberry, orange, lemon, cloves, and cinnamon combine to create this warm, festive beverage. Perfect for sipping by a hot fire, we’re sure your guests will love this sweet drink.

Image via Dessert Planet

We hope these fun cocktails help to add some festive cheer to your holiday parties. Whether you’re gathering with friends, coworkers, or family, we wish you and your guests a wonderful holiday season. And remember, if you create any of these cocktails, make sure to share some snaps with us on Instagram or Twitter!

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8 "BOO"-zey Drinks That Will Slay at Any Halloween Party

The big day is almost here! We’ve been counting down for weeks, sharing decor ideas and spooky recipes, and now the wait is nearly over. Halloween is this Saturday and we couldn’t be more excited. Whether you’re throwing your own scary shindig or attending a friend’s fearsome fiesta, we’ve got some gruesome drinks you’ve got to make this year! You’ll be the host with the most or the best guest – either way, we’re sure everyone will be excited to sip these themed bevvies.

Mr. Hyde Potion – Let your inner monster out (in a good way!) with this creepy concoction. Dry ice creates a nice effect, but isn’t totally necessary for this fun drink.

Image via HGTV

Fallen Froggie – Melon liquor, Irish crème, and grenadine combine (or rather, don’t quite combine) to create this neat-looking shot. 

Image via DrinkedIn

Spooky Sangria – Think sangria is just for sipping on patios in the summer? Think again! With a little spiced brandy and some colorful sugar, this summery beverage is perfect for Halloween.

Image via Well Plated

Vampire-tini – This clever drink is simple to make and so much fun! We love the vampire teeth garnish. They’re sweet, spooky, and perfect if someone forgot a costume!

Image via Cooking With Sugar

Black & Orange Rum Punch – With two kinds of rum this cocktail certainly packs a punch! A nice mix of orange, pineapple, and lime juice, it’s sure to keep everyone refreshed.

Image via Brit + Co

Black Licorice Delight – First of all, we’ve got to say: black ice cubes are beyond perfect for Halloween! Add them to this cocktail and any other you decide to make this year. Second: this is a seriously delicious drink. We’re big fans of black licorice, so this bevvy is right up our alley. If you love all things anise or licorice, this is definitely a must-make.

Image via Camille Styles

Brain Hemorrhage – We couldn’t resist sharing another crème based shooter where the ingredients don’t quite mix. This brain hemorrhage shot is genius! It looks positively disgusting and is a breeze to put together. Everyone will say yuck, then yum!

Image via A Year Of Cocktails

Radish Eyeballs – Ok, you caught us. This isn’t a drink, but rather a garnish recipe. That said, it’s one heck of a garnish recipe (Martha Stewart never disappoints). Add some spooky flare to any of your Halloween drinks with a grape, lychee, blueberry, or cranberry eyeball! With so many flavors, there’s sure to be a kind that compliments your beverage.

Image via Martha Stewart

We hope these cocktail recipes help to add a little fun and warmth to your Halloween party. As always, please enjoy them responsibly and never drink and drive. We hope you and yours have a spooktacular Halloween!

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The Ultimate Caesar Recipe: How to Make Canada's Cocktail

Invented in Alberta, the Caesar is arguably one of Canada’s most patriotic drinks. You can certainly try to order it outside of the country, but it’s rare that the bartender is able to truly capture this Canadian concoction. Why the rest of the world fears Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and horseradish, we may never know, but one thing is for sure, the Bloody Mary doesn’t come anywhere close to as good – no matter how many slices of pizza it’s garnished with. 

And so, in honour of Canada Day and the imminent hangovers many of you face, we present the ultimate Caesar recipe. Drink up, proud Canadians, drink up.

Ingredients

• Ice
• Vodka
• Worcestershire sauce
• Horseradish
• Pepper
• Hot sauce
• Pickle juice (optional)
• A pickle (optional)
• Celery salt
• Clamato
• Garnish of your choice - most common are celery stalks and limes (optional)

Directions

Step 1: Rim your glass with celery salt.

Step 2: Add ice to you glass (we usually put in 4-6 cubes, depending on their size and the size of the glass).

Step 3: Pour a shot (or two, if you’re feeling bold) of vodka over the ice.

Step 4: Add several shakes of Worcestershire sauce. We’re talking 5-8 shakes; you want the colour of the beverage to be a nice, murky brown. (There’s no such thing as too much Worcestershire sauce, in our opinion).

Step 5: Add a bit of hot sauce (use your discretion on this; make it as spicy as you can handle).

Step 6: Add a forkful of horseradish.

Step 7: Add a dash of pepper (two or three twists of your mill).

Step 8: Stir.

Step 9: Add your pickle juice (approximately a shot, depending on how much you like pickles).

Step 10: Stir again.

Step 11: Fill the glass halfway with Clamato juice

Step 12: Add your pickle.

Step 13: Stir again.

Step 14: Fill the rest of the glass with Clamato.

Step 15: Stir again (no, really – it’s important to get all those flavours mixed together!) and garnish it 

if you’d like.

Step 16: Serve and enjoy.

We hope this delicious beverage finds its way into your Canada Day celebrations. Think your family recipe is better? Share a picture and your recipe with @HomeShows on Instagram and Twitter, and we’ll make sure to try it at our festivities. 

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Cold Season: Soothe Your Sore Throat

As you take the bus to work or grab a coffee from your favorite shop you may start to notice an increase in the amount of runny noses and hearty coughs you encounter. Whether it’s the guy you’re standing next to or the person taking your order, there are a lot of sick people about. Cold season is upon us. The dip in temperature combined with the beginning of one of the busiest times of the year, the holidays, seems to get many sick. If you’re an unfortunate member of this bunch, we’ve got something to help soothe your achy throat. Check out the recipe below, drink up, and take it easy.

Image via the kitchen

What you'll need:

• One lemon
• Two teaspoons of cayenne pepper
• Boiling water
• One mug

How to make it:

• Juice your lemon
• Remove the seeds and add the juice to your mug
• Stir in your cayenne pepper
• Add your boiling water
• Stir again

Why it works:

The cayenne pepper is rough, so it will cut up your throat. This allows the high concentrations of Vitamin C from your lemon to seep into your throat tissue. The hot water helps to dilute the concoction, and soothes your throat. We know this beverage doesn’t taste the best, but it will help to speed the recovery of your throat. Although there is no cure to the common cold, we encourage sufferers to drink lots of liquids and get plenty of rest.

Image via Anthropologie

Tip: Make sure to wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth when you cough to help limit the spread of your illness.  

What do you eat or drink to help yourself feel better when you’re sick? Do you choose a classic like chicken noodle soup and ginger ale or is there a secret family recipe that you trust? Let us know below. 

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The Perfect Holiday Cocktail

SEASON'S GREETINGS, CHEERS! 

Many of you have your classic holiday recipes, but one thing you may be lacking this season is a recipe for The Perfect Holiday Cocktail!  Thankfully, Home and Garden Events is here to save the day, and the party.  Below is the recipe and guide for our favourite holiday beverage; have your bar ready with all the essentials, and make them on the fly all night long.  Without the vodka, even the kids can enjoy this drink with you!

SUPPLIES

Cranberries

Mint Leaves

Cranberry Soda (Use cranberry juice and soda water if you can't find cranberry soda) 

Vodka (Optional, feel free to keep your cocktail virgin) 

Red Sugar Crystals

Check out the full guide below on Snapguide! 

Check out How to Make a Holiday Cocktail by Andrée of @HomeShows on Snapguide.

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Holiday Gifting: D.I.Y Cork Coasters

Click here for tickets to the Central Florida Home + Garden Show!

It's gift giving season!  As you prepare your list, consider making a few of your gifts this year. Impress your friends and family with some do-it-yourself presents. Our D.I.Y. Cork Coasters will protect the table while delighting guests.  See how we made them below on Snapguide!   

SUPPLIES

Cork

Scissors

Mod Podge

Acrylic Paint

Check out the full tutorial below!

Check out How to Make Cork Coasters by Andrée of @HomeShows on Snapguide.

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A Perfect End-Of-Summer Mojito

(source)

While there are some prepackaged Mojito mixes on the shelves nowadays, homemade is always best! Here’s an easy Mojito recipe that will not disappoint.

5 Steps

1. Add 2 tsp sugar, the juice of half a lime, and 2 sprigs of fresh mint to a cylindrical glass
2. Mash the mint leaves inside the class using a muddler or the back of a spoon
3. Load the glass up with ice
4. Add 45 ml of light rum
5. Add 90 ml of sparkling water to the same glass

When you're done, grab a book or a friend and relax outside!

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