Everybody loves the holiday season! The snowy streets, the glowing colorful lights, the smell of hot cocoa and cookies in the air, the holiday décor draped from every store window, and even maybe the sound of Christmas music playing in every business in town may make you a bit nostalgic during this season. It truly is “the most wonderful time of the year”.
So, as you are getting into the festive spirit this year, don’t forget about festive spirits! Holiday cocktails, that is! There are so many ways to add a little bit of holiday cheer to your tried and true favorite cocktails. Just by adding a hint of peppermint or cinnamon can make your boring go-to drink into a fun and festive holiday cocktail.
Of course, we cannot forget about the classic adult holiday drinks like Eggnog, Mulled Wine, and Spiked Hot Cocoa. These signature beverages actually have deeply rooted history past just being an essential part to the holiday season.
In fact, Eggnog actually originated from the early medieval Britain “posset”, a hot, milky ale-like drink. By the 13thcentury, monks were known to drink a posset with eggs and figs. It first became tied to the holidays when the drink originally found its way to the United States in the 1700s. Mexico and Puerto Rico then adopted different variations of eggnog at this time, often adding coconut milk to the mixture. It is said that the word “nog” in the name comes from “noggin,” meaning a wooden cup, or “grog,” a strong beer. By the late 18th century, the combined term “eggnog” stuck. A classic eggnog cocktail is made from a blend of milk, cream, egg yolk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract typically mixed with either bourbon or rum, depending on preference.
Mulled wine originated in the 2nd century and was created by the Romans who would heat wine to defend their bodies against the cold winter. Throughout the middle ages, its popularity grew and Europeans began to mix the heated wine with spices, as it was believed this would promote health and avoid sickness. They would then add herbs and flowers as natural sweeteners. Mulled wine did not become associated with Christmas time until the 1890s when wine merchants all across Sweden were crafting their own unique recipes to share. Over the next several decades, it became a global phenomenon, with countries all over the world creating their own blends. To craft a batch of mulled wine requires red wine, port, oranges, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. These delicious drinks are a staple to the holiday season and are perfect for warming yourself up on a cold winter night.
While the origins of spiked hot cocoa itself are much less identifiable, the history of hot cocoa dates back all the way to 500 BC in Mexico. At this time, the Mayans drank chocolate made from ground-up cocoa seeds mixed with water, cornmeal, and chili peppers. Then, in the early 1500s, an explorer brought cocoa beans and the chocolate drink-making tools to Europe. There, King Charles V and the Spanish upper class adopted this drink as well. It was not until the 1700s in London that hot cocoa was put on the market officially being sold in “chocolate houses”, which are similar to modern day coffee shops. Today, it is a very popularized beverage, specifically around the holiday season for all ages. However, the 21+ folks can make the drink a bit more exciting by adding whiskey, rum, or cognac.
So, if you are searching for one of this festive holiday cocktails this season, come join us at our Holiday Cocktail Festival at Moe’s Cantina in River North. This event will take place on Saturday, December 19th from 12pm-4pm. Visit our website chicagotwentysomething.com to get your tickets now!
Everybody loves the holiday season! The snowy streets, the glowing colorful lights, the smell of hot cocoa and cookies in the air, the holiday décor draped from every store window, and even maybe the sound of Christmas music playing in every business in town may make you a bit nostalgic during this season. It truly is “the most wonderful time of the year”.
So, as you are getting into the festive spirit this year, don’t forget about festive spirits! Holiday cocktails, that is! There are so many ways to add a little bit of holiday cheer to your tried and true favorite cocktails. Just by adding a hint of peppermint or cinnamon can make your boring go-to drink into a fun and festive holiday cocktail.
Of course, we cannot forget about the classic adult holiday drinks like Eggnog, Mulled Wine, and Spiked Hot Cocoa. These signature beverages actually have deeply rooted history past just being an essential part to the holiday season.
In fact, Eggnog actually originated from the early medieval Britain “posset”, a hot, milky ale-like drink. By the 13thcentury, monks were known to drink a posset with eggs and figs. It first became tied to the holidays when the drink originally found its way to the United States in the 1700s. Mexico and Puerto Rico then adopted different variations of eggnog at this time, often adding coconut milk to the mixture. It is said that the word “nog” in the name comes from “noggin,” meaning a wooden cup, or “grog,” a strong beer. By the late 18th century, the combined term “eggnog” stuck. A classic eggnog cocktail is made from a blend of milk, cream, egg yolk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract typically mixed with either bourbon or rum, depending on preference.
Mulled wine originated in the 2nd century and was created by the Romans who would heat wine to defend their bodies against the cold winter. Throughout the middle ages, its popularity grew and Europeans began to mix the heated wine with spices, as it was believed this would promote health and avoid sickness. They would then add herbs and flowers as natural sweeteners. Mulled wine did not become associated with Christmas time until the 1890s when wine merchants all across Sweden were crafting their own unique recipes to share. Over the next several decades, it became a global phenomenon, with countries all over the world creating their own blends. To craft a batch of mulled wine requires red wine, port, oranges, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. These delicious drinks are a staple to the holiday season and are perfect for warming yourself up on a cold winter night.
While the origins of spiked hot cocoa itself are much less identifiable, the history of hot cocoa dates back all the way to 500 BC in Mexico. At this time, the Mayans drank chocolate made from ground-up cocoa seeds mixed with water, cornmeal, and chili peppers. Then, in the early 1500s, an explorer brought cocoa beans and the chocolate drink-making tools to Europe. There, King Charles V and the Spanish upper class adopted this drink as well. It was not until the 1700s in London that hot cocoa was put on the market officially being sold in “chocolate houses”, which are similar to modern day coffee shops. Today, it is a very popularized beverage, specifically around the holiday season for all ages. However, the 21+ folks can make the drink a bit more exciting by adding whiskey, rum, or cognac.
So, if you are searching for one of this festive holiday cocktails this season, come join us at our Holiday Cocktail Festival at Moe’s Cantina in River North. This event will take place on Saturday, December 19th from 12pm-4pm. Visit our website chicagotwentysomething.com to get your tickets now!
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