Let’s all admit it, eggnog sucks. Why do we subject ourselves to this gelatinous, milky concoction year in and year out? It’s a torture we all endure for the holidays, as if for some reason it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa, Mistletoe and a stomach full of boozy dairy that’s going to be no fun for anyone in a few hours. There’s a reason your Aunt Elma stays locked in the upstairs bathroom on the night of Christmas Eve, and it’s not the cooking.
But the saddest thing we miss out on when we choose eggnog as our holiday drink of choice isn’t a stomach free of nausea, it’s all of the other incredible winter cocktails that get short shrift in favor of a beverage we should have stopped drinking years ago. With that in mind, here are three awesome cocktails you should be drinking instead.
The Hot Toddy
Not only is this drink delicious, but many think it’s one of the best cures out there for the common cold, especially if you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep. The hot toddy is thought to have originated in Scotland where it was created by the East India Company, which took inspiration for the drink from the hot Indian drink of the same name that’s made from fermented Palm Tree Sap. Scotch is the traditional whiskey used in the drink, but any whiskey will do.
The Ingredients
- 1 Lemon, Thinly Sliced
- ½ Cup Of Sugar
- 1 Quart Of Water
- 2 ½ Cups Of Whiskey
Combine lemon, sugar, and water in a pot and heat on low, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely. Add the Scotch whiskey and stir to combine. Ladle into mugs and serve warm with a lemon slice in each.
Irish Coffee
The original Red Bull and Vodka, this drink gives you the caffeine you may be looking for at the end of the night, while also supplying that calming alcohol to smooth out the edges of a day filled with family. Created in Ireland over 100 years ago, this drink truly proves how simple things can be absolutely delicious.
The Ingredients
- 1 Mug Of Hot Coffee (4 Ounces)
- 1 ½ Ounces Of Irish Whiskey
- 1 Teaspoon Of Brown Sugar
- Whipped Cream
Combine the coffee and sugar in a mug a stir to dissolve. Add whiskey and top with a dollop of whip cream.
Hot Buttered Rum
This is a classic Christmas drink that goes back to Colonial days and was even published in the pages of Life Magazine in the early ’40s, yet for some reason it often gets forgotten for the much grosser eggnog alternative. This version uses cider instead of water, which we love for its richer winter-esque flavor. If cider isn’t your thing, just use water instead.
The Ingredients
- 8 Cups Of Apple Cider
- 6 Tablespoons Of Fresh Lemon Juice
- 15 Whole Allspice Berries
- 10 Whole Cloves
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks, Broken Into Small Bits
- 5 Teaspoons Of Honey
- 4 Tablespoons Of Unsalted Butter
- 2 Cups Of Dark Rum
Boil first 6 ingredients for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add butter, stir till melted, strain into 8 warm mugs, and divide rum among them.
