Fabulously Festive Holiday Drinks
The holiday season is officially upon us, which means there are plenty of events for you to attend the next couple of weeks. Deciding what you want to contribute to your friend’s potluck or your family’s annual dinner can be difficult with so many options to choose from. Volunteers may offer their famous potatoes or award-winning desserts, but a way you can impress your fellow guests is by providing a deliciously festive and refreshing beverage for everyone to enjoy. At Kuhn’s Market we have a myriad of fresh ingredients to utilize for your gatherings and with several locations around the Pittsburgh area, we are here to provide you with a quick, easy and delightful shopping experience this holiday season.It can be challenging to know where to start when providing a beverage for your holiday gathering. There are many decisions to navigate when figuring out what guests may enjoy, such as understanding different flavor preferences and learning if visitors wish to drink alcohol or simply enjoy a mocktail. To help, we’ve selected a few delicious recipes to ensure that every member around the dinner table will have something flavorful to sip on with their meal.
Since we are still enjoying the tastes and smells of fall, let’s start with a drink that can be enjoyed during the month of November. Making apple cider on the stove top will not only be delicious for everyone to enjoy, but will also fill your home with the delightful autumnal aroma of cinnamon, spices, and apples. This easy recipe requires some store-bought apple cider from your local Kuhn’s Market, cinnamon sticks, all spice, clove, lemon, orange and maple syrup. On a stovetop, add your spices with the peels of both citruses. Pour in your desired amount of apple cider, depending on your number of guests, and a splash or two of your favorite maple syrup. Bring this liquid to a boil and then allow the cider to simmer for about 30 minutes before serving. Garnish the beverage with a fresh or dehydrated apple and a cinnamon stick. You may add a spiced rum or whiskey of your choice to create an inviting cocktail or enjoy the cider as is. Choosing a recipe that allows a drink to be both alcoholic or alcohol free provides guests an option to decide which they would like to enjoy, eliminating the need to create multiple different choices.
Kuhn’s Tip: Browsing social media and searching keywords such as “holiday inspired cocktails” or “festive drinks” can allow you to get some fresh ideas for your next gathering. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest have a plethora of creators who can share their creations for all to enjoy.
If you feel like the holidays have snuck up on you out or nowhere and you don’t have time to prepare a multi-step cocktail for your gathering, try this time saving idea that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Add your own festive spin on the traditional mimosa by creating a cranberry ginger mimosa, perfect as we enter the month of December. Grab a few bottles of bubbly from our McKnight or Banksville location, as well as some cranberry juice and ginger beer. In a champagne flute, pour equal parts cranberry juice and ginger beer and top the rest of your glass off with some prosecco or champagne. This drink can easily be transitioned into an alcohol-free refreshment by substituting club soda or a soda of your choice for the champagne. Garnish with a fresh cranberry and fill your guests with joy as they enjoy your quick and delicious creation.
Kuhn’s Tip: If you want to go the extra step to make your beverages special, try dehydrating fruit at home for a unique garnish. This additional step will add a sense of creativity to your beverage and will be sure to impress your guests.
For an after-dinner sweet treat, be sure to pick up your favorite brand of hot cocoa to share with your loved ones around the fireplace this holiday season. Kuhn’s Market has all of your favorites to ensure that your celebrations are nothing short of memorable. Don’t forget to purchase those candy canes to elevate your already delicious hot chocolate with that festive flavor.
We at Kuhn’s Market hope that your holiday season and celebrations are filled with enjoyment, loved ones and incredible memories. Our eight wonderful locations are available to provide you with the freshest of ingredients to create a magical gathering for your pleasure. Keep an eye out for our annual cookie walk this year with more information to come on our social media pages. Be sure to share your delicious recipes this holiday season with us on social media by tagging Kuhn’s Market or by using the hashtag #KuhnsCookingHour.