Our bellies are still full of Thanksgiving turkey, which means the holiday season has officially begun! It’s time to put away the turkey sandwiches and bring out the tinsel and mistletoe. Whether you live in sunny California or are already knee-deep in the snow in Michigan, everyone enjoys a winter warmer at this time of year.

We asked our team in Huntington Beach to share their favorite holiday season hot drink recipes.

Mike Bove, VP sales

Hot toddy

1 ½ parts whisky

1/3 parts honey syrup

3 parts hot water

3 dried cloves

Freshly squeezed lemon juice

This festive classic is enjoyed best as a nightcap. It’s guaranteed to warm you up when it’s cold outside. The classic recipe combines whisky, honey syrup, hot water and cloves. Lemon juice is often added and the cloves removed before serving. This is a favourite of our VP of sales, Mike, who enjoys a hot toddy after a busy day in the office.

 

Tony Taylor, sales manager

Eggnog

3 cups whole milk

1 cup double cream

4 eggs, separated

2/3 cup granulated

3/4 cup Bacardi Rum, or bourbon

A firm favourite of Tony’s, eggnog is another boozy holiday favourite. His go-to recipe combines milk, cream, cinnamon and nutmeg in a saucepan. Once that’s simmering, Tony beats four eggs in a separate bowl and whisks them into the milk. You can add either bourbon or rum to your drink to give it an extra little kick; Tony swears by bourbon.

 

Abigail Macleod, general manager

Mulled cider

Traditional cider

6 cloves

1/4 nutmeg

1 orange

1 pomegranate

4-5 tablespoons caster sugar

Ever-present at winter markets across Europe and the UK, mulled cider is Abigail’s festive choice. We think it’s because the combination of warm cider, spices, orange juice and sugar reminds her of her hometown in Scotland and Edinburgh’s famous Christmas market. Easy to make, cider is poured into a large pan on a low heat for a couple of minutes and then spices and juices are added. Whatever the reason, mulled cider is Abi’s ultimate holiday season comfort drink – and we couldn’t agree more.

 

Joanna Snelson, sales manager

Hot white chocolate Russian

1 part Kahlúa

1 part whole milk

1/2 part vodka

Whipped cream & marshmallows for topping

White chocolate powder

If ‘The Dude’ from The Big Lebowski was to pick a hot favourite hot drink we’re sure he’d choose something like this. Selected by Joanna, this hot drink has all the elements of a traditional White Russian. With Kahlúa, vodka, white chocolate powder and whole milk, the hot white chocolate Russian is a delicious warm treat worthy of the holiday season. Heated together in a saucepan and topped with whipped cream, it proves to be a deliciously, simple winter warmer.