Drinks for Yule

At Yule, we come together to celebrate the rebirth of the sun. People burn the Yule log, or just light candles. There may be music and dance, and there is plenty of food and drink. Today I am going to share with you some libations that will liven up your Yule festivities.

First of all, let's talk about alcoholic drinks for the adults.

Brandy Slush

This is a good Yule recipe, even though it is frozen. The cold, slushy consistency reminds of us of the snow outside, while the warming sensation from the brandy and the color remind of us of the heat of the sun.

2 c. sugar
6 c. water
1 (12 oz.) can frozen lemonade
1 (12 oz.) can frozen orange juice
2 c. Peach brandy

Dissolve sugar in water over low heat; cook until clear. Add other ingredients. Mix well. Place in freezer for 24 hours. The alcohol will keep the mixture from freezing solid, resulting in the "slush". Mix half slush and half 7-UP (diet or regular) in punch bowl and serve.

Mulled Wine Recipe from Cooking by the Seasons by Karri Ann Allrich

This is a good drink to have on hand to warm you after a outdoor ritual. It could also become part of your Yule ritual.

1 bottle red wine, Burgundy or cabernet
1 cup orange juice
1 cup apple brandy
1/2 cup sugar
1 red apple, washed
whole cloves
1 orange, washed, sliced into rounds
4 cinnamon sticks

Gently combine wine, orange juice, brandy, and sugar in a large sauce pan and heat over low-medium heat. Stuf the washed apple with cloves and float it in the mulled wine mixture, along with orange slices and cinnamon sticks. Keep at a low simmer for 15 minutes. Serve from a warm slow cooker or crock, if you have one, or heatproof serving bowl. Let the merrymaking begin!

If you're into egg nog (and I personally am not), I have included the link to a website that lists many recipes for this traditional holiday beverage. Don't forget the rum or bourbon!

http://www.eggnogrecipe.net/


Now, not everyone imbibes, due to age restrictions, health, personal belief, or an addiction to alcohol, so not every holiday beverage needs to include spirits. In lieu of mulled wine, you could serve mulled cider. It is just as delicious, and cheaper to prepare.

The following recipe comes from the same book by Ms. Allrich. It is one of my favorite cookbooks. Check it out through my Amazon store.

Mulled Cider

1 quart fresh apple cider
juice of 1 orange
1 orange, washed and sliced into rounds
1 apple, washed, sliced horizontally to reveal the center star
whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks

Pour the cider into a soup pot or slow cooker and squeeze in the orange juice. Add the orange slices. Stuf each round apple slice with 5 whole cloves. Gently add them to the cider and toss in the cinnamon sticks. Heat the cider on low heat for at least 15 minutes before serving.


Whatever you choose to serve your guests, your Yule ritual and feast will surely be merry.