‘Tis the season for good cheer—and that requires a great beverage for saying ‘cheers!’ with friends and family. Everyone has their own holiday traditions that involve special food and drink recipes, including Global Real Estate Advisor for Sotheby’s International Realty, Donna Burns, who has a fondness for hot apple cider. Burns, who is a luxury specialist and has bought and sold real estate on the Alabama and Florida coasts for 20 years, shares how something as simple as a warm beverage has the power to bring people together.
“My favorite memory of this drink recipe is when we first made it for a neighborhood holiday party,” she says. “We invited all our neighbors to our home (many of which had never met each other) and we served everyone a cup of this good cheer as soon as they entered.”
Hot apple cider is the perfect low-maintenance beverage to serve while hosting this holiday season: simply heat cider in a pot on the stovetop or in a crockpot, and add a dash of any desired festive flavor, such as maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peels, or ginger.
To kick it up a notch, add a splash of spiced rum, whiskey, or bourbon afterward. “If you do add bourbon, pour the bourbon in the serving cup, then add the hot cider,” suggests Burns. This way, guests have a choice on how they’d like to enjoy the drink, and you avoid having the bourbon burn off in the heating process.
Other simple tricks to bartend like a pro:
- Choose the right ingredients—opt for fresh ingredients over store-bought mixes to boost your beverage’s flavor.
- Consider the vessel—from ornate tumblers to elegant champagne flutes, a beautiful glass designed specifically for the type of drink you’re serving adds sophistication.
- Customize your cocktail— cedar-soaked bourbon or a rosemary-infused gin add depth to drinks. Try making it yourself and giving them as personalized gifts.
Once the signature drink menu is set, consider the following tips for that perfect sip
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