White Russian Cocktail with Kahlua

Creamy after dinner cocktails are my jam. They serve as a cocktail AND a dessert in my book (aka ADULT MILKSHAKES) and I’m fine with drinking my dessert as long as it’s delicious. We save these for special occasions, of course, because they are on the indulgent side.

Why This Recipe Works:

• SUPER SIMPLE – You’ll need just three simple ingredients for this delicious cocktail – plus some large ice cubes. Make the ice cubes well in advance!
• INDULGENT – The half and half makes this Kahlúa drink rich and delish. You can use cream to make it even more indulgent. Remember to sip slowly and enjoy.
• PERFECT FOR COMPANY – While we love serving rich chocolate desserts for dessert (Chocolate Buttermilk Cake or Triple Chocolate Brownies), this simple drink is perfect to serve to guests when you want to make it quick. Plus your guests will love these!

How to make White Russians:

Step 1
Prep ice cubes in advance (optional). Make some large ice cubes a day before you make these cocktails. This is an optional step but really nice. Ice cube trays are linked below.

Recipe FAQs:

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Cocktail Glasses 8 Ounce
• Sphere Ice Ball Maker

Chocolate Liqueur Cocktail

Every now and then, you need that special cocktail. The drink that impresses guests, and acts as a night cap after a nice meal. Well, this is it. THIS is the cocktail that acts like a dessert with some flair. Sweet, chocolatey, and boozy – all at once.

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE RECIPE – This chocolate martini recipe has just four simple ingredients that are easily found in liquor stores and grocery stores. The chocolate shavings are extra but worth a little extra time.
• COCKTAIL PLUS DESSERT – I love a multi-faceted recipe. This one serves as both a cocktail and dessert. Win/win!
• IMPRESSIVE FOR HOLIDAYS – We love all the special things that come with celebrating the holidays and this martini is IT. Your guests will be impressed!

Ingredients needed for Chocolate Martinis:

• Chocolate Liqueur – Use a good quality chocolate liqueur. I used the Godiva brand, and it was DELISH.
• Vodka – A good quality vodka is also recommended here. No headaches allowed!
• Creme de Cocoa – You’ll need just a touch of this for these cocktails.
• Half and Half – This is the ingredient that makes this drink super creamy. So much yum.
• Chocolate Shavings – An optional ingredient, but it makes the drink oh-so-pretty. Don’t you think?

How to make the Best Chocolate Martinis:

These take only a few minutes to prepare. Just have the chocolate shavings ready, and the alcohol handy, and you’re five minutes to sipping time.

Step 1
Prep chocolate. Use a potato peeler to peel the chocolate into shavings. Add to a small plate.

What to serve with Chocolate Martinis:

You’re going to need some delicious snacks and appetizers to go with these decadent drinks. Try one of the following!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Other Creamy Cocktails:

• Grasshopper Drink Recipe
• Espresso Martini with Baileys
• Frozen Kahlúa Cocktails

Old Fashioned Drinks

There’s nothing better than a classic Old Fashioned. Except for a Christmas Old Fashioned! These festive drinks are perfect for the holiday season and it’s fun to dress them up with an ice cube filled with cranberries and sprigs of rosemary.

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE – When we’re in the festive mood, we love a nice simple cocktail recipe like this one. Don’t you love fun Christmas cocktails?
• DELICIOUS – The cranberry flavors are what take the classic cocktail to a new level. We love this one during the Christmas season.
• IMPRESSIVE – While the classic Old Fashioned cocktails include an orange peel and Angostura bitters, these include a splash of cranberry juice and a sparkly ice cube! Perfect for a holiday party!

Ingredients Used for a Cranberry Old Fashioned:

You’ll need only a handful of ingredients for these drinks.

• Bourbon – Use a good quality bourbon or some Irish whiskey, if desired. I recommend asking what your local liquor store recommends.
• Cranberry Juice – I often use Cran-Apple Juice for this holiday drink.
• Plain Simple Syrup – You could also sub maple syrup instead of using the basic simple syrup.
• Ice Cubes – Instead of regular ice cubes, we use large ice cubes with a festive twist including fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. You could also top this perfect holiday cocktail with sugared cranberries instead.

How to make a Christmas Old Fashioned:

Step 1
Make holiday ice cubes. Make some festive ice cubes in advance. Pour water into some large square ice cubes. Add a few cranberries and a sprig of rosemary to each one. Freeze until solid – about 24 hours.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Holiday Cocktail Recipes:

We love a holiday cocktail. Try one of these next!

• Mistletoe Margaritas
• Cranberry Vodka Slush
• Apple Cider Martinis
• Cranberry Sangria Recipe

Party Snacks to pair with a Holiday Old Fashioned:

• Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
• Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
• Whipped Feta Dip with Honey
• Pretzel Dogs

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Cocktail Shaker
• Large Square Ice Cube Mold
• I purchased the glasses at William Sonoma.

The Best Mulled Cider

Growing up in the Midwest meant that fall was not only cool days and beautiful colors, but it meant apple orchards too. We spent many a free weekend day at the orchards, picking apples and eating them right off of the trees until we were practically sick to our stomachs (me especially).

Apples were fairly cheap back in the day, so Mom loaded up and got right to work making pies, sauces, jams, and everything apple. We often sipped cider at the orchards, and there really was nothing better.

So many wonderful memories of apple picking. It wasn’t until Mom and Dad were empty nesters that their own apple tree started bearing fruit.

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE TO MAKE – This delicious drink is very simple to make. Just dump everything in your slow cooker and enjoy!
• DELICIOUS AROMA – Oh the smells! This warm apple cider including cozy spices will fill your whole house with the most delicious aroma!
• FULL OF FLAVOR – I love the comforting flavors that the cloves, star anise, and cinnamon sticks provide to the cider. Nothing better than the taste of autumn!
• LARGE-BATCH – Who doesn’t love a large batch drink that the whole family will love? Just keep your favorite mugs and a soup ladle handy and everyone can serve themselves. Slow cooker apple cider is a great thing to sip while gathered around your Christmas tree!

Ingredients Used for Hot Apple Cider:

This cider is often served at our Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. It’s always a hit and I think your group would love this easy recipe too.

• Unfiltered Apple Cider – You’ll need a gallon of cider for this delicious mulled cider recipe.
• Whole Cloves
• Star Anise
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Fresh Fruit – We use fresh orange slices.
• Sweetener (OPTIONAL) – If you prefer a sweeter drink, feel free to add brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey to your cider. We normally do not add it to ours.

How to make Crock Pot Mulled Cider:

Step 1
Add cider to crock pot. Pour the apple cider into a large crock pot. Turn the heat to the low setting.

Other Apple Cider Drinks:

In addition to our crock pot apple cider, we love using fresh cider in other drinks too. These are great for holiday parties!

• Apple Cider Sangria
• Apple Cider Margarita
• Apple Cider Martinis

Storing Leftovers:

• Leftover mulled cider can be refrigerated for 3–4 days.
• You can also freeze leftover cider in ice cube trays. Add it to mocktails or cocktails for another perfect drink.

Recipe FAQs:

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• 8-Quart Crock-Pot
• Double Walled Glass Mugs

Holiday Slush

The Holidays are such a special time of year for me. SO many amazing memories of my childhood, and I’m blessed to have had an abundance of love from a great big family. Christmas time was always a sacred time of year and still is, thanks to the example of my parents.

My mom did a lot of prep for the holidays, stacking her freezer full of all the “goodies”, in her words. She made batches and batches of cookies, peanut butter balls, peanut brittle, and holiday cocktails she could store in the infamous “buckets” (aka ice cream containers).

When we gathered, we enjoyed her Frozen Vodka Slush, Frozen Grasshoppers, Frozen Kahlúa Cocktails, and this Cranberry Vodka Slush, among many other things. Her kids are still making these concoctions for their families, me included!

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE – This old fashioned recipe is straight from Norma Jean’s Kitchen and brings back all of the memories for me. The slush mixture is a combination of a handful of ingredients and can be prepped in 15 minutes or less.
• EASY  TO PREP AHEAD – Make this recipe in a large container ahead of time and serve the best cranberry cocktails to guests at your next holiday party!
• NICE HOLIDAY COCKTAIL – This large batch cocktail is perfect for the holiday season. We love it for holiday parties, New Year’s Eve, and it’s refreshing on a hot summer day too. Just pull the plastic container out of freezer and add a couple of cranberries to each serving.

How to make Christmas Cranberry Vodka Slush:

Step 1
Dissolve jello. Boil a cup of water, and add jello. Stir until completely dissolved.

How to make Sugared Cranberries:

1. Combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently.
2. Remove from heat, and add cranberries. Let this come to room temperature. You can place in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
3. Drain cranberries over a measuring cup, catching the simple syrup to add to other cocktails (if desired).
4. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Arrange cranberries on top of the wire rack and let them dry.
5. When the cranberries are dry, roll about 1/2 cup of cranberries in a bowl of sugar and then remove to a bowl. Repeat with remaining cranberries.

Other Holiday Cocktail ideas for you to enjoy:

• Mistletoe Margaritas
• Frozen Vodka Slush
• Frozen Grasshopper Drinks
• Apple Cider Margarita
• Christmas Old Fashioned

Snacks and Appetizers to pair:

Pair one or more of the following snacks with your vodka slushies!

• Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
• Spicy Chex Mix
• Honey Roasted Nuts
• Baked Goat Cheese Dip

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

Vodka Slush Cocktails

I should have called this recipe the “Reding Family Holiday Slush“. Because that’s basically what it is. For as long as I can remember, we drank vodka slush at our family gatherings, and we still do. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, graduations, and birthdays meant vodka slushes and good times. This is a “next level” special drink for our family.

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE TO PREP – If you can boil water, you can make this recipe. Such a simple recipe to prepare and it stores well too.
• LARGE BATCH – This slush feeds a crowd and I’ve made it for many gatherings. Slushy cocktails are always a great choice!
• FAMILY RECIPE – This recipe has been around for as long as I can remember. My mother made it again and again and now all of my siblings do too.
• PERFECT SUMMERTIME SLUSH – A refreshing slush is a necessary thing when we’re sweating it out here in HOT Texas. Vodka slush plus a pool party plus summer bbqs is my kind of jam!

Ingredients needed for Frozen Vodka Slush Recipe:

These simple ingredients are easy to find in your local grocery store.

• Frozen Items – You’ll need one large can of frozen orange juice concentrate and lemonade concentrate. The orange juice is what gives this drink that lovely bright yellow color!
• Sugar – You’ll need some granulated sugar to sweeten our vodka slush.
• Green Tea – Green tea adds to the taste plus it makes our slush “healthy” – LOL.
• Vodka – Use good quality vodka, as always, for best results (and easier on the body too).
• Sprite/7Up – This is optional, but a splash to serve gets the frozen cocktail to melt slightly and makes it easier to drink. You can also skip it, and just wait for the individual drinks to become slushy.

How to make this Frozen Vodka Slush Recipe:

Step 1
Prep. To make this recipe, you’ll need a large airtight container with a lid along with the recipe ingredients listed.

Recipe FAQs:

Snacks to serve with Slush Drinks:

As with all happy hours, it’s best to eat while drinking. You’ve come to the right place for that, and I’ll share a few of my favorite recipes to munch on while slushing.

• Creamy Jalapeño Queso – A spicy queso with salty chips goes perfectly with these somewhat sweet cocktails.
• Classic Taco Pizza – You can make this pizza in advance. Save some time and use store-bought crust!
• Balsamic Glazed Tomatoes and Burrata – The simplest of appetizers, and oh so yummy.
• Spicy Chex Party Mix – Watch out, cuz this snack is super tasty!

Try these summertime cocktails next!

• Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Slushies
• Tropical Tequila Sangria
• Super Simple Cranberry Margaritas
• Grapefruit Paloma
• Cherry Margaritas

Raspberry Lemonade Mocktails

As you know, we love a Friday night happy hour with a bottle of wine or a margarita or two. But some occasions require some non-alcoholic drinks (or mocktails) like kid parties, baby showers, or occasions where you have people who just don’t drink.

My goal has always been to be inclusive. Many of my recipes can easily be modified to suit a variety of health concerns or dietary restrictions.

While I’ve got several cocktails on the blog, I’ve been consciously trying to add virgin drinks for those of you that want something a little more festive than a bottle of water. I want people to feel special when I entertain them! Plus, we love the taste of fresh raspberries!

Why This Recipe Works:

• A SHORT LIST OF SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – The list is simple and that’s what I love in a non-alcoholic drink.
• PRETTY – It’s all about the look for me and adding fresh fruit is a perfect way to dress it up. Make it pretty and they will come back for more of their favorite drinks.
• TASTY – Fruit flavored and slightly sweetened, this raspberry mocktail is a refreshing drink and delicious for hot summer days. The tartness of the lime and the sweet lemonade is a perfect balance.

What you’ll need to make Raspberry Mocktails:

• Limes – We keep limes at the ready for a last-minute mocktail or cocktail.
• Raspberry Lemonade – I like to pick up small containers of various lemonades and fruit juice for special occasion drinks.
• Fresh Raspberries – The fresh raspberry garnish is pretty, and you get to eat it too! You could also use other fresh berries.
• Club Soda – Club soda adds some bubbly to the mocktails. Not required but nice.
• Simple Syrup – I found that this mocktail needed a little extra sweetener. Taste it and decide for yourselves.

How to make the best raspberry mocktails:

Step 1
Squeeze limes. Use a citrus press to squeeze limes to squeeze the limes.

Recipe FAQs:

Recipe Variations:

• Add some fresh mint leaves for a garnish.
• Start with some muddled raspberries instead of only adding them for a garnish.
• Use a couple of ounces of ginger beer or orange juice for other great flavors.
• Use mint syrup instead of regular simple syrup (by simply adding mint).

Other Virgin Drinks:

The following are some other non-alcoholic options.

• Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktails
• Blueberry Mocktails
• Strawberry Mojito Mocktails

Appetizers to pair with Mocktails:

• Ricotta Crostini
• Greek Feta Dip
• Shrimp Pesto Flatbread
• Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Citrus Press
• Glass Beverage Pitcher Carafe
• Fancy Mocktail Glasses

Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Mojito

While we love a delicious Grapefruit Mojito or Blueberry Mojito for Friday happy hour, there are tons of reasons to have a great mocktail recipe too. Many folks prefer a non-alcoholic drink and it’s nice to include everyone by preparing something fancy – like one of these mocktails.

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE – The easy drink uses simple-to-find ingredients and makes a gorgeous party mocktail.
• A REFRESHING DRINK – We love to serve these on a hot summer day when temperatures soar. The bright flavors make a really good mocktail during the summer months.
• SWEET FLAVOR – The soda adds sweetness and it’s balanced out with fresh lime juice.
• FOR ALL AGES – This classic mojito mocktail is a fun twist and makes it easy to include folks of all ages during special occasions.

What You’ll Need:

You’ll just need a handful of simple ingredients for this strawberry mocktail recipe.

• Sweet Strawberries – Use fresh strawberries for this delicious mocktail. Frozen strawberries could be used if you let them thaw out first.
• Mint Leaves – We have an extra-large patch of mint in our yard which makes it super convenient to make mojitos on a whim. Muddling the mint gives this virgin cocktail a hint of mint flavor.
• Limes – Use a citrus press to squeeze the limes needed for these mocktails.
• Sprite – We love Sprite in these but 7-Up is a great replacement for these tasty drinks.

How to make Virgin Strawberry Mojitos

Step 1
Squeeze the limes. Use a citrus press to squeeze the limes. You’ll want 3-4 ounces of lime juice or even more if you like extra tartness.

Party Snacks:

You have to have snacks to pair with virgin strawberry mojito mocktails.

• Greek Feta Dip
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
• Crunchy Shrimp Tostadas
• Sourdough Focaccia

Recipe Tips:

• You can prep these about an hour in advance and chill the pitcher in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• If you like extra tartness, feel free to add additional lime juice.
• Feel free to add extra fresh fruit for a colorful combo. A perfect drink on a hot day.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Virgin Drinks:

• Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktails
• Blueberry Mocktails
• Raspberry Mocktails

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Citrus Press
• Stainless Steel Muddler For Cocktails
• Highball Glass Tumblers
• Glass Drinking Straws

Other Sangria Recipes:

It’s hard to choose my favorite sangria recipe so I’ll just say – I love them all!

• Rose Sangria with Vodka
• Cranberry Sangria Recipe
• Sangria Margarita

Ingredients needed for Apple Cider Sangria:

I love how simple this recipe is. It literally takes minutes to make!

• Apple Cider – Use the REAL stuff, not the apple juice.
• White Wine – Any fruity tasting white wine works best. I used Pinot Grigio for this recipe.
• Orange Liqueur – There is a wide variety of types of orange liqueurs. I love using Cointreau, a higher price version, but worth it.
• Orange Juice – This adds a bright flavor to this cocktail and mixes well with the apple cider.
• Fruit – Slice an apple and an orange. Add a squeeze of lemon to the apples to keep them from browning. You can even eat the fruit after soaking up all those beautiful flavors in this cocktail.

What to serve with Apple Cider Sangria:

I recommend serving some appetizers with this sangria recipe. Here are a few of our favorites.

• Greek Feta Dip
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
• Baked Artichoke Dip
• Ricotta Crostini

I love a good margarita, especially ones I make at home, simply because they aren’t loaded with sugar and they contain good quality alcohol. If I order them at a restaurant, I prefer the skinny versions, because as you can see, I add little to no added sugars.

THESE margs are naturally sweetened with the fresh blood oranges and are delicious during orange season. Try them as is before you add sugar.

Step 4
Shake. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake, shake, shake. Pour into prepared glasses.

I often freeze orange juice into ice cubes and use them for these blood orange margaritas.

Snacks to go with these margaritas:

You gotta have snacks to go with margaritas. A MUST!

• Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball
• The BEST Chunky Guacamole
• Creamy Jalapeno Queso
• Baked Artichoke Dip

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Citrus Press
• Cocktail Shaker

What You’ll Need:

Simple ingredients for the perfect cocktail.

• Espresso – I recommend using fresh espresso from an espresso machine (linked below). For best results, avoid using instant espresso powder for these.
• Vodka – Use a regular vodka.
• Kahlua Coffee Liqueur – Another key ingredient to enhance the rich coffee flavor.
• Baileys – You can use different variations of Baileys Irish cream.

Best Homemade Eggnog

Don’t you just love the holiday season? The food, the drinks, the FUN, the fellowship? I do. I also love the memories it all brings.

My parents loved their egg nog. My mom would buy store-bought eggnog and even us kids would partake. I felt so grown up sipping from fancy glasses, and adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to the top. Mom and Dad would occasionally add a shot of rum or brandy to theirs, but it’s so good as is. A great family special-occasion drink that we can all enjoy together!

This Homemade Eggnog Recipe:

• Simple Ingredients – This easy recipe uses simple ingredients.
• Delicious – Creamy and lightly sweetened – and a truly delicious drink.
• Perfect recipe for Christmas holidays – This easy eggnog recipe is great for this special time of year. You can even make it into eggnog lattes!

How to make Creamy Homemade Eggnog:

Step 1
Prep eggs. Carefully separate the egg yolks from the whites. Store the whites in the refrigerator. Combine the sugar with the yolks in a large bowl and whisk.