Trying to get ahead of the game, I’ve got six people staying with me for a week this holiday season and I would love to make a kind of batch cocktail. I’ve made egg nog in the past and loved it, but I’ve got two avid egg nog haters and one gluten free dietary restriction. Is there anything I can make that is generally well liked but still fun? I like decorating my drinks and making them all fancy. I mostly drink whiskey based cocktails, but I also enjoy every kind of cocktail that doesn’t have gin.
Gløgg is the go-to Christmas drink in my country. Not exactly a cocktail, but I figured I’d mention it, since you talked about previously making eggnog.
I’m a big fan of hot drinks during the holidays. Hot toddies and mulled wine are both good, but my favorite is mulled apple cider with bourbon.
I use a couple cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg, thrown in a pot with about a 1/2 gallon of cider and heated without boiling for about an hour. Served in a mug with 1-2 oz of bourbon or other whiskey and garnished with apple and/or orange slices, plus half a cinnamon stick if you’re feeling fancy!
My bf makes these for his family during Christmas.
https://ournourishingtable.com/festive-cranberry-rosemary-cocktail/
It translates into a batch cocktail very well and if you’re willing to put in the effort to garnish as shown, it’s a really quite pretty glass.
Midwest holiday staple: https://midwestniceblog.com/brandy-slush-recipe-wisconsin/
It sounds weird, but I promise it’s great.
A hot toddy is a good winter drink, there are various recipes but the main thrust is whisky, honey, hot water and winter spices. Maybe some lemon and herbs.
Snowballs are popular for some reason, advocaat and sparkling lemonade. Probably no good if you don’t like nog.
The white russian is probably a good move if you want something rich but don’t like eggnog.
There are all kinds of punch suitable for winter, sloe gin (even if you don’t like gin, sloe gin is a different beast) is a good move, other hedgerow fruits, cider and or a sweet, fruity red wine.
Mulled wine is always a good move for large groups.