Everyone’s heard the classic, albeit slightly terrifying holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The Charles Dickens classic features a grouchy old man named Ebenezer Scrooge who has lost his Christmas spirit. Scrooge is confronted by three ghostly visitors, who remind him of the joy that the holiday can hold: The Ghost of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come.
The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to the days of his childhood — something Spoon can do with a twist on an old-time favorite — hot chocolate. The addition of coffee liqueur and peppermint vodka revamps the Christmas Past Spiked Peppermint Mocha for your adult self to enjoy.
Scrooge is next visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows him the realities and consequences of his current actions. This Christmas Present Peppermint White Russian is slightly less sweet than the Christmas Past cocktail, but uses similar ingredients, reminding us that it’s okay to still think of our past, as long as we grow a little (a stretch? Maybe. But it’s delicious so that’s okay).
Finally, Scrooge is catapulted into a horrifying future, and is ultimately forced to face his grave… No thanks. Your future seems infinitely brighter drinking a Cranberry Christmas Yet to Come cocktail. It’s bubbly, fun and best of all, doesn’t include the shadow of death.
If you have a Scrooge in your life this holiday season, or if you’re just looking to enjoy some delicious spiked wintry drinks, make these three festive Christmas “Spirits” (and we promise — there are no ghosts involved).
Spiked Peppermint Mocha
Ingredients
Instructions
Fill a bowl 1/2 inch deep with water, and spread sprinkles onto a plate. Dip rim of serving glass first into the water, then into the sprinkles so they stick.
Heat the water for 2 minutes in the microwave. Add hot chocolate mix and stir (or if you wanna get fancy,make it from scratch).
Pour coffee liqueur and vodka into the prepared, rimmed glass.
Pour in hot chocolate and stir.
Top with whipped cream and decorate with sprinkles and a candy cane.
#SpoonTip: The candy cane acts as a sweet stirring-stick.
Peppermint White Russian
Ingredients
Instructions
Place unwrapped candy cane in a sealable plastic sandwich bag. Crush with a rolling pin or any tool with a flat end, until the candy cane has reached a fine texture.
Pour coffee liqueur and vodka into your prepared serving glass.
Fill glass to the brim with ice and top off with milk.
#SpoonTip: Can’t do dairy? Try one of these delicious milk substitutes instead.
Finish with a candy-cane (can also act as a stirring stick.)
Cranberry Cocktail
Ingredients
Instructions
Juice half a lemon into a mixing glass.
Add gin to the lemon juice.
Pour lemon and gin mixture into a glass with ice.
Fill glass 2/3 of the way with cranberry juice.
Top off with lemon-lime soda.
Drop in dried cranberries.
Serve chilled — enjoy sipping on a bright and bubbly representation of your future.