Jackson Free Press

Rocking around the Christmas tree is twice as fun when you have a holiday drink in hand. Whether you are serving these up at a swanky holiday party or sipping slowly to get through family time, these recipes are sure to meet your needs.

Hot Chocolate with Irish creme

1 cup milk or soy milk
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Bailey's or other Irish Creme, to taste

In a small pot, warm milk and cocoa over medium-low heat, stirring to dissolve all the cocoa lumps but careful not to burn. Once warm, ladle into mugs and add Irish Creme to taste; one shot should be enough.

Peppermint Martini

2 ounces vodka
2 ounces peppermint schnapps
Ice

Pour ingredients into a shaker full of ice. Shake it like you mean it. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a small candy cane.

Vegan Egg Nog

Disclaimer for those of you who wonder why you would change a perfectly good drink and think that drinking raw eggs is awesome: Don't knock it 'til you try it.

1 liter vanilla soy milk
4 teaspoons maple syrup
1/4 cup brandy or bourbon
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher, stir well, chill and serve.

Mexican Cocoa
by Michele Baker

I'm always anxious for cold, cocoa weather. This is my version of traditional hot chocolate.

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
a dash of cayenne pepper (to taste)
3 cups powdered milk

Mix all ingredients and store in a tightly covered container. Combine cup cocoa mix with 8 ounces of hot water and top with mini marshmallows for a warming cold-weather drink. Fill and label a wide-mouth canning jar with mix and mini marshmallows and wrap with a bow for a great gift.