Yuletide Cooler Recipes

CANDY CANE COOLER

Steps:

• Place crushed candy cane bits into pint glass. Muddle the candy cane slightly, breaking up the bigger pieces. Do not over-muddle into a powder. Add vodka, brandy and half-and-half and stir. Pour into a shaker with ice. Shake lightly to chill and strain into old-fashioned glass full of ice. Add a peppermint stick and stir. Garnish with a mint sprig.
• Thoroughly wash mint leaves and place in a decanter or jar. Empty vodka into container and muddle slightly to release the essential oils. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 3 days - longer if you want a stronger taste.

COWGIRL COOLER

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring sliced ginger and water to a boil. Remove from heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and reserve liquid.
• In a large pitcher, stir to combine the lemonade concentrate, ginger water, ginger ale, and vodka. Serve over ice with a slice of lemon.

HOMEMADE WINE COOLERS

Steps:

• Pour wine into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid.
• When cubes are frozen, plop 1 or 2 into a glass of ginger ale. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes so the cubes melt a little; stir.

CRANBERRY-TANGERINE CHRISTMAS COOLER

Steps:

• Combine cranberry juice and tangerine juice in large pitcher. Add lime juice and stir to blend. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Cut thin slice off tops and bottoms of tangerines. Cut each horizontally into three 1/4- to 1/3-inch-thick rounds. Divide cooler among 6 tall glasses. Garnish with tangerine rounds and serve.

MOJITO COOLER

Steps:

• Put the lime juice in a large jug and top up with water until you have 200ml liquid. Add the zest and mint, then stir in the sugar, cinnamon and vanilla paste. Cover and leave to infuse in the fridge for at least 1 hr or overnight. Stir well to make sure the sugar has dissolved, then strain into a clean 1.5-litre jug and stir in the vinegar and rum. Chill until ready to use, or for up to 12 hrs.
• To make the cocktail, stir in the mint leaves, lime pieces and a generous handful of ice.
• Top up with 600ml sparkling water and pour into tall glasses with more ice, adding a little more sparkling water, if you like. Garnish with mint sprigs to serve.

CRANBERRY COOLER

Steps:

• In a pitcher, combine the juices, sugar and extract. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale.

DIY WINE COOLERS

Steps:

• In pitcher, mix all ingredients. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

YULETIDE COOLER

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker one-third full with cracked ice. Pour the Dubonnet, pear brandy, and lime juice over the ice. Shake the mixture vigorously and pour it with the ice into a chilled highball glass. Fill the glass with soda water and stir lightly to blend.
• Garnish with the lime slice.