Mixing Up a Memorable Holiday

Looking for last-minute entertainment ideas for New Year's Eve? The choices are myriad.

There’s tried-and-true items - mulled wine, eggnog, champagne cocktails - but from rum to whiskey, and across a range of liqueurs and cordials, there are rafts of ideas for adding a little splash to the holidays and for ringing in the new year in Lindenhurst.

There are recipes galore for eggnogs, of course - or residents could purchase a bottle of traditional Old New England or Pennsylvania Dutch-style egg, already made.

Mulled wine? That just means an inexpensive red, spiced with something like cinnamon, cloves or cardamom, and heated up. Residents could make it, or simply try it from a bottle, like the Gluhwein at . According to Susan, the manager there, it's got a slightly woody apple scent.

When it comes to liqueurs, perennial favorites include Frangelico, DiSaronno Amaretto, and Bailey’s Irish Cream, said Elaine, at .

And Castries Peanut rum cream, made from St. Lucian rum with various spices, including vanilla from Madagascar, is ready-made and in the bottle.

Another tasty number is Choco Vine, a French cabernet combined with Dutch chocolate. It‘s the main ingredient in a "Rockstar," made with Coconut Cream, Tequila Cream liqueur and Rum - garnished with grated cinnamon and chocolate spiral.

Or why not try a little Barenjager, a German liqueur with a honey accent, advised Susan at The Village Lanterne.

When it comes to liquors, there’s plenty of adventure in a good bottle of rum - and Great Neck Wine and Liquors (aka Krabel) on Great Neck Road in nearby Copiague, has a wide assortment.

Flavored rums like coffee, banana, coconut, mango and watermelon come to mind. Spiced rums such as Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Admiral Nelson, Myers, Mount Gay, Ron Rico also jump to mind. There are also exotic lines from Colombia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries - including the regal-looking Diplomatico from Venezuela.

There are numerous ways to mix up a dream with rum. Try a Planter’s Punch (combining a couple of rums with Grand Marnier, orange and pineapple juice, lime juice, bitters and grenadine). Or a rum-based Mojito (spiced rum muddled with mint leaves, lime juice, sugar and soda water).

Looking for a "holiday-specific" mixed drink? These few recipes, courtesy of Craig, at , might just do the trick - the Gingerbread Martini and the tasty Candy Cane Cooler.

Gingerbread Martini
Martini glass
1 ounce ginger liqueur (i.e., Domain de Canton)
1/2 ounce Vanilla Vodka (Stoli Vanil)
1/2 ounce Irish liqueur (Bailey’s)
Splash of coffee liqueur (Kahlua)
1/2 ounce cream
1 teaspoon honey
Lime wedge
Graham cracker
Gingerbread cookie
Rub the lime wedge around the rim of the martini glass.
Dip the glass edge into finely crumbled graham cracker to coat the rim of the glass.
Mix all liquid ingredients over ice and shake thoroughly.
Pour into a martini glass.
Float the gingerbread cookie in the martini.

Candy Cane Cooler
1 ounce Vodka
1/2 ounce Peppermint Schnapps
2.5 ounces milk
Mint leaves
Candy cane
Muddle a few mint leaves in a glass with a splash of vodka.
Fill the glass with ice.
Add the rest of the vodka with the other liquid ingredients.
Shake well, and garnish with a candy cane and a mint leaf.

Craig also dug down deep into his repertoire, and came up with this holiday special - the Christmas Tree.

Christmas Tree
Shot glass
1/3 ounce Grenadine
1/3 ounce Galliano
1/3 ounce Midori (melon liqueur)
Pour the Grenadine into the shot glass.
Drip the Galliano on top using the back of a spoon, being very careful to float it on top and not mix it together.
Layer the Midori on top in the same fashion.
This will create a layered ribbon of red, yellow and green.

Finally, there’s that special Champagne moment, midnight on New Year’s Eve. A bottle of good bubbly is always a good choice. A word with the proprietor of a local wine and liquor store is a good idea. There are champagne alternatives, too - Prosecco, for example, is lighter on the palate.

Or why not try a Champagne cocktail? Basically, that means mixing a little sugar and angostura bitters in champagne, perhaps with a fruit juice. But adding a splash [1/2 ounce or more] of some flavoring, like a black currant liqueur or triple sec and a little cranberry juice, or even melon-flavored Midori, could give New Year‘s Eve that little bit extra that will make it memorable this year.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out Lindenhurst Patch's directory for more local shops, and click and for even more information about the Village's BID Bux coupon.

Be sure to also check the for opportunities to give back, and the column - along with the weekly roundup - for a look at celebrating the holidays in Lindenhurst, plus a look at other pertinent information residents need to know this season.

In addition, if you're having or know of an event or fundraiser this holiday season, then please e-mail barbara.loehr@patch.com and/or post it in events on Lindenhurst Patch.