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Holiday Spiced Port Hot Toddy

December 10, 2019 by elana 2 Comments

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comThis post was made in partnership with Croft Port. Recipe and ideas are my own.

For the first time in forever SoCal actually feels cold for the holidays and I am HERE FOR IT! I’m dressing in layers, I turned the fireplace on (although, if you’ve been reading on here long enough you should know I do that when it dips below 70…), I broke out a winter coat I got on sale a few years ago and haven’t worn yet, and I’m drinking all the hot cocktails right now so that my hands stay warm. It’s heavenly.

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comOnce Thanksgiving comes to an end and I’ve eaten all my leftovers, my brain switches instantly into holiday mode. I want all the gingerbread cookies. I want to string up lights on every surface of my house (don’t worry, I don’t actually do that because that would probably be a fire hazard, but I do think about it a lot). And it’s baking spices in everything, including my drinks. While I can make a cocktail any way I want at all times throughout the year, in December I just want it to feel extra holiday-like. And so that brings us to today’s cocktail.

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comI’ve teamed up with Croft Port to show you all how to enjoy port in a hot cocktail, and more importantly, how to make it extra for the holidays. Extra holiday. Croft Reserve Ruby Port has some built-in holiday spices already in its flavor profile: clove, cinnamon, burnt caramel, cardamom, and a warm chocolate nuttiness. While delicious on its own, today’s hot cocktail will bring out those spices further with the addition of chai tea. While chai teas vary widely in spices, the tea I’m using goes heavy on the cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. A generous dose of freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a sharpness to the cocktail, cutting through some of the sweetness of the port, and the sweetness provided by my extra special ingredient, banana liqueur. That brûléed fruit flavor here is a welcome, unexpected addition to the drink, providing a deep, brown sugary sweetness that, again, makes me think of Christmas cookies.

When Croft Reserve Ruby Porto is warmed up, it also brings out the luscious berry notes and gives a rich, hearty mouthfeel which you want since you’re watering down the viscosity with the chai tea.

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comSo bring on those cold nights, I’ll be ready for them with some hot port cocktails. And so will you!

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comCroft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comHoliday Spiced Port Hot Toddy

1 chai tea bag
3 ounces boiling water
1-1/2 ounces Croft Reserve Ruby Port
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 ounce banana liqueur

In a heat proof mug or glass, combine the tea bag and boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes. Strain out the tea bag and pour in the Croft Reserve Ruby Port, lemon juice, and banana liqueur. Gently stir to combine. Garnish with cinnamon sticks or dehydrated orange slices.

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.com

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: banana liqueur, Croft Port, hot cocktails, hot drinks, lemon juice, port

Previous Post: « Monday Booze News It's the big 'ol list of holiday beverages edition!
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  1. Holiday Spiced Port Hot Toddy – News Headline Break says:
    December 13, 2019 at 12:55 pm

    […] This post was made in partnership with Croft Port. Recipe and ideas are my own. For the first time in forever SoCal actually feels cold for the holidays and I am HERE FOR IT! I’m dressing in layers, I turned the fireplace on (although, if you’ve been reading… contine reading… […]

    Reply
  2. Après Ski Ideas from Fonseca Port and TrailKeg | The Brave Ski Mom says:
    March 10, 2020 at 7:00 am

    […] Spiced Port Hot Toddy […]

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