Inspire the Filipino Christmas Spirit with These 5 Drinks

What alcoholic beverages or cocktails inspire the Filipino Christmas spirit?

1. Fruit Salad cocktail
2. Halo-halo cocktail
3. Sangria
4. Filipino-style Eggnogs
5. Beer

  Christmas is fast approaching, and you know what that means: food, celebrations, presents, and more food. One way to make the festive season that much more delightful is by enjoying some Christmas drinks to pair the delicious meals you will surely be eating. Aside from that, alcoholic beverages must be present in one form or another to fully inspire the Filipino Christmas spirit.

  To help you have the merriest time this holiday season, here are 5 drinks you can serve that will surely hit the spot.

Fruit Salad Cocktail

  To kick things off, a fruit salad cocktail is one of the best drinks you can serve during Christmas. Since fruit salads are a staple in any Filipino celebration, you would do well to create a cocktail drink for your friends and family that is reminiscent of their traditions.

Here’s what you’ll need (one serving):

• 5 fluid ounces of your preferred vodka
• 4 fluid ounces of pineapple juice
• 1 fluid ounce of orange juice
• 1 fluid ounce of cranberry juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 fluid ounce of carbonated water

Directions:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes
2. Add all of the juice components and the carbonated water.
3. Stir well, serve, and enjoy!

Garnish it with a lemon wedge before serving for added effect. However, if you want to give it an extra Filipino twist, add 2 teaspoons of calamansi juice instead of the lemon juice.

Halo-halo cocktail

  Going with the theme of Filipino food favorites turned into cocktails, the halo-halo cocktail is another great drink to try. Sweet, refreshing, and can give you a buzz — this might not be your usual cocktail, but give it a chance. You’re also going to need a blender for this one.

Here’s what you’ll need (one serving):

• 1 cup of shaved ice
• 1 cup of ube halaya or jam (boiled and mashed purple yam)
• 1 cup of jackfruit
• 2 tablespoons of sweetened red beans
• ½ cup of condensed milk
• A dash of lambanog (coconut wine)

Directions:

1. Blend the shaved ice, ube, jackfruit, sweetened red beans, and condensed milk until smooth.
2. Add a dash of lambanog then blend some more to mix the alcohol.
3. Pour into a tall glass, serve, and enjoy.

  You may have noticed that the coconut wine has no specific measurement. This is because you can add as much or as little as you like to meet your desired alcohol kick. Drink it after meals for maximum efficiency because it can serve as your dessert and your Christmas party kick-starter.

Sangria

  In terms of a celebratory drink, sangria is one of the go-to’s for tita’s and tito’s around the world. It’s sweet, fruity, and smooth. On top of that, it’s red color fits in nicely with the Christmas colors and can supplement your home’s decor. While this drink has European origins, because of our Spanish-influenced history, sangria satisfies the Filipino palate nicely.

Here’s what you’ll need (four servings):

• ½ medium-sized apple (cored and chopped into small pieces with the skin-on)
• ½ medium-sized orange (rind on, sliced into small pieces with large seeds removed)
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• ¾ cup of orange juice
• ⅓ cup of brandy
• 750 ml of Spanish wine (preferably fruity and somewhat dry)
• 1 cup of ice

Directions:

1. Add apples, oranges, and sugar to a large pitcher and stir well for a few seconds.
2. Add the brandy and orange juice and stir.
3. Add the red wine and stir some more until all components are incorporated nicely.
4. Taste and make sure to adjust the flavor to your liking.
5. Add the ice, stir it one last time, and serve when chilled.

  When it comes to adjusting flavor, add more orange juice if you want it to be fruitier. Add more brown sugar if you want subtler sweetness. If you want a stronger buzz, add some more brandy.

  With some good sangria, your Christmas party will surely be a hit.

Filipino-style Eggnogs

  You may have heard of the rich, sweet holiday drink known as the eggnog. But since the theme is drinks that inspire the Filipino Christmas spirit, why not make some Filipino-style eggnogs? This means taking the traditional eggnog recipe and incorporating Filipino-brand alcohol.

  It’s quick and easy to make and can be enjoyed by both adults and kids. Just make sure not to add any of the alcoholic components if you’re making it for kids.

Here’s what you’ll need (one serving):

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup of milk
• ½ cup of sugar, preferably white but brown sugar is also acceptable
• ¾ cup of light brandy
• ⅓ cup of gold rum
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, cinnamon, or both

Directions:

1. Crack the eggs and separate the egg whites from the yolk.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolk with the sugar until the latter dissolves.
3. Gradually add the alcoholic components to the mix while whisking.
4. Add the milk and vanilla extract then whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are incorporated.
5. Pour in a glass and sprinkle some nutmeg or cinnamon on top.
6. Refrigerate. Serve when chilled.

  If you want to make warm eggnogs, you can boil the milk and spices before adding them into the sugar and egg yolk mix. Once combined, cook the eggnog in a pot or saucepan until it becomes thick. Set aside to cool, then serve in a mug for the children or add some alcohol before serving to the adults.

Beer

  If all else fails and/or mixing a drink is simply not your thing, nothing can beat a cold bottle of beer. Not only is beer-drinking a staple of Filipino food culture, but it is also best consumed after a hearty meal. Given that Christmas is the season of feasts and crazy amounts of eating, what better way for you to cap it off with a bottle of your favorite beer. While you’re free to choose your preferred brand of beer, you can make it truly Filipino by buying local brands as well.

Key Takeaway

  Christmas drinks are a great way to bring out the holiday spirit wherever you are in the world. If you want to try something new, then go for some of the Filipino-inspired drinks listed above for a wonderful time.

  Click here to see Alcoline’s selection of alcoholic beverages that can help you make the most of the drinks mentioned above. As always, please drink responsibly.