7 Daring Party Drinks to Try This Winter

Published on: 24 December 2018 Last Updated on: 08 August 2019

Are you looking to throw an amazing party this holiday season, with even better cocktails?

This time of year may be full of fun and cheer, but it can also be full of the same old drinks.

Spicing up your holiday party or office party can be as easy as including some more festive drinks to the menu.

It can also help put people in the holiday mood with warm spices, and festive looks, leaving them raving about the unique drinks options.

Read on to learn some wonderful winter party drinks that you can use to mix up your festivities in the best way.

The Best Party Drinks for the Holiday Season:

It can be tempting to take the easy way out and only choose the typical holiday drink lineup.

However, once you see these decadent options, you won’t want anything else at your party.

Here are seven prime recipes for cocktails at holiday parties that are sure to win over some grinches.

1. Ginger and Berry Champagne:

A classy drink for a classy party, this fruity yet spicy beverage is the perfect party drink idea.

Ingredients

1.5 oz. berry-infused cognac
1 oz. alcoholic raspberry ginger beer
1 oz. champagne
3 dashes of Black and Blue Bitters
2-4 fresh berries for garnish

Instructions

Add all of these ingredients into a champagne flute and gently stir. Then, follow with a few fresh berries to garnish.

For the berry-infused cognac, simply add one pint of fresh berries to jar with two cups of cognac. Allow this to infuse for at least one week before enjoying.

2. Chocolate Peppermint Mimosas:

Any chocoholics out there? The winter season is the perfect excuse for chocolate-peppermint heaven – in the form of a drink, of course.

Ingredients

1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips
9 candy canes
6 oz. peppermint schnapps
1 bottle champagne

Instructions

Begin this party drink recipe by melting the semisweet chocolate chips in a double boiler, or in the microwave.

Then, crush three of the candy cases, while leaving the remaining six whole. Pour both the melted chocolate and crushed candy canes onto separate plates.

Dip each champagne flute into the melted chocolate and then the crushed candy cane. Add in 1 ounce of peppermint schnapps to each glass, followed by champagne. Garnish with a whole candy cane in each flute.

3. The Winter Old-Fashioned:

Ingredients

2 oz bourbon
.5 oz spiced simple syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
2 dashes aromatic bitters
Cinnamon stick

Instructions

Start off by spicing the simple syrup in a small saucepan. Simmer the syrup in a 1:1 ratio with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, and cardamom.

Stir all the ingredients together with ice, then strain. Garnish with a fresh orange peel and a whole cinnamon stick.

4. The Ultimate Mistletoe Margaritas:

This red and festive margarita is an ideal frosty beverage for those nights that you’re craving something icy, sweet, and seasonal.

Ingredients

1/2 c. whole cranberries
1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 tbsp. salt
3/4 c. lime juice
1 wedge lime, for rim
2 c. cranberry juice
12 oz. tequila
8 oz. triple sec
6 c. ice
Mint, for garnish

Instructions

Begin by mixing the fresh, whole cranberries with one-fourth of a cup of lime juice in a medium-sized bowl. Then, drain the lime juice and add in two tablespoons of granulated sugar.

With the remaining sugar and salt, mix them on a small plate. Wet the margarita glass with the lime wedge and dip generously into the plate of salt and sugar.

Blend the remaining ingredients of tequila, cranberry juice, triple sec, lime juice, and ice on high-speed until smooth.

Pour the mixture into the glass, garnish with a sprig of mint and cranberries, and enjoy this pink festive drink with good company at a small party venue.

5. Spiked Hot Cocoa with Rumchata:

This spiked hot chocolate is best enjoyed next to a toasty fire and a friend. A cocktail that’s guaranteed to make you feel warm and comforted.

Ingredients

2 c. milk
1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
6 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate
1/2 c. Rumchata
1/3 c. warm caramel
Whipped cream
Cinnamon sugar
Cinnamon stick

Instructions

In a small saucepan, begin simmering the milk. Slowly whisk in the sugar, vanilla, and cocoa powder until no lumps remain.

Stir in the bittersweet chocolate until fully melted, then add the Rumchata and remove from heat.

In a small dish, pour the warm caramel. Line each cup with the caramel by dipping it onto the dish.

Carefully pour the alcoholic hot chocolate into the glasses or mugs, and top with whipped cream, cinnamon sugar, and a whole cinnamon stick for a spicy and sweet warm cocktail.

6. Classic Mulled Wine:

Mulled wine is holiday time classic that is far from boring. Traditionally brewed at many of the Christmas Markets of Europe, this is a treat you won’t soon forget!

Instructions

2 oranges, peeled & juiced
3/4 cup sugar
3 white cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
2-star anise
2 bottles of Malbec

Instructions

Begin by simmering half of a bottle of the Malbec on the stovetop all of the spices, sugar and orange juice.

Once the sugar has fully dissolved, strain the mixture and then in a large saucepan, combine it with the remainder of the wine. Be very careful not to boil the mixture as this can make it lose alcohol.

Serve in heat-proof cups and garnish each with a fresh orange peel and a cinnamon stick.

7. Cinnamon Whiskey Sour with Cranberry:

This simple combination is sure to wow a crowd, with its pretty pink hue and classy taste only a whiskey sour can bring.

Ingredients

2 c. fresh cranberries
2 c. filtered water
2 c. granulated sugar
2 whole cinnamon sticks
3/4 c. simple syrup
3/4 c. whiskey
1/2 c. lemon juice
1/4 c. orange juice
1/4 c. lime juice
1 c. ice

Instructions

Begin this recipe in a large saucepan by bringing the cranberries, filtered water, granulated sugar, and cinnamon sticks to a slow boil on medium heat. Then, reduce the heat, and cook until the cranberries are soft.

Remove from heat and carefully strain the mixture with a fine mesh into a large bowl. Allow it to cool for at least ten minutes before moving to the next step.

For the cocktail, simply add the remaining ingredients of simple syrup, whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, lime juice, and a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker, and mix for about a minute.

Rock the Winter Drinks this Season:

These recipes should help you baffle the guests at every holiday party and beyond, and you’ll want to keep on making them each after the holidays are long gone.

Using a few signature recipes each and every year is key to hosting the perfect get together, no matter how big or small.

The most important part of any great cocktail, however, is who you decide to drink it with. So, enjoy all the time with loved ones this year, and every year.

Now that you have the perfect party drinks in your arsenal, check out these six delicious cakes to try this winter.

Read Also:

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Why It’s So Hard To Quit Drugs Cold Turkey?

The endurings of life in modern society have made it common for people to develop addictions to drugs and alcohol. It all starts with one drink, one puff, or one sniff to get over a bad mood or event. Before you know it, several months down the line, you’ve lost everything. Fortunately, some people get to a point where they feel they’ve simply had enough of drug or alcohol abuse. Now, they are ready to make the changes to get over the addiction. However, some people choose to cold turkey. But, there are several side effects of going cold turkey on drugs. In this article, we look into the cold turkey approach of quitting, what it means, why it’s so hard, and the risks it poses to the addict. If you want to find a rehab center to help you quit using drugs, you can learn more here. Quit Cold Turkey To Get Over Addiction Some people choose to go cold turkey. They feel that it’s easier to stop using their substance of choice rather than to get off it gradually. While ambition and dedication to recovery are powerful on their own, they are simply not enough to overcome withdrawal symptoms. Quitting substance abuse cold turkey is very difficult and can impose significant risks. It becomes extremely difficult when your body develops a certain level of dependence on the drug; it’s difficult to quit. What Does It Mean To Quit Cold Turkey? The term ‘cold turkey’ comes from one of the withdrawal symptoms of quitting substance use. Sometimes, a person may get goosebumps that look like the skin of a plucked turkey after they cut themselves off their drug of choice. As such, quitting drugs ‘cold turkey’ means putting an abrupt stop to drugs and alcohol use. Most approaches are done at home without medical assistance or intervention. People who use this technique do so in the belief that it will be easier to stop using the substance immediately. Some believe that if they disassociate themselves from the drug entirely, they will feel less compelled to start using it again. For others, detoxing at home is the most convenient method because they don’t have medical insurance and are unable to afford treatment services. As painful and uncomfortable the experience might be, they believe they can do it on their own without the need for specialized drug addiction treatment. Another reason for going cold turkey is that the addict prefers to do it in a familiar environment where they can feel safer and supported by friends and family. However, quitting cold turkey should not be mistaken for detoxification. Detox is a slow process of clearing drugs from the body in a safe and controlled setting. Detoxing allows the body enough time to purge physical cravings and the freedom to go through several uncomfortable feelings and changes brought about by the body breaking free of the drug. Why Quitting Cold Turkey Is So Hard? If you’re trying to quit drugs, cold turkey may seem like a fast and easy option at first. You get to go through the process privately at home without subjecting yourself to judgment or scrutiny from people. However, the technique is very difficult to do. Factors that make it hard include: Withdrawal symptoms. Intense cravings. The drug of choice. The level of addiction. Co-occurring mental health conditions. The Addicted Phase If you’re addicted to alcohol or a particular drug, your body has likely developed an undesirable mental and physical dependency on the substance. At this point, both your brain and body need those chemicals to sustain a level of equilibrium. Withdrawal Symptoms Once you go cold turkey, your body begins to try and go back to its non-addicted state by purging itself of the drug or alcohol substances. This purging process produces intense withdrawal symptoms and physical cravings that can affect you emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Examples of highly common physical and mental withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, nausea, depression, seizures, hallucinations, vomiting, mood imbalances, agitation, mental fog, insomnia, irregular heart rate, and changes in blood pressure. Drug of Choice The type of drug involved also makes it hard for the addict to recover from their addiction through the technique. The drug your body is dependent on will determine the withdrawal symptoms you experience and the degree of severity. Level of Addiction Drugs such as heroin and benzos are highly addictive, and experts recommend that addicts of these drugs refrain from using the approach since they can lead to highly dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Co-occurring Mental Health Condition The co-occurring mental health condition of the addict can also complicate drug withdrawal and can lead to a highly unpredictable behavioral response from the addict. The severity of the addiction also makes it difficult for addicts to achieve success from the method. The degree of dependence on a drug, as well as the amount of time you use the drug, will determine how your body and brain will respond to being cut off. Simply put, the more severe the addiction, the more intense the withdrawal symptoms will be. Is It Safe To Quit Cold Turkey? Quitting cold turkey may not be the safest or most effective approach to staying sober, especially for people who have developed a dependency on a particular substance. Quitting too soon can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and a strong urge to resume substance abuse. In certain cases, the withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that they cause life-threatening medical conditions such as seizures and heart problems, as explained earlier in this article. Even substances that pose a low risk of addiction, such as nicotine, can cause highly unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. This is not to say that quitting cold turkey cannot be successful. The technique can be highly effective with the right support system and the rate at which the addict can overcome the withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms last for varying lengths, and some people can get past the withdrawal period faster than those who decide to quit gradually. But if a person is addicted to potentially harmful drugs such as meth or heroin, cold turkey may not be the best idea. Risks You May Face If You Go Cold Turkey There are addiction-specific risks you should be aware of if you are going cold turkey. The common ones would include – Smoking Smoking cold turkey doesn’t have any direct and significant withdrawal symptoms. When someone abruptly decides to quit smoking cold turkey, they won’t face any life-threatening symptoms. However, people quitting smoking cold turkey have a lower success rate than people quitting with external support. But, the nicotine withdrawal symptoms you get from quitting smoking cold turkey are difficult to cope with. Alcohol & Cold Turkey Alcohol cold turkey can be really difficult. It leads the person who’s quitting alcohol to serious health risks under certain conditions. Sometimes, the effects can be life-threatening. The most serious form of alcohol cold turkey is delirium tremens. This is something that leads the person who’s quitting alcohol into rapid onsets of extreme levels of confusion. It also meddles with how their brain regulates blood circulation and breathing. It is common for people to do cold turkey on alcohol to get DTs within 48 hours of quitting the drink. Also, this can last for 5 days straight. They can experience severe levels of confusion and extreme levels of hyperactivity. Loss of consciousness, hallucination, fever, issues with sleeping, etc. Drugs & Cold Turkey Similar to quitting severe alcohol addictions, drug cold turkey can also have severe onsets of drug addiction withdrawal symptoms. It’s common for someone with a drug addiction to use more than one substance. Typically, these people use opioids, heroin, cocaine, and other stimulants. But, if someone stops taking drugs abruptly, it’ll seem extremely serious life-threatening medical condition. These conditions include seizures, heart disease, dehydration, etc. Drug Addiction Treatment: Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction is not an easy thing to do. But this doesn’t deter people from going cold turkey without any external help or medical intervention. While it may seem like a fast and easy solution, a medically managed drug addiction treatment approach is highly recommended, drug addiction treatment centers is equipped with professionally trained staff who are committed to helping addicts recover and live a life of sobriety. If you or someone you care about needs help with their addiction, get in touch with a professional drug addiction treatment facility to help you achieve a successful recovery altogether. Read Also: Are You Sick and Tired of Drugs? 4 Tips to Find an Effective Drug Therapy Going to Rehab: What You Can Expect When You’re Getting Clean What You Need To Know About Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility

5 Ways to Get a Better Work-Life Balance for Remote Employees

The sudden shift from working in an office to working at home has been sudden and drastic. While managing your business is still very much possible to do remotely, you also have to consider how your teams are coping with these changes. It takes some adjusting and settling in when working remotely. While it may seem like it's a good idea at first, especially if you think of the time spent in traffic and waking up early to get ready for work, it now proves to be quite challenging for some. With that said, here's how you can get a better work-life balance. Here are 5 Ways to Get a Better Work-Life Balance for Remote Employees: 1. Stick to a working schedule When working remotely, it's tempting to lounge around all day and put off some work. This may even result in lowered productivity. Challenge yourself to still get up early and go through your morning routine. If it helps to think that you're going to work in your office, so you have a set routine, then do so. But what's important is you have a set schedule and see to it that you follow it religiously. It might take some time to get used to having a work schedule even if you're just at home but eventually you’ll get used to it. 2. Check-in regularly with your team Remember the small talks you had with your colleagues while working in between tasks? You can still make that happen. Make sure that you check in with your team every now and then. You're not the only one who's going through it alone; your colleagues are new to the idea of working from home too! So even if you can't talk to your team in-person, you can still get in touch with them instantly with team collaboration tools like Cisco Webex Teams. You can use this when you're brainstorming for an idea, discussing the next stages of your plan, or just casually checking-in with the team. With this, you can easily share files, present reports, and connect with your team without having to worry about the connection’s not being secured or having it abruptly interrupted. 3. Have a dedicated workspace Have you experienced working on your bed while still in your pajamas? To some extent, it’s nice to work like this, but the bed is definitely a distraction when you're working. There's a chance that you might even be tempted to just lounge around or sleep instead of doing your work. To achieve a nice work-life balance, you should create a dedicated workspace. You can think of it like you going to your office but you're just transferring to a different room this time. In this way, you're creating that separate space that will serve as your boundaries. See to it that your workspace is free of distractions and noise so you can fully focus on what you have to accomplish. At the end of every working day, you should leave everything related to your work in your workspace. 4. Eat your meals Have you ever encountered skipping your lunch or afternoon snack because you're in the zone? Don't worry; you're not the only one! Some of us are guilty of skipping meals, too. When you're working from home, it's very easy to lose track of time. It doesn't help that you're not around your colleagues and see them get up from their workstations to eat. You have to ensure that you follow your breaks. If you have a one-hour lunch break, see to it that you follow that. Don't eat in front of your computer or in your workspace. Eat your meals away from your workspace and maximize your break time. It doesn't mean that you have to work just because of your computers within your reach. Take this time to recharge your brain and rest your eyes. You'll have to deal with work after your break. It's bad enough that your home is also your work area, so put in some extra effort to set that boundary. 5. Exercise regularly One of the benefits of working from home is that you don’t have to worry about commuting time and traffic. If you didn't have much time before to exercise, now you can make time for it! It's very important that you do some physical movement at least three times a week. It's enough of a sedentary lifestyle that you’re working at home; and, it's really tempting to be a couch potato. But after sitting in front of the computer for at least 8 hours, and just walking around the house, your body deserves some more TLC! Besides, exercise releases endorphins, which can help you feel relaxed and at ease with your stress levels. If you still think you can't make time for it, remember about the time you’ve saved from not traveling to and from work! Is Working from Home Makes You Happier? Working from home has become the norm for many, and it's natural to wonder if this shift is making us happier. For some, the answer is a definite yes! The flexibility to set your schedule, avoid long commutes (...save money on them), and work in the comfort of your own space can really boost your mood. You have more time to spend with family, pursue hobbies, and even take breaks whenever needed! This will only contribute to a better work-life balance! However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. While working from home can increase happiness for some, others may feel isolated or struggle to separate work from personal life. Without the social interaction of an office environment, feelings of loneliness can creep in, affecting overall happiness. So, the impact on peace really depends on your personality, work habits, and how well you adapt to this new way of working. Especially if you can organize everything well and have time for your personal life. If you end up working all day and night with your eyes glued to the screen, it won't be as peaceful as you would expect. What Are the Long-Term Effects of Remote Work? As more companies embrace remote work, it's important to consider the long-term effects. On one hand, remote work can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. Employees can work in environments where they feel most comfortable, which can result in higher-quality work. Plus, companies can save on office space and related expenses, which could be redirected into employee benefits or other areas. The Bad Part! On the other hand, prolonged remote work can blur the lines between personal and professional life. Without clear boundaries, burnout becomes a real risk. Additionally, the lack of in-person interaction can weaken team cohesion and make it harder to build relationships with colleagues. Over time, this could lead to a decline in company culture and a sense of disconnection among employees. While working from home has its perks, it's important to be mindful of the potential long-term challenges and find a balance that works for you. Adjusting In the New Work Dynamic! Now that most of us are working remotely, it’s important to prioritize work-life balance. You are literally working and resting in your home, which makes it hard to establish that boundary of when to stop working and start resting. It may be a temporary setup, but you still must make the most of it. The last thing that you want to happen is for your productivity or rest to be compromised just because you weren’t able to set your boundaries. Learn how to draw the line between where work starts and where the rest ends. The tips written above are five simple but effective ways to achieve that work-life balance Read Also: Work from wherever you want Five things to consider before starting a Business Top 10 Apps for Team Communication and Remote Work

At Home or At the Dental Clinic: What Canadians Should Know About Teeth Whitening

Do you want to have excellent pearly whites teeth? A lot of people are disappointed when they have yellow or stained teeth. This means that they search for an affordable way to whiten their teeth. You usually get two options; you purchase an at-home teeth whitening kit head or head to a dental clinic in Canada. But, is there an option that is better than the other? Let’s take a look at what the differences are between at-home or at the dental clinic teeth whitening procedures. Difference Between At Home & Professional Teeth Whitening The teeth whitening procedures should be supervised by professionals. Because when you are using the home-based kits. You have to spend more time to get your desired results. But when you are going to the professional clinic within a single day, you will get your desired outcome. You have to select the services based on your requirements. Here is the difference between the home-based and professional teeth whitening procedure. At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits When it comes to at-home teeth whitening kits, there are a few options. For example, some people use whitening toothpaste or mouthwash. While this might help to brighten your teeth, often, it does not offer the kind of results people are looking for. This means that they turn to other options. In particular, there are gel strips that you wear for a couple of hours or whitening trays. But, there are a few problems with products like these. For example, they can contain unsafe bleaches that are not good for your teeth. This can lead to the erosion of enamel, and they can weaken your teeth over time. Home-based teeth whitening kits are always going to require more time to show up the effects, and getting an improved smile. In addition, a lot of the at-home whitening trays are not custom-made. This means that the trays that go over your teeth can irritate your gums. According to a family dentist in Langley, it is safer to go to a dental clinic if you want to whiten your teeth. They will be able to supervise a professional treatment. Some of the home-based teeth whitening kits also have some chemical compounds. So before buying these kits, do not forget to check the whole ingredient list first. Dental Clinic Teeth Whitening The best option you have is to go to a dental clinic for teeth whitening. While this will often cost more than at-home procedures, it is going to be safer to use on your teeth. You can know that it has been approved by professionals in the field. What’s more, they often will achieve much better results. In particular, since you are being supervised by a dental professional, a bleaching solution can be used, as well as custom-made trays for your teeth. So, this means that the treatment is personally adjusted for your needs, and you can enjoy peace of mind. The bleaching solution is also stronger and can achieve more teeth whitening, making it more effective at achieving the results you are looking for. The dental cleaning teeth whitening process consists of stronger ingredients than the home-based kits. So it is always better to seek professional help if you want an instant result. The second advantage is the doctor is going to check over all your dental health before the procedure. And this professional cleaning procedure has a more long-lasting result. Conclusion: The best thing you can do if you are considering whitening your teeth is to speak to your dentist first. With their expertise and experience, they are going to be able to advise you on the best route to take for your teeth. For instance, if you have gum problems or there are issues with your teeth, these conditions will have to be treated first. It might be the case that teeth whitening is not something that is going to suit you at the moment but that you will be able to enjoy in the future. Read Also: 5 Dental Hygiene Tips for a Healthier Smile Is It True That Good Oral Hygiene Can Reduce Cancer Risk? 5 Little Changes That Can Make Your Teeth-Brushing More Effective

7 Daring Party Drinks to Try This Winter

The Best Party Drinks for the Holiday Season:

1. Ginger and Berry Champagne:

Ingredients

Instructions

2. Chocolate Peppermint Mimosas:

Ingredients

Instructions

3. The Winter Old-Fashioned:

Ingredients

Instructions

4. The Ultimate Mistletoe Margaritas:

Ingredients

Instructions

5. Spiked Hot Cocoa with Rumchata:

Ingredients

Instructions

6. Classic Mulled Wine:

Instructions

Instructions

7. Cinnamon Whiskey Sour with Cranberry:

Ingredients

Instructions

Rock the Winter Drinks this Season:

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