Deck the Halls: Beverages worthy of celebration

My favorite time of the holiday season is Christmas eve. That's when the preparation is finished and there's nothing left to do but sit back and enjoy the fruits of all that labor, sharing joy, laughter and a cup of cheer with family and friends.

For those who like their cheer warm and spicy there's a Wassail Punch, a tradition right out of a Dicken's novel. For a smaller group, Fireside Punch is a festive option. Neither Punch contains alcohol, however, it can be added after the heating is completed.

If a cold drink is preferred try a pitcher full of bright Cranberry Sangria, a combination of red wine, cranberry liqueur, along with cranberry and orange juices and infused citrus slices. Delicious!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Fireside Punch

1 1/2 cups cranberry juice cocktail

1 1/2 cup cold water

2 Constant Comment Orange Spice tea bags

2 T. brown sugar

Cinnamon sticks

Fresh cranberries for garnish

Directions: In medium saucepan, bring juice and water to a boil. Add tea bags; cover and brew 5 minutes. Remove tea bags; stir in sugar. Pour into mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick and fresh cranberries. Serves 5.

Cranberry Sangria

1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine

1 cup cranberry juice cocktail

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup cranberry liqueur

1 orange, thinly sliced

1 lime, thinly sliced

Directions: In large glass pitcher combine cranberry and orange juices, liqueur, orange slices and lime slices. Chill 2 to 8 hours before serving. To serve pour into glasses; add orange and lime from the pitcher to each glass. Serves 7.

Holiday Wassail

1 orange

1 lemon

1 1/2 tsps. whole cloves

3 (3-inch) sticks cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

1 gallon apple cider

2 cups orange juice

1 cup lemon juice

Directions: Peel orange and lemon, being careful to keep rinds intact; insert cloves in each strip of rind.

Combine rinds, cinnamon, sugar and apple cider in large Dutch oven. Bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. To serve, add orange and lemon juices to mixture and cook till thoroughly heated. Makes 5 quarts.