Pamela Love: Caramel Apple Cider

"I found the basic recipe a while ago but always tweak it to taste. It’s great because you can make it vegan or add whip cream, and it can be more-or-less tart depending on the amount of caramel. It’s a pretty cozy, festive drink to sip around the holidays, but not too heavy."

Ingredients:
6 ounces apple juice
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 ounce caramel syrup (you can buy at your local grocery store or make yourself – recipe below)
1 ounce vodka (your choice)
whipped cream (optional)
caramel sauce (optional)

Caramel Syrup

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar

Directions:
Heat sugar and 1 cup water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and comes to a boil. Continue cooking, brushing down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush but without stirring, until mixture becomes golden amber in color.

Immediately remove from heat and add 1 cup water. Return to heat and continue stirring until mixture becomes liquid. Transfer to a heatproof container and let cool completely before using.

Directions:
1 – In a saucepan, bring the apple juice, cinnamon, and caramel syrup to a boil.
2 – Reduce heat, add vodka.
3- Let simmer for 5-7 minutes
4 -Top off with whipped cream, cinnamon powder, or cinnamon sticks
5 – Happy hollies!

Find out what Lyndsey Butler’s holiday drink is on the next page… 

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Veda – designer, Lyndsey Butler: "For a nice break from the typical sweet holiday beverage, my choices below are light and refreshing!"

Tom Collins:

Ingredients
2 fluid ounces gin
2 fluid ounces lemon juice
1 fluid ounce simple syrup
1 dash bitters
1 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup cold club soda
1 slice lemon, for garnish
1 maraschino cherry

Directions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and a dash of bitters. Cover and shake until the outside of the container is frosty, about 15 seconds. Strain into a highball glass full of ice. Top off with club soda and garnish with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry.

Find out how Jay Godfrey likes to mix it up on the next page… 

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Jay Godfrey: The Perfect Storm

"During this holiday season I will be eating and drinking frequently at the Dutch in Miami. Their cocktail, "The Perfect Storm" has tequila, ginger liqueur, thyme, jerk bitters, lime and grapefruit soda. The perfect way to share the holiday cheer in a warm weather climate!"

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Tequila (Or for a more festive orange flavour use Grand Marnier)
1/2 oz fresh lime juice or grapefruit soda
3 oz ginger beer or ginger liqueur
3 drops Angostura bitters
Sprig of thyme and lime wedge for garnish

Directions:
Combine Tequila/Grand Marnier, lime juice and bitters in a mixing glass.

Add ice and shake vigorously

Strain over fresh ice into a highball glass.

Top with ginger beer or ginger liqueur and swirl.

Garnish with a thyme and a lime wedge.

(All spirits are located at liquor stores nationwide and in Ontario at the LCBO.)

Read more:
Holiday beauty  tips: Party perfect hairstyles
ELLE Canada editors’ holiday wish list
Winter fashion accessories: Holiday heels under $200
The 8 best holiday beauty looks