This holiday season, you’ll probably be wondering what parties to attend, what gifts to give, and what foods to serve – but when it comes to the drinking section, liquor or non-liquor, what drinks to enjoy are always treated as an afterthought. But hold your holiday cheers and worries, as we will help you provide suggestions for different kinds of drinks that your guests (and you) will surely love.
Alcoholic
First, we got to deal with alcoholic beverages, drinking your choice of liquor in its pure form is good and all, but why not give it a little fizzle with these recommendations.
Jager Bomb
You can never go wrong with a Jager Bomb: on a medium-sized shot glass, pour in some Jagermeister in it, then using another smaller shot glass, place it inside the medium-sized one and pour in some Red Bull or any energy drink of your choice — no need to mix it as it goes straight down to your gullet.
Fruit Punch
The good ol’ fruit punch, a surefire hit with any kind of person, whatever their jam, their preference or preferred taste, nothing can say no to a fruit punch. In a large punch bowl (or a beer tower pitcher, or just a plain pitcher of your choice), mix 2 parts of your choice of liquor (rum, vodka, gin or liqueur) then 1 part apple or orange juice, add some other flavours — you got to be creative! Then peel some choice fruits (apple, orange, grapes, pear, etc.) add into the mixture, let it sit for an hour then serve.
Lambanog Surprise
Maybe you’ll be wondering what the heck is lambanog, you’re in for a treat. It’s the Filipino version of moonshine, lambanog is a very strong liquor that will delight people who want to get into the zone. Mix in a cup of lambanog (around 300 ml) together with some calamansi and lime, but here’s the catch, add some pasteurized coconut milk, mix together and serve. And there you have it: a unique, refreshing beverage with a surprising kick.
French Horn & Tuba
Another specialty from the Philippine countryside, Tuba is another moonshine that tastes clearer and smoother but the kick isn’t that strong compared to lambanog. Mix in equal parts tuba and sweet grape juice together with a spritz of lemon. Compared to the first two, this drink is best served on a cocktail glass with an ice cube and mint garnish. Serves 5 per serving. You may be wondering where to buy lambanog and tuba, if you want pure authenticity, specialty shops and wet markets are the place to go, but if you’re busy, there are clean, bottled variants available in supermarkets.
“The Efficascent”
What is The Efficascent? This cocktail drink is slowly garnering popularity due its wacky name that refers to the drink’s color that has similarities to a brand of massaging oil. Making The Efficascent is simple, you’ll need the following: a gin of your choice, a bottle of energy drink and a can of clear soda will do the trick — mix everything together until it forms a light green to light blue appearance. Serve with crushed ice and enjoy. The Efficascent is popular among youngsters who are seeking to drink an alcoholic beverage without the dominating bitter liquor taste.
Why don’t you just buy some…
If you are too busy and don’t have time to make these recipes, we recommend trying specialty wine or cheap wine, craft beers, available in a wide range of sizes, with flavors ranging from classic strawberry, chocolate down to wackier ones such as cheesecake, licorice, or even lemonade! It’s available via ordering online or visiting your nearest specialty liquor shop to check for availability.
Non-alcoholic
What about the other peeps out there who don't want to drink your alcoholic concoctions because either they are a teetotaler, pregnant, or any other reason? We also got your back, serve them these wonderful drinks:
Mojito in Memory
Mojito in Memory is Mojito without the liquor – but the tanginess is still there, and everybody can drink it! To prepare this, mix some lime juice, lemon juice with a spritz of calamansi, mix well and add in some citrus chunks, add in some mint sprigs and you’re all done! A refreshing, cool drink that is a perfect choice for the holidays.
Four Seasons with a twist
Instead of the usual Four Season ingredients, we will spice it up by making it different: mix in equal parts cranberry juice, guava juice, yuzu lemon juice, and a wildcard flavor that is up to you: mix it well and serve as it is or you can also turn it into popsicle sticks that kids will love!
Fruit-infused water
Maybe you want a healthier balance between fatty foods and sweet desserts, and you don’t want another beverage that is also filled with sugar — just slice some fruits, three or four slices is perfectly fine, you can also add some pandan leaves and mint leaves, and you have yourself a healthy drink.
Yuletide Iced Tea
Let’s continue this health theme, shall we? Boil in some tea in a pot, mixed in some herbs such as lemongrass (a single stalk is enough, we don’t want your drink to taste solely like lemongrass as the flavor is overpowering if not used right), add in some vanilla extract and cinnamon, mix and bring to a nice boil, let it cool down and transfer it to a pitcher, and serve with some ice. Yuletide Ice Tea tastes exactly like yuletide: Christmas-y, toasty, spice-filled drink that will deliver the high note in your Christmas celebration inside your condo.
Why don’t you just buy some…
Readymade fruit juices and other beverages are waiting to be purchased at your local grocer if you don’t have the time to make any of the recipes here. We understand that everyone is busy (including you) these holidays and we want to help you celebrate the best holiday gathering in your house or condo. Be sure to drink moderately and always practice health protocols to ensure the best and safest holidays right inside your home.
And what better way to celebrate the holiday season than in your condo living the best life possible — with top-notch security, strategic placement near-premium universities, and mass transportation, you are also minutes away from establishments such as convenience stores and restaurants. Vista Residences offers ready for occupancy condos in cities and places such as Manila, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, and many more locations nationwide. Condominiums offered by Vista Residences are designed well, spacious, and accessible for persons with disabilities as well. Vista Residences is part of Vista Land’s roster of vertical housing brands that cater to millennials and young professionals.
At Vista Residences, unit owners can take advantage of the property’s centrality. The properties of Vista Residences are strategically located near the country’s premium universities and CBDs, making them an attractive investment for both local and foreign investors.
Living in Vista Residences enables you to enjoy convenience, where everything is pretty much within walking distance or a few minutes away from the property; comfort because the project features and amenities are designed to deliver comfort at all times, which makes condo living a worthy investment; security that is 24/7 and CCTV monitoring, which makes the residents safe and secure within the property.
In line with Vista Residences’ thrust to offer convenience among its residents, it also features an AllDay Convenience Store and Coffee Project in all its projects.
Start your very own #CondoLiving experience today! For more information on Vista Residences, email info@vistaresidences.com.ph, follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
For more information on Vista Residences, email info@vistaresidences.com.ph, follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
