Santa’s Florida Kiss Cocktail

Did you guys have a chance to see yesterday’s post? There were so many fun ideas to celebrate the New Year!

While I love the build up to Christmas with the holiday baking, the home tours, the gingerbread houses, the shopping, gift wrapping and everything that goes into making the season a magical one I must admit as soon as December 27^th rolls around I’m looking forward to “What’s next?” Making plans for New Year’s Eve festivities and a New Year’s Day brunch is a great way to extend the season.

We usually host some sort of end of the year party between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Sometimes, it’s just friends coming over pot luck style for a bonfire. Other times it’s something that’s completely themed and planned like our Lumberjack party where everyone in attendance wore flannel. Depending on what kind of party we’re having we almost always try to have some sort of signature drink. This year our home is decorated with a lot of natural elements, we thought it completely fitting to give a nod to our fellow Floridians so we created Santa’s Florida Kiss.

This recipe calls for alcohol but you can just as easily omit the alcohol for a festive mocktail. Most all of these ingredients can be found at your local liquor store, grocery store and farmers market. The best part about this drink is that you can make most of it in advance which is always a time saver. Here’s a look at what you need to make your own Santa’s Florida Kiss…

Using a clean measuring cup for liquid, pour 4 ounces of Orange Triple Sec,

4 ounces of sweet white wine,

the juice from a one large blood red orange,

and 1 teaspoon of vanilla into a clean swing top glass bottle.

If you’re doing this in advance you can close the lid and place in the refrigerator until it’s party time OR

if you’re ready to enjoy Santa’s Florida Kiss right away you need to place several ice cubes in a clean glass mason jar (keeping the lid close by)

then pour the orange mixture over the ice cubes

and add a splash or several ounces of ginger ale (depending on your taste buds).

Place the lid on top of the mason jar and shake well.

Garnish with orange peel,

add a straw and you’re good to go!

The hardest part of this entire process is juicing the fresh Florida oranges so if you’re pressed for time consider using orange juice from the grocery.

As always, celebrate safely, drink responsibly and DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!  Call a cab, friend, parent, loved one to come and pick you up if you have been drinking. You’re awesome and we want you to be around for the next party!

See you guys back here tomorrow. I’ll share 17 Simple Ways to Ease into the New Year. Until then, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo