Celebrate with Christmas cocktails

The Christmas holidays is the favourite time of the year for many. What better way to dazzle guests and surprise family members than with your bartending skills? Help bring cheer and spirit to your holiday party with these tasty cocktails, which are part of the Red Stripe Christmas on the Rock promotion.

Led by its brewed brands Red Stripe, Red Stripe Light, Red Stripe Bold, Heineken and Guinness, the campaign offers instant rewards for consumers.

"We are giving our consumers instant and guaranteed rewards this holiday season," said head of marketing, Jomo Cato. "Our beer brands have always played an integral role in the celebratory moments of the season and our consumers now have more to cheer about with instant savings in a time when it is really needed."

Cato also said consumers will have the chance to win on-the-spot prizes in supermarkets and that they should welcome the price specials at bars and restaurants.

Chef Brian Lumley has created a few cocktail recipes that are sure to find favour.

He notes that "Red Stripe's flavours allow great flexibility in creating an interesting range of drink recipes from spicy sweet to tangy, using local spices and herbs the possibilities are worth exploring".

Sorrel Stripe

Ingredients

1 Red Stripe Light

400ml sorrel juice (sweetened)

100ml club soda

30g ginger

Method

1. Crush ginger and place in shaker.

2. Add sorrel juice and shake.

3. Pour mixture along with Red Stripe light and club soda in a jug and stir. Taste for consistency (should have a light beer taste with a slight sweet from the sorrel and a subtle pop from the club soda).

4. Garnish with cilantro and lime slice in a martini glass.

5. Enjoy chilled.

Makes 4 servings.

Guinness Eggnog

Ingredients

6 eggs

2 extra egg yolks

4 cups whole milk

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1 cup Guinness Stout

Method

1. Start by whisking the egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a large pan until well-blended. Keep on whisking while you slowly pour in the milk until it is completely mixed in.

2. Next, set the pan on your stove's burner and turn it to the lowest possible setting. Continuously whisk ingredients for 25-30 minutes or until the mixture reaches 160F and will coat the underside of a spoon.

3. Remove the mixture from heat and strain it into a large-sized bowl, making sure to get out any pieces of cooked egg.

4. Now stir in the Guinness, vanilla, and nutmeg, and transfer your mixture to a covered dish. Refrigerate the mix for at least four hours before proceeding.

5. Finally, when you're ready to serve your eggnog with alcohol, grab the heavy cream and whip it well. Now just fold in the chilled mix, pour, serve and enjoy!

Makes 14 servings.