A Family Tradition Continued: Our Christmas Cocktail (with Recipe)
Every family has its holiday traditions. In mine, it’s a Christmas cocktail. Every year it’s different. But always yummy.
The tradition started when my brother-in-law, Matt Worrix, decided to invent a cocktail for a big family celebration. It was such a hit, that it continued. Every Christmas, Thanksgiving or family birthday, Matt would invent a new cocktail to celebrate the occasion. It was something everyone looked forward to.
The “Tempo Toddy,” named for my sister’s business in McMinnville Oregon.
It has now been adapted for this year’s Christmas Cocktail for the family holiday celebration.
Matt and my sister, Marilyn, would spend a week or more working out the finer points of the cocktail–mixing, tasting, tweaking, mixing some more, tasting again. Adding a bit of this or a touch less of that. Agonizing over the proper garnishes. Figuring out the quantities needed for 15-20 people!
After a few “taste tests,” they were often giggling so much they had to stop. But the final Thanksgiving… or birthday… or Christmas cocktail always ended up a winner.
Sadly, we lost Matt this year. The holidays will not be the same. But by general agreement, his spirit will be with us as we celebrate with a new Christmas Cocktail.
Deciding what to make is always fun and challenging. What could my sister and I come up with that would stand up to the Matt Worrix standard?
We were out Christmas shopping last week, on a freezing, snowy day, and stopped for a late lunch at Golden Valley Brew Pub, a wonderful and cozy spot in McMinnville, Oregon. We definitely needed something hot to warm us up, so we asked the waiter for a suggestion. And boy, were we glad we did? What he brought us was one of their popular seasonal concoctions, a wonderful combination of hot apple cider, bourbon, and Grand Marnier, topped with fresh whipped cream.
We knew immediately we had found this year’s Christmas Cocktail.
With a bit of tweaking, testing, tasting, and tweaking again, here is our version of the “Tempo Toddy.” Feel free to tweak the proportions to your personal taste. Try it. I think you will like it!
Tempo Toddy Christmas Cocktail
For One Christmas Cocktail
4 oz. hot spiced apple cider
1 oz. bourbon
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
Mix well together
Place a whole cinnamon stick in each glass/mug and add the hot mixture. (If using glass, be sure it can withstand the heat without cracking.)
Top with sweetened whipped cream and garnish with a thin slice of apple on the rim.
Think up the perfect Christmas toast, raise your glasses all high, and enjoy!
(Alternately… add one pair of warm, fuzzy slippers, a roaring fire, some holiday music and a good book–with the air scented by the piney bite of the Christmas tree. Enjoy!)
If you find yourself in McMinnville, Oregon (and you should–it is a delightful town) do stop in at Golden Valley Brew Pub for a meal or one of their terrific craft brews. You won’t be disappointed.
Pin This Post to Share or Save for Later.
With a yummy holiday cocktail like that who needs Santa to visit?
Thanks, Laura. It was a huge hit all around. And Santa came anyway!
I could use one of your hot cocktails right about NOW. I had a gin and tonic with dinner—-totally wrong season.
Yep, I get that, Suzanne. Although gin and tonic is probably great while you are on your Hawaii trip! This one was the perfect cold weather drink, and it tasted as good as it looked.
Love the drink! So beautiful..
Thanks. It tasted as good as it looked!
I’ve got a feeling I’d really enjoy the Tempo Toddy. Thx for sharing the recipe with us & all the best in 2019 to you!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…2018: a year of transition
I think you would too, Doreen. It’s so comforting and festive on a cold winter’s eve. And Happy New Year to you too!
Hi Donna!
How far is it from McMinnville to Portland? We have friends there Hope you are well. Hope to get to San Miguel in Dec or Jan Will you be there?
xoxo
Rainie🦄
Hi Rainie. McMinnville is about 45 minutes SW of Portland, depending on traffic. It’s a lovely town in the Willamette Valley wine country. I’m not sure yet if I will be in SMA at the end of the year, but it looks likely!