Yuletide Cooler Recipes

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker one-third full with cracked ice. Pour the Dubonnet, pear brandy, and lime juice over the ice. Shake the mixture vigorously and pour it with the ice into a chilled highball glass. Fill the glass with soda water and stir lightly to blend.
• Garnish with the lime slice.

Steps:

• Place crushed candy cane bits into pint glass. Muddle the candy cane slightly, breaking up the bigger pieces. Do not over-muddle into a powder. Add vodka, brandy and half-and-half and stir. Pour into a shaker with ice. Shake lightly to chill and strain into old-fashioned glass full of ice. Add a peppermint stick and stir. Garnish with a mint sprig.
• Thoroughly wash mint leaves and place in a decanter or jar. Empty vodka into container and muddle slightly to release the essential oils. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 3 days - longer if you want a stronger taste.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar. Beat in almond extract. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle., Shape dough into 1-in. balls; roll in crushed cereal. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a cherry half into the center of each cookie. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Steps:

• In a pitcher, combine the juices, sugar and extract. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale.

Steps:

• Combine cranberry juice and tangerine juice in large pitcher. Add lime juice and stir to blend. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Cut thin slice off tops and bottoms of tangerines. Cut each horizontally into three 1/4- to 1/3-inch-thick rounds. Divide cooler among 6 tall glasses. Garnish with tangerine rounds and serve.