Here are some of this season's beverages being served up by the Las Vegas casinos. We don't drink much, but if someone put these in front of me, I'd do my best to work through them all.

Mistletoe Delight: equal parts Grand Marnier and cranberry juice with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, garnished with a rosemary sprig.

Santa's Bender: a warm treat that twists hot apple cider into something adult with the addition of Crown Royal and whipped cream on top.

Gondolier Blanco: white chocolate liqueur, white creme de menthe, white creme de cocoa, white chocolate syrup, and cream, served in a candy cane-rimmed martini glass.



Santa's Helper Martini: Absolut Vanilla vodka, white chocolate Godiva liqueur, Kahlua, and creme de menthe garnished with whipped cream, candy cane, and cinnamon stick.

Drunken Elf: Absolut Vanilla, creme de menthe, sambuca, muddled mint leaves, and vanilla syrup, garnished with red, white and green gum drops.

Goes beyond plain old eggnog, doesn't it?

Here is my recipe for a thick, flavorful eggnog. I couldn't find brandy extract at the store, so bought rum extract, and might spike it with some brandy.

Eggnog

1 quart milk
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons flour
pinch salt
6 eggs, separated
vanilla to taste
brandy extract
1 pint light cream or half-and-half
(rum or brandy to taste)

Heat the milk until tiny bubbles form around the side of the pan. While it's heating, toss the sugar, flour, salt, and egg yolks into the top half of a double boiler and mix them well. When the milk is hot enough, add slowly, stirring constantly. Place over boiling water, and cook, stirring often, until it coats the spoon like a smooth, clingy cream. Take off the heat, add vanilla, set aside to cool. When cool, stir in the light cream or half-and-half; then beat the egg whites until they're stiff, and fold them into the nog. Spike with whatever and garnish with grated nutmeg.

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Here is a hot cranberry cider drink.

Hot Cranberry Cider

1 quart apple cider or juice
1 (32 ounce) bottle cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
8 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks

In a large saucepan, combine ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Remove spices. Serve warm.

Hot Spiced Holiday Drink

4 cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoons whole allspice
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 cups sugar
2 cups water

2 quarts orange juice
2 quarts pineapple juice
Dark rum or brandy served on the side

Combine water and sugar and spices. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. In a 12-cup or larger percolator, combine syrup, spices, and juices. Perk until hot. Remove the spices.

Serve with bottle of liquor that guests can add as desired (about 2 tablespoons suggested).