Raise a glass and toast holidays with simple, flavorful drinks

By Diane Toroian Keaggy

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

You could serve guests the full spectrum of booze at your holiday party.

But all of that mixing, shaking and stirring would leave you no time to overeat, smooch underneath the mistletoe or gossip about your neighbor’s collection of sequined holiday sweat shirts.

Instead, we recommend offering a limited menu. Assemble one or two signature drinks, a colorful nonalcoholic option and a cooler of beer, preferably produced by a fine local brewery.

Another tip: Rent glasses. Cheap plastic cups are for college keggers. Check the Yellow Pages or online for a nearby party rental store.

We’ve gathered half a dozen festive recipes. Some can be prepared in advance; others require just a few ingredients. But each is as beautiful as it is flavorful.

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