Shake things up this holiday season with tasty cocktails

Family Features

’Tis the season for entertaining, and festive cocktails are in fashion for gatherings large and small.

This season, shake things up a bit.

Trade in the punch bowl for a cocktail shaker and serve up some easy, fun and delicious egg-based cocktails for guests.

But, if you’re asking if raw eggs are safe to use, the answer is “yes as long as you’re using pasteurized eggs.”

Safest Choice Eggs are pasteurized in their shells using a warm water bath which eliminates the risk of salmonella. A red circle “P” stamped on the eggs lets you know they are safe.

Simple, sensational cocktails

Eggnog is a must-have for the season, and most everyone agrees that homemade tastes best.

So start with the basics to make a perfect Shaken Eggnog Cocktail.

A whole egg, cream, brandy or bourbon, some simple syrup and you’re on your way to cocktail bliss.

Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice and it’s time for a toast with this creamy, slightly spicy take on eggnog.

As a nod to another seasonal favorite, the cranberry, a Cranberry Fizz is just what the mixologist ordered.

It’s an ethereal combination of orange liqueur, vodka and cranberry juice, accented with hints of lime and bitters.

Add an egg white and give it a few shakes; the egg white provides a layer of foamy, frothy fizz.

Egg whites have been used to give a “fizz” to cocktails since the late 1800s, so clink your glasses together to celebrate this tradition, which can be enjoyed once again, thanks to pasteurized eggs.

Cocktails — and more

Pasteurized eggs aren’t just for cocktails.

To ensure safety, they should be used to make any recipe that calls for raw or gently cooked eggs — such as mayonnaise, chocolate mousse, Caesar salad dressing, sunny-side-up and poached eggs.

So, cheers to happy sipping and remember: pasteurized = peace of mind.

For recipes and more, visit www.safeeggs.com.

Shaken Eggnog Cocktail

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Makes: 2 servings

1/4cup heavy cream

2tablespoons milk

11/2ounces brandy, bourbon or dark rum

11/2tablespoons simple syrup or agave nectar (see note)

1Safest Choice Pasteurized Egg, slightly beaten

1/2teaspoon vanilla extract

Ice

Pumpkin pie spice

Place cream, milk, brandy, simple syrup, egg, vanilla and ice in cocktail shaker. Shake until well blended. Pour into 2 glasses rimmed with pumpkin pie spice, if desired. Dust with additional pumpkin pie spice.

Note: Simple syrup can be purchased in the beverage section of some supermarkets or specialty stores. To prepare at home, combine equal parts water and sugar in saucepan. Bring to boil and cook until sugar dissolves; cool. Store in refrigerator.

To add pumpkin pie spice rim to glasses, dip rim of glass into simple syrup or agave, then into shallow layer of pumpkin pie spice. Allow to dry.

Cranberry Fizz

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Makes: 2 servings

11/2ounces orange liqueur

11/2ounces vodka

3/4cup cranberry juice

1teaspoon fresh lime juice

1Safest Choice Pasteurized Egg white, slightly beaten

Dash citrus bitters

Ice

Place orange liqueur, vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, egg white, dash of bitters and ice in cocktail shaker. Shake until ingredients are blended. Pour into 2 glasses rimmed with sugar, if desired.

To add sugar rim to glasses, dip rim of glass into citrus juice (orange, lemon or lime) then into shallow layer of colored sugars. Allow to dry.

Note: Recipe may be doubled.