If the words “holiday season” conjure up stressful thoughts that revolve around fighting the crowds on Black Friday to save an extra buck or going into massive amounts of debt in an attempt to buy the love of those you care for, there’s good news: this year, you can relax.  Believe it or not, people all over the country are beginning to remember the true essence of the holidays is about sharing love and joy, and here at the Blind Tiger Cocktail Company, we believe the best way to share love and joy is over delicious food and drink.  So before you go out and buy the newest animal-print Snuggie or another Shake Weight, think about planning that perfect holiday gathering for those you care for.  

Here is the Blind Tiger Cocktail Company guide to holiday punch. As always, please drink responsibly.

Essentials for amazing holiday punch

• Punchbowl large enough to accommodate your party (matching holiday cups is a huge bonus)

• Large ice mold (using large mixing bowl slightly smaller than your punchbowl for minimal dilution)

• Simple syrup (a simple mixture of one part hot water and one part sugar, allowing sugar to dissolve entirely)

• Fresh citrus juice (buy a citrus press and use fresh juice whenever possible)

• Artisanal-quality base spirits (go to a specialty liquor store that sells boutique spirits)

Autumn spiced cider

10 oz Buffalo Trace bourbon

10 oz Snap liqueur

10 oz apple cider

7 oz lemon juice

5 oz apple gastrique

Apple gastrique: caramelize 2 cups of sugar in the bottom of a saucepan with 1/2 cup of water.  Once mixture begins to caramelize, add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 whole diced apple.  Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, cool and strain

Black strap eggnog

20 oz Crusoe spiced organic rum

15 oz eggnog

5 oz cinnamon infused simple syrup

2 oz Angostura bitters

Cinnamon simple syrup: allow 2 broken cinnamon sticks to simmer in 5 ounces of simple syrup for 5 minutes on low heat. Cool and strain.

Cherries and Chocolate

15 oz clove-infused vodka

5 oz Godiva chocolate liqueur

14 oz cherry reduction

8 oz lemon juice

Clove vodka: allow 12 clove pods to infuse in 750 ml of vodka for 5 days

Cherry reduction: allow 1 large can of dark pitted cherries, 4 cups of water, 1 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of nutmeg and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon to simmer on low heat for 20 minutes. Cool and strain. Save cherries for garnish.

— Adam Stemmler is a sommelier and mixologist at Vin de Syrah downtown. He is the winner of numerous awards, including the U.S. Bartenders Guild regional competion.