5 hot drinks for your holiday party

PHOENIX - ‘Tis the season to get together with friends and family, so enjoy some of these hot drinks to warm up you and your guests at your holiday gathering.

Candy Cane Hot Cocoa

Anyone can pour a packet of some powdered chocolate and mix it with some hot water, but wow your guests with this twist on hot cocoa by adding some peppermint. All Recipes features a recipe that uses peppermint candy canes and a semisweet chocolate bar instead of the powdered stuff. Garnish with whipped cream and a mini candy cane to give an impressive presentation.

Hot Toddy

Warm up with this classic drink that's often been suggested to fight off a cold. Entertaining website thatsthespirit.com gives the traditional recipe for the drink, but gives the option of using not only whisky, but gin, rum or vodka too. The hot toddy is a drink that can be adapted to particular tastes and made as spicy or sweet as desired.

Hot Dulce de Leche

The Food Network lists this simple recipe for hot dulce de leche, which is simply warmed milk with dulce de leche added. Whisk in a saucepan until it gets frothy and serve in a mug with a dash of cinnamon. For an adult version, add your favorite liqueur or spirit such as rum.

Hot Spiced Punch

If you are having a holiday party with a lot of guests, punch is always a good option to serve. And to keep everyone nice and toasty, try Better Homes and Garden's recipe for hot spiced punch. Their recipe serves 12 and consists of a combination of apple cider and cranberry-rasberry drink accompanied with an array of spices like cloves and cinnamon. And of course, adding a dash of rum or brandy is always an option.

Spiked Coffee Nog

This is the time of year when eggnog lovers come together to relish in the taste that not everyone can appreciate. But with the spiked coffee nog drink featured on whattodrink.com , coffee drinkers and eggnog fans can both enjoy this brewed delight. A combination of freshly brewed coffee, Coffee-mate Eggnog Latte creamer, spiced rum and whipped cream, it will be sure to cap off a nice evening with dessert or be enjoyed on its own.