Guest Editor: Wendy Bellissimo, Designer
Entertaining during the holidays is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the season! In need of some tried and true recipes that wow the whole family, I went right to Wendy Bellissimo. In addition to designing a maternity collection available exclusively at Motherhood Maternity, Wendy has a passion for entertaining at home. For the holidays, the mother of four serves up three signature beverages as a special treat for family and friends. Read along for her tips on how to put a special spin on the season’s most festive drinks!
Photo: Courtesy of Wendy Bellissimo
From Wendy
I love to serve up cozy non- alcoholic drinks specifically for the holiday season. My whole family enjoys these seasonal party favorites PLUS they make any holiday gathering more festive! Here are three of my favorite recipes along with some party outfit ideas perfect for the holidays.
Photo: Courtesy of Wendy Bellissimo
Hot Apple Cider – Garnished with cinnamon sticks, apple slices with cloves, star anise & fresh cranberries
Heat the apple cider and water mix; I like William Sonoma Cider Concentrate. Slice apples and cut a “V” in the bottom of the slice to fit snugly onto mugs. Be sure to slice thick enough for the clove application. Gently insert whole cloves on entire apple edge and place apple slice on edge of glass along with cinnamon stick.
Fill mug with Hot Apple Cider and add the star anise to float in the mug. For added color, you can place some fresh whole cranberries in the mug too. I love this touch of festive red cranberry floating with the natural star anise.
Photo: Courtesy of Wendy Bellissimo
Sparkling Apple Cider – With a touch of cherry juice for color and topped with a strawberry and raspberry
Add a drop of cherry juice to the sparkling apple cider from a maraschino cherry jar. Garnish the glass edge with a strawberry and a raspberry. I like to add a few raspberries directly to the cider too, because they float to the bottom and make the presentation more special.
Photo: Courtesy of Wendy Bellissimo
Hot Chocolate – topped with a cocoa powder and cinnamon-blend tree
Top hot chocolate with frothed milk. I make the milk in my Breville frother and it comes out perfect every time! Then mix equal parts pure cocoa powder and cinnamon in a small metal baker’s sifter/shaker. Gently position your plastic tree stencil on the frothed milk and sprinkle until you have a full layer of the cocoa and cinnamon blend. Carefully lift the tree stencil off of the frothed milk.
Crush your candy canes in a soft cloth on a cutting board, pounding very gently with a meat tenderizer. Place them on the frothed milk around your tree stencil.
Sprinkle your saucer with the cocoa powder and cinnamon blend and then place the mug in the saucer. Last, sprinkle the crushed candy canes around the bottom of the mug and add cookies to the plate for a perfect finish!
Photos: Courtesy of Wendy Bellissimo
Need some extra outfit inspo for your next holiday occasion? Opt for some pieces from my Wendy Bellissimo maternity collection: a little black dress to style any way you like, a fairisle top for a cute and comfy at-home gathering or keep it festive with red for your next holiday party. Happy Holidays! Love, Wendy
