Pretty, tasty, classic and with something for everyone, this beautiful cocktail, aromatic punch, Champagne sparkler and luscious cream treat will add flare to your festivities this holiday season. And for the purist, a brief look at port wine.

The Maxwell's Plum

New York City's legendary Tavern on the Green created this fruity, rich red concoction as an homage to the iconic restaurant of the same name. This "Step Back in Time" recipe from the Tavern on the Green cookbook serves two.

4 ounces plum vodka

1 ounce Triple Sec

1 ounce fresh orange juice

4 ounces bottled cherry juice

2 slices ripe plum (optional)

Chill two large martini glasses. In a cocktail shaker half filled with ice, combine all the ingredients except the plum slices. Shake energetically for 10 to 20 seconds, and then strain into the chilled glasses. Cut a slit in each slice of plum and slide over the rim of each glass. Serve at once.

Hot Cranberry Brew (nonalcoholic)

The Ravinia Festival, held in Highland Park, Illinois, every summer since 1904 except from 1932 to 1935 due to the Great Depression and 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, entertains more than half a million guests annually. In celebration of the tradition, music and food of the popular festival, The Women's Board of the Ravinia Festival Association published a cookbook of favorite recipes in 2008. The collection is just as elegant today as when it was published. This recipe makes four quarts.

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves

2 quarts cranberry juice

46 ounces pineapple juice

4 1/2 cups water

Place sugar and spices in 30-cup electric coffee pot basket (or reduce the recipe and use a large crock pot.) Add juices and water. Cycle as for coffee (or heat in crock pot until steaming.) Serve hot.

Poinsettia

Three ingredients simply mixed for a beautiful holiday drink -- the Poinsettia. Thanks to The Spruce Eats for this recipe that serves two.

1 ounce premium orange liqueur

6 ounces cranberry juice

6 ounces demi-sec Champagne (can substitute cava or proseco sparkling wines if desired)

Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Fresh cranberries, for garnish

Chill the ingredients for an hour or two before mixing.

Pour the orange liqueur and cranberry juice into chilled Champagne flutes. Stir well. Top with the Champagne, add garnishes and serve.

Eggnog for your holiday open house

Those delightful friends who come to celebrate, not count calories, will enjoy this decadent take on a holiday classic by Taste of Home. This version calls for amaretto for the taste of almond and vanilla; brandy or a combination of rum and cognac could be substituted. Or make it family friendly without alcohol. This recipe makes approximately nine cups, or 12 3/4-cup servings.

8 eggs

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

2 cups whole milk

4 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup amaretto

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

Additional ground nutmeg

In a large heavy saucepan, whisk eggs, sugar and confectioners' sugar until blended. Stir in milk.

Stirring constantly, cook over low heat about 20 minutes or until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a cooking thermometer reads at least 160 degrees. Do not allow to boil. Remove from heat immediately.

Stir in cream, amaretto, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover and refrigerate several hours or until cold. Sprinkle servings with additional nutmeg.

Port wine primer

A good glass of port wine, usually three ounces served just below room temperature in a stemware glass, often with a dessert or cheese course, can finish a pleasant evening with warm satisfaction. But not all port is created equal. The cheapest bottles on the shelf are much less rewarding.

Port is a sweet, rich wine made from indigenous grapes of Portugal. According to an online article by Wine Folly, "There are several styles of port, including red, white, rose and an aged style called Tawny Port." With flavor notes including raspberry, blackberry, caramel, cinnamon and chocolate, the article continues, "older, fine Tawny Ports have an even wider array of subtle flavors including graphite, green peppercorn, hazelnut, almond, butterscotch, and graham cracker. Look for wines aged for 30 or more years for this level of complexity." Try a few styles and price points. You'll soon find your favorite.