Whether you’re hosting your family for the holidays or just trying to keep warm from the winter chill, a good cocktail can be the perfect companion to the joy of the season. From warm drinks like the Hot Toddy to classic cocktails with holiday twists like the Maple Old Fashioned, there’s a drink that’s perfect for everyone this Christmas. Themed cocktails are a great addition to your Christmas party, and a well-mixed version of your favorite drink can be a reprieve from the stress of holidays. So, let’s start making spirits bright with these delightful libations.
Auld Lang Syne Apple Toddy
Nothing takes the edge off the winter winds quite like a Hot Toddy. This classic drink will warm you up after a snowball fight, ski trip, or sleigh ride. While the traditional Hot Toddy is already a winter favorite, the addition of Apple Infused Whiskey and a cinnamon stick will make you want to don your ugly Christmas sweater, sing carols, and embarrass your sister in front of her new boyfriend.
- 2 oz Apple Infused Whiskey or Brandy
- ½ oz Lemon Juice
- ½ oz of Honey
- 3 oz of Genmaicha Green Tea
- 1 Cardamom pod
- Cinnamon Stick for garnish.
Steep the green tea with a cardamom pod. Once the tea is ready, combine the ingredients in a glass or toddy mug and stir. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Jingle Bell Juice
This punch is a great treat for the holidays, especially for the various parties you may host or attend. This easy-to-make punch is a delight to drink and its bright red color will perfectly complement all your holiday décor.
- 1 large bag of ice
- 5 cups of Cranberry Juice
- 2 bottles Dry Sparkling Wine
- 2 cups of Apple Cider
- 1 ½ cups Ginger Ale
- 1 ½ cups Rum or Brandy
- 2 Oranges
- 1 cup Cranberries
Chill all ingredients. Fill your punch bowl with ice and then pour in ingredients. Stir gently and then add orange slices and cranberries for garnish.
The First Snowfall Martini
Whether you’re celebrating the first snow of the season or wanting to inspire winter thoughts in a snowless city, this drink will do the job. While Vodka is the main spirit in this drink, additional ingredients are included to create a chocolatey flavor and to make it look white as snow.
- 2 oz Vanilla Vodka
- 2 oz White Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 oz Crème de Cacao
- 1 oz Half and Half
- Honey and Sugar for garnish
Rim a martini glass with honey and then coat the rim with sugar. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker add your other ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass and serve.
The Reindeer Whiskey Flip
A luscious drink perfect for this time of year, the Reindeer Whiskey Flip is a twist on a classic cocktail. If you’re not familiar with the Whiskey Flip, imagine if eggnog had Whiskey in it – we can tell you’re already convinced. While Whiskey Flips are already enjoyed during the winter, this version makes it a little more festive with the addition of cinnamon and nutmeg.
- 2 oz of Cinnamon Whiskey
- ½ oz Amaretto
- 1 whole Egg
- 2 tsp Heavy Cream
- Grated Nutmeg for garnish
Add your ingredients into a shaker. Dry shake, meaning without ice. Be sure to shake vigorously. Then, fill your shaker with ice and shake vigorously again. Strain into a cocktail glass and dust with grated nutmeg.
The Christmas Mule
Dominick the Donkey has a cousin and it’s the Christmas Mule. Not really, but this holiday spin on the Moscow Mule makes it worthy of its own Christmas song. This three-ingredient cocktail is even served warm, perfect for those cold winter nights.
- 1 ½ oz Pear Vodka
- 4 oz of Ginger Beer
- Cinnamon Stick
Slowly warm up the Ginger Beer over the stove or in the microwave. You want it warm, but you don’t want to boil and ruin the carbonation. Pour Vodka into a mug and then add the heated Ginger Beer. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Though it’s mostly a garnish, the cinnamon will slowly seep its way into your drink.
The Christmas (Palm) Tree
Just in Mai Tai-me for the holidays, this twist on the classic cocktail is a delightfully, fruit-filled drink you can enjoy throughout the winter season. With pineapple, citrus, and cranberry flavors, this drink will spark island time vibes but still fit in with the themes of Christmas.
- 2 oz Gold Rum
- 2 oz Spiced Rum
- 1 oz Orange Curacao
- 2 oz Lime Juice
- 1 ½ oz Pineapple Juice
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
- 1 oz Dark Rum
- Pineapple Slices, Sugared Cranberries, Sugar Cane and/or Mint for Garnish
Add Gold and Spiced Rums into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Then, follow up with the juices, Simple Syrups and Orange Curacao. Shake well and pour into two ice-filled rocks glasses. Float some dark rum at the top of each glass. You can garnish with pineapple slices, sugared cranberries, sugar cane, and mint all together or individually.
