10 Holiday Cocktails That Will Leave You Staggering
The holidays can give you many reasons to drink. You may be lonely, you may be joyful, you may be socializing with friends and loved ones, or the people around you might be driving you absolutely nuts. No matter your reason for drinking, this list will help you find the perfect holiday cocktail this season.
1. Hot Buttered Rum
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this holiday cocktail is for you. Get into the holiday spirit with a large mug of hot buttered rum. You’ll feel like you’re having a butter beer at The Three Broomsticks when you sip on this warming spirit. Mix rum with butter, hot water, brown sugar, spices, and garnish with a cinnamon stick. This holiday cocktail is perfect for sipping while binge watching Harry Potter over the holiday break.
2. Gingerbread Martini
If you love gingerbread, it only makes sense to try this holiday cocktail. With four simple ingredients, you can make a batch of these martinis in no time for yourself and guests. Combine 1 1/2 parts vodka, 1 part gingerbread liqueur, 1/2 part white creme de cocoa, and 1/2 cream in a drink shaker. Mix thoroughly, and serve this holiday cocktail in martini glasses rimmed with vanilla icing and sprinkles. Garnish your finished drink with gingerbread people, and viola! This would make a great drink to serve at a gingerbread house building party.
3. Mulled Sangria
If you’re looking for an almost effortless holiday cocktail, look no further than mulled sangria. Choose your favorite red wine, and pour it straight into a crock pot or large pot on your stove. Add triple sec, brandy, and a variety of sliced fruit. Think grannysmith apples, navel oranges, pomegranate, and cranberries. Throw in cinnamon sticks if you please, or leave them on the side as a garnish or drink stirrer. Leave the concoction to mull for a few hours, and simply ladle the finished cocktail into mugs and serve!
4. Spiked Hot Chocolate
This is another easy holiday cocktail that almost anyone will enjoy. It starts simple enough. Prepare your favorite hot chocolate mix as directed, or make your own homemade hot chocolate. Add Bailey’s Irish Cream, and top with your favorite hot chocolate toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup. If you’re looking for an enhanced flavor profile with this holiday cocktail, add a shot of original Kahlua or Peppermint Kahlua to your creamy, boozy drink.
5. Cranberry Mimosas
This elegant and festive holiday cocktail will have you merry and bright with every bubbly sip you take. In a fluted glass, pour in a few tablespoons of cranberry simple syrup, and a small handful of frozen cranberries to keep your drink cold, and pretty. Pick your favorite brand of brut champagne or sparkling wine, and add it to the flute. If you don’t know where to get cranberry simple syrup, you can easily look up how to make your own. If you would like to complete your drink’s wreathed look, garnish it with a fresh sprig of rosemary. These holiday cocktails are an excellent choice if you decide to ring in the new year with guests.
6. Salted Caramel White Russian
This holiday cocktail puts a sweet twist on a well known classic. Start by coating the inside of your glasses with salted caramel. Add ice to your drink glasses, and add a mixture of one part salted caramel irish cream, one part amaretto, and three parts half and half. Once you’ve mixed and poured your beverage into your glass, you can add garnishes. Shards of dark chocolate make excellent and delicious stirring sticks, and rosemary sprigs look like tiny evergreen trees standing in contrast of the snow.
7. Holiday Mule
Pomegranate and lime add a cheery red and green hue to this holiday cocktail. Start with a traditional copper mule mug, and fill your mug with ice. Squeeze lime juice into your mug, and pour about five ounces of ginger beer into the mug. In a cocktail shaker, mix two ounces of cranberry juice, and two ounces of vodka. If you don’t feel like vodka, or don’t have it on hand, you can swap gin for this recipe. Pour your remaining liquid into your mug, and finish off your holiday cocktail with frozen cranberries. This mule will kick almost as hard as the real thing!
8. Apple Cider Hot Toddy
If you love everything apple in the colder months, keep a few jugs of cider on hand so you can make this warming holiday cocktail regularly. Heat six ounces of apple cider and pour it into a tea glass. Add a one ounce shot of your preferred bourbon or whiskey, and add honey and lemon to taste. If you would like a little more flavor to your hot toddy, throw in a cinnamon stick and a star of anise seed to your drink.
9. The Mistletoe Kiss
Made with rosemary simple syrup, vodka, lemon juice, and club soda, this fizzy cocktail with leave you feeling all tingly and jingly. Serve over ice with frozen cranberries for a beautiful cocktail that will wow everyone who drinks it. If you aren’t sure how to make the simple syrup for this drink, just add equal parts of sugar and water to a pot and brink them to a boil. Throw in fresh rosemary, and wait for it to steep.
10. Grinch Punch
This is more of a holiday mocktail than a holiday cocktail. Perfect for the kids, designated driver, or anyone not interested in partaking in alcohol. This delicious punch is bright green just the the Seuss character its named after. Mix pineapple juice, any lemon lime flavored soda, and green Hawaiian punch in a punch bowl. Add scoops of lime sherbet and green maraschino cherries to the punch bowl, and you’re done!
