Picture this: it’s a few days before your meticulously planned Christmas party. This is your time to impress, showing off how your ability to make the holiday season super festive is unmatched by any and all of your friends and family. You’ve got lights, you’ve got games, you’ve even got snow in the forecast because even mother nature is hyping you up this year. A perfect meal is currently being prepped, the mistletoe is hung perfectly above the door frame, and the only trip left to make is to the liquor store.
Now, what are you going to pick? Some nice wine? Maybe some champagne? Beer? No way! You’re not going to put the intoxication of your guests in the hands of some basic-ass alcohol, are you? Of course not! But what do you serve? Lucky for you, you checked out this article before you left (you smart cookie you) and you’ve got some great ideas to make sure everyone is warm and fuzzy on the outside and on the inside.
If you are sick with the same old same old drinks this winter, try mixing up some of these 10 creative cocktails that pair perfectly the Christmas spirit with some deliciously mixed spirits.
Ingredients: Cranberries (duh), cranberry syrup, gin, lemon juice, liqueur of your choice, club soda
Pleasing to the eye as well as to the stomach, this gin fizz mixes some great easy to find alcohols with some classic Christmas flair. This cocktail can be as simple or complex as you like by adding in whatever fruity liqueurs you can get your hands on. Just be careful: it’s a dangerous drink because of how many you can down before realizing you’ve had one (or six) too many.
Ingredients: vodka, cherry brandy, lime juice, simple syrup, raspberry, sprig of rosemary garnish
Being caught under the mistletoe can be either exhilarating or exasperating (depending on who it’s with), so bring the mistletoe to whoever you want with a Mistletoe Martini. The perfect drink to be as unsubtle as possible with your crush/date/holiday hookup, the Mistletoe Martini brings the romance with you wherever night goes.
Ingredients: ginger beer, vodka, lime juice
Maybe your party has moved beyond the traditional holidays and on to New Year’s. What better way to ring in 2021 than with a Midnight Moscow Mule. Champagne might be traditional go to, but if you want to mix it up just to bring some good luck to the new year, try going with this delicious drink that will renew your passion for ginger beer as we wave goodbye to the garbage fire that was 2020.
Ingredients: white/red sanding sugar, vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, fresh lime juice, fresh cranberries
A festive twist on a barstool staple, a Santa Claus Cosmo is what happens when a regular cosmo crashes the North Pole holiday party. Whether you adorn your drink with a peppermint twist in the form of a candy cane garnish or not completely up to you, and after one or two, you’ll be feeling a bit holly and jolly yourself.
Ingredients: sparkling wine, clear rum, sugar, mint leave, lime juice
We’ve mostly strayed away from Champagne so far, but the truth is that it’s not really a holiday party if champagne isn’t around somewhere. Think outside the box this season by turning your regular champagne into a chilly winter wonderland. The Winter Wine Mojito might sound cold, but it’s sure to heat up any occasion that you break it out for.
Ingredients: hot chocolate, Baileys Irish Cream, whipped cream
It’s not an adult party without taking a childhood favorite and ramping it up to make it a little naughty, so if you’re looking to get nostalgic, bust out some spiked hot chocolates. The best part of this drink is that you can choose any old mix-in hot chocolate packet: the real star here is that sweet and smooth Baileys that can warm you up in no time. Grandma never made hot chocolate like this.
Ingredients: Rumchata, eggnog, cinnamon
The easiest drink on this list to make. No measuring, no garnishes, no extra work. Just pour in equal amounts of Rumchata and eggnog, and then you are in business. Add a little cinnamon to liven up the drink a bit, or don’t, because that rumchata is gonna spice it up all on its own. This is also a great stealth cocktail to make if you’re at a traditional party with regular eggnog. Slip in some Rumchata and feel yourself get more and more festive with every sip.
Ingredients: cherry Jello, lime Jello, vodka
With a little bit of prep time and a on-point color scheme, you too can be hostess with the mostest. Jello shots are novelties, usually the domain of tailgates and Jean Ralphio references, but they always liven up the party when they are busted out. The holiday season is ripe with novelty anyway, so lean into it with these shooters.
Ingredients: Blue Curacao, rum, lime juice
We can’t leave out our Jewish brothers and sisters during the holiday season. Gather together some of the more lenient believers and mix them into the party with this mixed drink. Classy and kosher, celebrate the season of giving by giving your friends a reason to celebrate every holiday this winter. Spin the dreidel, and try not get the spins yourself, by downing a few Dreidel Daiquiris. L’chaim!
Ingredients: sugar, cinnamon, orange/lemon zest, various fruit juices, spiced rum, Grand Marnier, Amaretto, sparkling water
No we’re not talking about jungle juice, that mysterious stew of whatever alcohol happens to be on the sorority house’s shelf half an hour before the party. We’re talking about jingle juice, the fruity mix of rum and Grand Marnier that complements any and all holiday festivities. A party starter, jingle juice will ring the bells in your head all night.
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