6 Festive Cocktails for Christmas

by Robert Giles

The holidays call for festive cocktails that surprise and delight your guests. Below are six delicious Christmas Cocktail recipes perfect for the season.

Sugar Cookie Martini

For the Martini

• ½ cup whole milk
• ¼ cup Baileys Irish Cream
• 2 oz. Absolut Vanilla Vodka
• 2 oz. Disaronno Amaretto
• ice

For the Rim

• ½ cup vanilla frosting (canned)
• ¼ cup sprinkles plus 1 tsp. divided
• pre-made sugar cookie dough*

DIRECTIONS

Using an offset spatula, spread a thin layer of frosting onto rim of two martini glasses. Pour ¼ cup sprinkles onto a small plate then dip rims in sprinkles to coat. In a cocktail shaker, combine milk, Baileys, vodka, and amaretto. Add ice and shake until cold. Pour into glasses and garnish with a cookie (optional).

*Optional: fun-shaped sugar cookie garnish.

Moscow Reindeer Mule

• handful of fresh mint or peppermint
• 2 oz. Tito’s Vodka
• juice of ½ lime
• 6 oz. ginger beer (more / less to taste)
• crushed ice
• Garnish: crushed & whole candy cane

DIRECTIONS

Place handful of mint and the vodka in a copper mug. Muddle. Fill mug with crushed ice. Stir in lime juice then top with ginger beer. Sprinkle crushed candy cane on top and garnish with a whole candy cane.

CranMerry Cocktail

• ¾ cup cranberry juice
• 1 oz. vodka
• splash of Ginger Ale
• cranberries for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Mix together the cranberry juice and vodka. Pour into a shaker with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Top off with ginger ale and garnish with cranberries.

Adult Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Yield: Serves 2

• 2 cups milk
• ½ cup hot chocolate mix
• ¼ cup peppermint schnapps, plus more as needed
• Toppings: whipped cream & sprinkles

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan, heat 2 cups of milk over medium heat, just until steamy (about 5 minutes). Once milk starts to steam, whisk in hot chocolate mix. Continue cooking two to three minutes, or until hot chocolate is desired temperature. Do not boil. Remove from heat and whisk in ¼ cup peppermint schnapps. Add more if desired. Ladle mixture into glasses, and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Mulled Wine

• dry red wine – Silk & Spice Red Blend recommended
• 1 orange, zested & juiced
• ¼ cup brandy – St Remy recommended
• ¼ cup honey
• 8 cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise

DIRECTIONS

Combine wine, honey, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, juice, cloves and star anise in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Pour into mugs, garnish with orange peel and serve.

Hot Buttered Rum

• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. grated nutmeg
• pinch ground cloves
• pinch salt
• dark spiced rum —The Kraken or Captain Morgan Spiced Rum recommended
• boiling water

DIRECTIONS

In a bowl, cream together butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Refrigerate until almost firm. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture into small mug. Pour about 3 ounces of rum into mug (filling about halfway). Top with boiling water (to fill the remaining half), stir well, and serve immediately.

These recipes can help with planning that next holiday get together! If you need more ideas, or would like help upsizing your favorite cocktail to batch size, you can always ask any of our celebration experts. Cheers!