Christmas cocktails are quite simply a must during the festive season, helping you party in style but also adding some extra sparkle to the celebrations.
Whether it is for Christmas Day itself, a New Year’s Eve party or even just a fancy tipple in the run-up to Christmas, festive cocktails will help make your day even more special.
We also know more of you will be spending the festive season at home this year thanks to the pandemic, but that shouldn’t stop you enjoying a cocktail or two, or three!
Just bring the magic of your favourite bar into your home.
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Keep your glasses topped up then with these tasty Christmas cocktail recipes, which are not only scrumptious, but are also quick and easy to make at home.
We also ensured there is something for everyone on this list too, so all of your friends and family can enjoy a Christmas cocktail or two.
With all that said, forget ‘Santa baby’ it’s time to shake, shake, shake baby. Here are our five favourite recipes.
Snowball
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Where better to start than with a classic snowball, arguably one of the best Christmas cocktails.
An iconic retro drink which you don’t even need a cocktail shaker for, why not indulge in some nostalgia this Christmas. Advocaat at the ready people!
Ingredients
50ml advocaat
15ml lime juice
50ml lemonade
Maraschino cherry for garnish (optional)
Recipe
1. Fill a tall glass with ice… or whichever glass you can find in the cupboard.
2. Pour in your lime juice, or lemon juice if you prefer that. Can add more or less depending upon your taste.
3. Then pour in the advocaat and the lemonade over the ice. Stir gently until the glass starts feeling cold on the outside.
4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry if you are feeling fancy. Sip away and enjoy.
Christmas Punch
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If you are spending the festive season with friends or family, then a bowl of punch is ideal to ensure the alcohol is flowing all night long, without the need to continually head to the drinks cupboard.
This Christmas punch recipe is flavoured with seasonal ingredients of course, but the best thing about it is you can personalise it however you like, suiting your taste buds or whatever is in the house.
Ingredients
Bottle of prosecco
1l apple juice
50ml liquor (something herbal like Jagermeister is ideal)
250ml sloe gin
A clementine or orange (finely sliced)
Red grapes
Sprigs of rosemary
Stem ginger (finally sliced)
Recipe
1. Well since this is a bowl of punch the recipe is easy. Grab a big bowl and whack all of the ingredients in, stirring until combined.
2. Add plenty of ice and voila – you are ready to go!
Mulled Wine
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If a bowl of punch isn’t to your fancy, then a crock of mulled wine might be what you are looking for.
Like with the punch, you can make a big batch of this to keep you and your friends and family going all night.
And again you can personalise this recipe, adding in spices and fruit of your choosing.
Also a top tip: it really is worth going for a good quality red wine as trust us when we say you can taste the difference.
Ingredients
Bottle of red wine
100ml sloe gin
Cinnamon sticks
Stem ginger (finely sliced)
Clementine or orange (finely sliced)
A couple of star anise
Zest of a lemon
4tbsp caster sugar
Recipe
1. Pour the wine into a large saucepan and add in the rest of the ingredients except for the sloe gin.
2. Cook on a low heat for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from heat and leave to cool for at least 30 minutes allowing it to infuse.
4. When ready to serve, put back on heat and stir in the sloe gin. Pour into mugs and enjoy.
Eggnog
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Okay so we know eggnog isn’t for everyone, but it is a Christmas tradition so we couldn’t not include it on our list of the best Christmas cocktails.
But if you do fancy some eggnog, this recipe makes a batch of it which will last in the fridge for a day. Lovely stuff.
Ingredients
150ml brandy
4 large eggs
500ml whole milk
1tsp vanilla extract (add more if you wish)
100ml sugar syrup
100ml double cream
Recipe
1. Separate the four eggs. Keep the yolks in one big bowl with the whites aside to use later.
2. Add in the vanilla extract and sugar syrup into the bowl with the egg yolks. Beat with an electric whisk until the mixture is pale.
3. Pour in the cream, milk and most importantly, the brandy. Beat again until combined.
4. Strain the mixture into another big bowl.
5. Moving on the egg whites, beat these with a whisk until they form soft peaks.
6. Gently fold in the egg whites into the mixture a third at a time. The mixture should then be fluffy and smooth.
7. Chill until ready to serve. And just before serving, add plenty of ice and stir gently.
Festive Martini
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The best thing about classic drinks such as the martini is all you need is as added twist to make it a Christmas cocktail.
Which is exactly what we have done here which has a chocolate and raspberry flavour – perfect for the festive season.
Ingredients
60ml vodka or gin
1tbsp dry vermouth
25ml Chambord
25ml cocoa liquor
Lemon peel for garnish
Sprig of rosemary for garnish
Recipe
1. Pour a handful of ice into your cocktail shaker along with the liquid ingredients. Shake, shake baby!
2. Leaving the ice behind, strain the mixture into a martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel and rosemary. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
