Nothing puts me in the holiday spirit faster than twinkling lights, Christmas music and colorful cocktails for a festive celebration with family and friends. It's the best time of year to get creative in the kitchen (and the bar!) to show off your culinary skills with the gift of a cozy meal paired with delicious libations.
So, whether you're serving spiked eggnog, mulled wine, peppermint hot cocoa, or a champagne punch, guests are guaranteed to be impressed when you bring out this dazzling array of holiday goodies at your next party.
The Grinch
This colorful cocktail recipe has been around for a long time and there are many versions of it, but this is my favorite for parties.
Serves 1
1.5 ounces Midori liqueur
1.5 ounces white rum
4-5 ounces lemon-lime soda
1 maraschino cherry
Optional: green-colored sugar
If using green sugar, first wet the rim of a lowball glass with water, then dip it in the sugar. Fill the glass halfway with ice. Add Midori, rum, and then the soda. Stir and top with a cherry.
Kris Kringle Cocktail
What's not to love about a drink named after Old Saint Nick that leaves visions of sugar plums dancing in your head?
Serves 1
4 ounces sweetened cranberry juice (if you only have unsweetened juice, add a splash of simple syrup)
1 ounce peach Schnapps
2 ounces vodka
Optional: fresh cranberries and a twist of orange
Place juice, Schnapps, and vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold, then pour into a glass that has been filled halfway with ice. Top with a few cranberries and a thin wedge of orange layered on a small skewer.
Hanukkah Martini
Light the menorah and serve your guests one of these pretty blue drinks before diving into the brisket and kugel!
Serves 1
2 ounces gin
1 ounce sweet vermouth
1/2 ounce blue Curaçao
Splash of ginger ale
Optional: blueberries for topping
Mix gin, dry vermouth, and blue Curaçao in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold. Pour liquor into a chilled martini glass, then add a splash of ginger ale. Top with several blueberries on a small skewer.
Mrs. Claus Cocktail
Serves 1
This creamy, decadent cocktail comes from KJ & Company and is a huge crowd-pleaser since it's so colorful and festive with its crushed candy canes as a topping.
1 cup eggnog, chilled
1.5 ounces white chocolate liqueur
1 tablespoon peppermint Schnapps
Whipped cream for garnish
Crushed candy canes for garnish
Pour cold eggnog, chocolate liqueur, and Schnapps into a glass and stir until well combined. Add a dollop of whipped cream, then sprinkle the crushed candy cane on top and serve.
Kir Royale
Serves 1
Champagne is an absolute must for ringing in the New Year, and there are so many ways to jazz it up for a party. Kir Royales are elegant drinks that have been around for many years and are a favorite to serve once the clock strikes midnight. Blackcurrant liqueur adds so much yumminess to the champagne, but if you can't find creme de cassis, you can use Chambord (a raspberry-flavored liqueur), which is just as delicious.
1 tablespoons creme de cassis (or Chambord)
6 ounces of chilled champagne
Twist of lemon
Add the tablespoon of creme de cassis to the bottom of a champagne flute. Next, add the champagne, then top with a thin sliver of lemon and serve cold. The key to a successful holiday party starts with the guest list—but a clever concoction doesn’t hurt either! Serve these along with tasty dishes and your friends will be clamoring for the next party invite!
What's your favorite drink to drink over the holidays? Let us know in the comments below.
