Our 10 Favorite Holiday Cocktails

The holiday season is here, and there is no better way to celebrate than with some delicious and festive cocktails! Whether you're hosting a party or just want to unwind after a long day of holiday shopping, our ten favorite holiday cocktails are sure to bring joy to your gatherings.

1. Spiced Cranberry Mule

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka

  • 4 oz ginger beer

  • 2 oz cranberry juice

  • 1/2 oz lime juice

  • Fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a copper mug with ice.

  2. Add vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.

  3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.

  4. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

2. Eggnog Martini

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz eggnog

  • 1 oz vanilla vodka

  • 1 oz amaretto liqueur

  • Nutmeg for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a shaker with ice, combine eggnog, vanilla vodka, and amaretto.

  2. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.

  3. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

3. Peppermint White Russian

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka

  • 1 oz coffee liqueur

  • 2 oz peppermint schnapps

  • Crushed candy canes for rimming

Instructions:

  1. Rim a glass with crushed candy canes.

  2. Fill the glass with ice.

  3. In a shaker with ice, combine vodka, coffee liqueur, and peppermint schnapps.

  4. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.

4. Winter Wonderland Punch

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of sparkling wine

  • 2 cups cranberry juice

  • 1 cup orange juice

  • 1/2 cup triple sec

  • Cranberries and orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a punch bowl, combine sparkling wine, cranberry juice, orange juice, and triple sec.

  2. Stir gently.

  3. Garnish with cranberries and orange slices.

5. Cinnamon Maple Bourbon Smash

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz bourbon

  • 1 oz maple syrup

  • 1/2 oz lemon juice

  • Cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a shaker with ice, combine bourbon, maple syrup, and lemon juice.

  2. Shake well and strain into a glass with ice.

  3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

6. Gingerbread Manhattan

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz rye whiskey

  • 1 oz sweet vermouth

  • 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup

  • Maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing glass with ice, combine rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and gingerbread syrup.

  2. Stir well and strain into a chilled glass.

  3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

7. Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz pomegranate juice

  • 1/2 oz orange liqueur

  • Champagne or sparkling wine

  • Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a champagne flute, combine pomegranate juice and orange liqueur.

  2. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.

  3. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.

8. Cranberry Rosemary Sangria

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle red wine

  • 1 cup cranberry juice

  • 1/2 cup brandy

  • Orange slices, cranberries, and rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a pitcher, combine red wine, cranberry juice, and brandy.

  2. Add orange slices, cranberries, and rosemary sprigs.

  3. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

9. Hot Buttered Rum

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz dark rum

  • 1 tbsp spiced butter (butter mixed with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg)

  • Hot water

Instructions:

  1. In a mug, combine dark rum and spiced butter.

  2. Fill the mug with hot water and stir until the butter is melted.

10. Champagne Poinsettia

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz cranberry juice

  • 1/2 oz orange liqueur

  • Champagne or sparkling wine

  • Orange twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a champagne flute, combine cranberry juice and orange liqueur.

  2. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.

  3. Garnish with an orange twist.

These ten holiday cocktails are sure to bring joy to your festivities. Whether you prefer the classic flavors of eggnog or the refreshing kick of a mule, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Cheers to a season filled with good company and even better drinks. Happy Holidays Everyone!

Lars Kristiansen