Holiday Drink Recipes: Festive Holiday Cocktails and Mocktails
Using seasonal ingredients like cranberries, peppermint, and cinnamon.
Introduction
The holiday season is a time for festive gatherings, delicious food, and of course, delightful drinks to toast with. Whether you prefer a rich, warming cocktail or a refreshing mocktail, there’s something for everyone.
And what better way to celebrate the season than by using seasonal ingredients like cranberries, peppermint, and cinnamon, and supporting local breweries and distilleries that offer special holiday releases?
Let’s start with some holiday cocktail recipes that are sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
Cranberry Mule:
A refreshing twist on the classic Moscow Mule. To make it, you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz lime juice
- Ginger beer
- Fresh cranberries and lime slices for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a copper mug with ice.
- Add the vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice, and stir.
- Top with ginger beer and garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime slice.
Peppermint Martini:
A festive and delicious drink that’s perfect for the holiday season. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vanilla vodka
- 1 oz peppermint schnapps
- 1 oz white crème de cacao
- Crushed peppermint candies for garnish
Instructions:
- Rim a martini glass with crushed peppermint candies.
- In a shaker filled with ice, combine the vodka, peppermint schnapps, and crème de cacao.
- Shakewellandstrainintothepreparedglass.
Cinnamon Old Fashioned:
A warming and flavorful cocktail that’s perfect for sipping by the fire. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz cinnamon simple syrup
- 2 dashes bitters
- Orange slice and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions:
- In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, cinnamon simple syrup, and bitters.
- Add ice and stir until well chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.
Christmas Punch:
- 4 cups cranberry juice
- 4 cups pineapple juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 liter ginger ale
- 1 cup vodka (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Orange slices and fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
Mix together the cranberry juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, ginger ale, and vodka (if using) in a large punch bowl. Add ice cubes and garnish with orange slices and fresh cranberries.
Mulled Wine:
- 1 bottle red wine
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6-8 whole cloves
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a large pot and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Serve warm.
Non-Alcoholic Options:
we have some delicious holiday mocktail recipes.
Cranberry Sparkler:
A refreshing and festive drink that’s perfect for toasting to the season. Here’s what you’ll need: Ingredients:
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz lime juice
- Club soda
- Fresh cranberries and lime slices for garnish
Instructions:
- Fillaglasswithice.
- Add the cranberry juice and lime juice, and stir.
- Top with club soda and garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime slice.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate:
A rich and creamy drink that’s perfect for warming up on a cold winter’s night. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
- Whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies for garnish
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it’s hot but not boiling.
- In a bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar, then add to the milk, whisking until well combined.
- Remove from heat and stir in the peppermint extract.
- Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies.
Cinnamon Apple Cider:
A warm and comforting drink that’s perfect for sipping by the fire. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups apple cider
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish
Instructions:
- Inasaucepan,combinetheapplecider,cinnamonsticks,groundcinnamon,and ground nutmeg.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain.
- Pour into mugs and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
Eggnog
- 4 cups milk
- 5 whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 12 egg yolks
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 1/2 cups light rum
- 4 cups light cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions:
Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over low heat slowly bring to a boil. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture back into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
In Conclusion
The holiday season is a time for celebrating with loved ones, and what better way to do that than with a delicious drink in hand? Whether you prefer a festive cocktail or a non- alcoholic mocktail, these recipes are sure to be a hit. And don’t forget to support your local breweries and distilleries by trying out their special holiday releases. Cheers!
RESOURCES:
- Allrecipes (www.allrecipes.com)
- Food Network (www.foodnetwork.com)
- Liquor.com (www.liquor.com)
- CraftBeer.com (www.craftbeer.com)
- DistilleryTrail.com (www.distillerytrail.com) These websites have a variety of holiday drink recipes and information on breweries and distilleries that may have special holiday releases. You can also try searching for local breweries and distilleries in your area to see if they have any special holiday offerings.
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