6 Festive Cocktails to Bring In the Season

When I think of Christmas, the first thing that comes to mind is the numerous parties: the office party, family gatherings, and occasional friend meet-ups. Along with good food and company, drinks can often make a party livelier. If you’re bored with your usual alcohol, switch things up this year and try out these festive cocktails to bring some old-fashioned cheer to any crowd.

Make your parties extra special this year with these holiday-themed cocktails:

Christmas Punch

Hosting this year’s Christmas party? Don’t fret and try a Christmas punch this year to level up any gathering! Erin Clarke says keeping a bowl of punch at a party is not only great for crowd control but adds the holiday sparkle you need to level up any gathering.

A Christmas Punch takes minutes to make and keeps the conversation flowing among family and friends. It’s a sweet and refreshing drink for everyone to enjoy.

CHRISTMAS PUNCH INGREDIENTS

1 large bag of ice
5 cups 100% cranberry juice (with other fruit blends)
2 bottles of very dry sparkling wine (750 ml bottles)
2 cups apple cider
1 1/2 cups diet ginger ale
1 1/2 cups dark rum or brandy
2 oranges (sliced)
1 cup fresh cranberries

Make sure that all of your ingredients are chilled beforehand. Fill the punch bowl or pitcher with ice. Add all of the ingredients excluding the fruits. Give it a quick stir then garnish with oranges and cranberries on top!

If you don’t want your Christmas punch to be too tart, look for cranberry juice with a blend of other fruits such as apple or orange. If you find your drink to be still too tart for your taste, you can sweeten your punch with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of simple syrup.

Sparkling Winter Berry Cocktail

For a more intimate party, try mixing a Winterberry cocktail to impress any guest!

This cocktail is smoky and brings out winter flavors in one sip. It’s a no-fuss beverage that you can whip up in ten minutes in the kitchen – enough time to still enjoy the party. It’s the perfect addition to your holiday menu.

SPARKLING WINTERBERRY COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS

4 cups (1 L) cranberry juice
2 cups (1/2 L) apple juice
1/3 cup of strawberry-flavored syrup
3/4 to 4 cups (1 L) champagne or any sparkling drink of your choice
Fresh or frozen cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries for garnish
Water and sugar for rimming the glasses (optional)

Add the cranberry juice, apple juice, and strawberry syrup to a large pitcher. Stir well until combined. Prepare the cocktail glasses by moistening them with water and rolling the rim in sugar. Fill each glass half-full with juice and top with fresh fruit. Top the glass with the sparkling drink and your winterberry cocktail is ready!

Peppermint Martini

If you like your festive cocktails with an extra kick, try having a peppermint martini! It’s the perfect cool and creamy drink for cold nights and warm conversations.

PEPPERMINT MARTINI INGREDIENTS

Ice
1 oz peppermint vodka
2 oz coffee liquor
1/2 cup milk
2 crushed candy canes for garnish
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp sugar

First, prepare the glass. Crush the candy canes by putting them in a sealed plastic bag and pound them using a skillet or rolling pin. Mix the sugar and water and dip the rim of the glass. Coat the rim with the crushed candy cane.

For this drink, you’ll need a cocktail mixer. Fill the cocktail mixer with two-thirds full of ice. Add the peppermint vodka, coffee liquor, and milk. Shake until chilled and well-mixed. After straining into the martini glasses, you can enjoy your peppermint martini and enjoy the cool holiday night!

White Christmas Margarita

Are you dreaming of a White Christmas this year? An essential drink to try this holiday season is the White Christmas margarita. This drink is creamy and sweet from coconut milk and gets its alcohol kick from silver tequila.

WHITE CHRISTMAS MARGARITA INGREDIENTS

10 oz silver tequila
8 oz Grand Marnier
8 oz lime juice
8 oz coconut water
8 oz canned coconut milk
6 oz coconut cream
6 oz coconut rum
6 oz simple syrup
1 tsp coconut extract (optional)
Sprigs of rosemary or cranberries for garnish
Ice

Mix all the ingredients well in a large pitcher. You can add the coconut extract for more flavor or add more simple syrup if you want more sweetness in your drink. Add in the ice and serve your drinks for your party.

Cranberry Mimosa

If you’re hosting a brunch or early lunch, get your afternoon buzz with this sweet holiday drink! A cranberry mimosa is the perfect late-afternoon drink and is best enjoyed with good company.

This drink is perfectly balanced with the sweet cranberry flavor and tangy orange flavor. Topped with champagne, your guests will certainly enjoy this chill drink under the warm afternoon sun!

CRANBERRY MIMOSA INGREDIENTS

1 lime (halved)
2 tbsps sugar
1 cup sweetened cranberry juice
1 bottle of your fave champagne
12 fresh cranberries for garnish
4 sprigs of rosemary for garnish

Prepare your champagne glasses by lining them with lime and dipping the rims in sugar. Pour 1/4 cup of cranberry juice and top with champagne for each glass. Use a toothpick to poke a hole through the cranberries and thread the rosemary. Garnish your drinks and serve.

Sugar Cookie Martini

Got a sweet tooth? Try this sweet festive cocktail to satisfy your cookie craving! The Sugar Cookie Martini has a sweet and delicate vanilla flavor with an alcoholic kick to spice up any party.

SUGAR COOKIE MARTINI INGREDIENTS

1 and 1/2 oz vanilla vodka
1 and 1/2 Irish cream
2 oz whole milk
1 oz amaretto
1 tsp powdered sugar
Ice
Vanilla frosting and sprinkles for garnish

Make this adorable drink by prepping your glass. Add the frosting to the rim of your glass and then roll the rim in sprinkles. Set aside. In a cocktail mixer, add the rest of the ingredients and mix for at least 15 seconds. After your drink is chilled, pour it into your prepared glass and enjoy.