Regardless of what kind of holiday party you throw this winter–whether it’s a large work shindig complete with decorations and present exchanges,or a private and more intimate gathering for your friends and family–it’s important to set the right mood for the season.
Get help withthese eight holiday drinks that’ll be sure to add some additional cheer and exuberance to the occasion.
1. Candy Cane co*cktail
These peppermint classicsare a standard treat this time of year. Indulge your inner-childwith this titillating co*cktail that features vodka infused candy canes, a vibrant color, and (what else?) chocolate! This is a mixed drink thatis sure to make your holiday parties even sweeter!
A few tips: many believe in the importance of a mid to high-grade vodka for this recipe. It’s generally agreed that a low quality vodka won’t turn out as well, no matter how many candy canes you add. It’s up to you how much candy you want to add to your infusion. And even though mini-candy canes are recommended, this is just because they’re easier to crush up. Feel free to use the full sized too!
Ingredients:
- 24 ounces (3 cups) of vodka
- 45-60miniature candy canes
- Chocolate syrup
- Ice
- 12 ounces of peppermint schnapps
Infused Vodka Instructions:
Pour the 3 cups of vodka into a glass mason jar, and add however many crushed up candy canes you’d like. The finer you grind the candy up, the more can fit into the jar. Next, close the jar and let the candy canes and vodka mixture sit for at least 10 to 12 hours. The longer you let the mixture sit though, the more the candy will dissolve; if you wait long enough, the canes will completely dissolve and you won’t have to use a strainer before serving. It’s recommended to shake the jar every few hours to help dissolve the candy canes and infuse the vodka.
Before serving, pour chocolate syrup onto a plate. Crush up the remaining candy canes on another plate. Dip the rims of your co*cktail glasses into the chocolate syrup and then immediately onto the plate with the crushed candy canes for a delightful sugary rim.
Once your vodka is ready, pour the candy cane infused concoction from the jar into a shaker with ice, add the schnapps and shake vigorously for about a minute. Pour the vodka mixture into your colorful co*cktail glasses, and add a squirt of chocolate into the glasses as a tasty garnish. The whole 3 cups of vodka can last quite a while. If you use the whole mason jar and the 12 0z of schnapps you canserve up to 20 guests!
2. The Grinch
There isn’t a Who in Whoville who can deny this tasty Dr. Seuss inspired co*cktail. This drink is sure to bring back memories of hearing and watching the classic ’66 cartoon, as well as help get you into some holiday mischief of your own. Max out your holiday fun by fixing up a batch of this too-easy to make mixture. It might not make your heart three sizes larger, but it’ll definitely help infuse your winter parties with healthy dose of Christmascheer.
Ingredients:
- 18 ounces of vodka
- 6 ounces of melon flavored liqueur
- 6 ounces of orange flavored liqueur
- 6 ounces of sweet and sour mix
- Candy canes
Pour all ingredients into a co*cktail shaker with ice cubes or crushed ice. Shake vigorously for 1 minute. Strain and pour into co*cktail glasses. Hook a candy cane onto each glass for garnish. Serves 6.
3. Chai Toddy
The hot toddy is a staple during the colder months. Chai tea is more popular than ever. It makes perfect sense to combine these two classics and make something new, exciting, and familiar all at once. This drink is bound to be a holiday favorite for those prefer something warm and soothing.
Ingredients:
- 6 parts chai tea concentrate
- 6 parts whole milk, can substitute low fat, almond milk or soy milk
- 6 whole star anise
- 6 ounces of cognac or brandy
- 6 ounces of butterscotch schnapps
- 3 graham crackers, crushed
Simmer chai tea and milk in a pot over medium heat. Remove pot from heat. Pour brandy and butterscotch liqueur into 6 mugs. Pour heated chai tea mixture into the mugs. Stir and sprinkle lightly with crushed graham crackers and add the star anise as a delightful garnish. Serves 6.
4. Winter Fresh Whiskey Sours
No holiday party is perfect without this classic favorite with a twist. And you want your party to be perfect don’t you? Avoid adding the egg white to this standard, and get some real bourbon if you and you’re guests are feeling particularly classy.
Ingredients:
- 6ounces of whiskey
- ½ cup of lemon juice
- ½ cup of lime juice
- Maraschino cherries
- Candy canes
- 2/3 cup ofsimple syrup*
*You can even make your own if you’re feeling real DIY.Mix 1 cup of sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Chill for 20 minutes before using.
Pour whiskey, lemon juice, lime juice and sugar syrup into a co*cktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for 30 seconds, with much gusto and holiday cheer. Pour co*cktail mix into your favorite glassware and add a maraschino cherry and candy cane to each one. Serves 4.
5. Angel’s Delight
This co*cktail is the perfect complement to any dessert or holiday party foods. Its bright pink color is bound to be a hit, while a surprising depth offlavors adds some excitement to the menu. Try to be exact with the creammeasurements though. An abundance of the stuff can ruin this wonderfully simple co*cktail.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces of cream
- 3 ounces of triple sec
- 3 ounces of gin
- Grenadine
Fill shaker with ice, cream, triple sec, gin and 8 to 12 dashes of grenadine, depending on how pinkyou’re feeling. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain and pour, with great ceremony, into chilled co*cktail glasses. Serves 4.
6. Christmas Jones
In honor of the 90s James Bond flickThe World is Not Enough,this drink is an homage to thefamously named Christmas Jones, played by Denise Richards.
Also, it contains a ton of fruit and comes out a vibrant crimson color. This holiday favorite will surely get you ready for Santa’s arrival and Christmas morning.
Ingredients:
- 8 fresh strawberries
- 6 ounces of vodka
- 6 teaspoons of powdered sugar
- 9 ounces of pineapple juice
- Lemon-lime soda
- Mint leaves
Blend vodka, strawberries, pineapple juice and sugar together. Divide and pour mixture evenly into 4 tall co*cktail glasses. Add a splash of lemon-lime soda to top each glass off. Garnish each glass with a mint leaf. Serves 4.
7. Spiced Coffee
You need more than just one hot holiday liquidthis winter. This drink is perfect for anyone that wants to enjoy something that will revitalize their energy for the festivities. It’s the perfect post-dinner treat that will make sure to keep conversations spirited and going long into the night.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup of ground coffee
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves
- ¼ cup of orange marmalade
- Sugar
- Cinnamon sticks
- 3 cups of cold water
Add ground coffee, cloves and ground cinnamon into a coffee filter and place into the brew basket. Pour the orange marmalade into an empty coffee pot. Add water to your coffee maker and brew the coffee. Once the coffee has finished brewing, stir to blend. Pour coffee into mugs and top with cinnamon and sugar. This recipe will serve four people.
8. English Christmas Punch
English Christmas punch is a great drink for wine lovers and is sure to bring about a new appreciation for this amazing pairing of wine, tea, and rum. And of course, it’s served warm, so it’ll definitely be hit these coming winter months.
For those entertaining that truly want to go above and beyond, and really ‘WOW’ their guests, there is a preparation that involves lighting the rum on fire! If you do go the whole nine yards for this flamboyant co*cktail, maybe put the kids to bed first.
Ingredients:
- 1 750 ml bottle of dark rum
- 1 750 ml bottle of red wine, preferably dry
- 3 cups of strongly brewed tea
- 2 cups of sugar
- ½ cups of orange juice
- 1/ cup of lemon juice
- Seasonal fruits such as lemons, lime, cherries and cranberries for garnish
Directions using flame:
Heat wine, tea, lemon juice and orange juice in a saucepan. Pour hot mixture into a heat-proof punch bowl. Fill a large ladle with sugar and pour remaining sugar into the punch bowl. Pour rum over the ladle to saturate the sugar. Light the rum and sugar mixture in the ladle and then pour it into the punch bowl while it is aflame. Stir the punch well to extinguish the flames and mix properly. Pour remaining rum into the punch bowl and stir well. Add seasonal fruits to garnish. Best served warm. Serves 27.
Directions without flame:
Mix all ingredients into a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour hot mixture into heat-proof punch bowl and add seasonal fruits for garnish. Best when served warm. Serves 27.
Learn More:
- 5 Must-Try Margarita Recipes
- Holiday Gifts Ideas for Everyone In Your Life
- 10 Appliances That Make Holiday Entertaining Easier
- 12 Red Appliances to Help Brighten Up Your Kitchen
