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I’m sharing my 5 best co*cktail recipes and the different occasions that I would offer these festive co*cktails.
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5 Holiday co*cktails for 5 Holiday Events
When you’re having a holiday party, you’ll want to know how to make the perfect holiday co*cktail. When we entertain during the holiday season, we typically only offer a few beer options and a white and red wine along with a few non-alcoholic beverages. But I love to offer my guests a signature co*cktail as a welcome to our home drink.
It’s been my experience that most people will only want one and then switch to their preferred drink. That being said, you don’t need to spend a fortune on ingredients for a ton of drinks. I also only have one “special” drink per event.
I’m going to share some of my favorites and the occasions that I would serve them. If you want suggestions for clean, affordable wines I have a post in which I share my choices.
I also love a great charcuterie board for any type of entertaining. I share how to make a perfect boardHERE.
Holiday co*cktail Party
I think a martini is so fitting for a holiday co*cktail party. It’s a classic co*cktail that is easy to modify to make it a favorite holiday drink. Martinis are guaranteed to get everyone into the holiday spirit. I know that I sure love them 🙂 It’s probably my favorite co*cktail.
This is also a perfect co*cktail to ring in the new year.
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Cran-Raspberry Sparkling Martini
Festive Holiday Martini garnished with a rosemary sprig
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas co*cktail, christmas martini, Raspberry martini
Servings: 1 co*cktail
Calories:
Ingredients
- 1 oz champagne or prosecco
- 1-1/2 oz Raspberry Vodka
- 1/2 oz Cointreau
- 1 oz Cran-Raspberry co*cktail Juice
- 1 tblsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Pour champagne or prosecco into a martini glass
Shake remaining ingredients with ice in a co*cktail shaker and strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with sugared raspberries and fresh spring of rosemary
Notes
If you can’t find cran-raspberry juice, you can use cranberry juice co*cktail.
Making Sugared Cranberries & Raspberries
It’s really simple. Dip your fresh cranberries and raspberries into simple syrup, to coat. Then put your fruit into a bowl of sugar and gently toss the fruit to coat. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fruit from the bowl of sugar and let rest on a piece of parchment paper.
You can also put these on parchment paper on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for 1/2 hour to make fruit ice-cubes (sugared)
Casual Football Sunday Holiday Get-Together
I never thought I enjoyed bourbon and I’m not a huge beer fan. This boozy beverage was surprisingly yummy and something I would have again.
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Beer Infused Old-Fashion
A Great twist on the classic old-fashioned
Prep Time3 minutes mins
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: alcoholic drink, dark drink, old fashioned
Servings: 1 serving
Calories:
Ingredients
- 1 oz oatmeal stout I used Samual Smith
- 1-1/2 oz your choice of bourbon I use Woodford Reserve
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 3 dashes bitter
- orange peel & maraschino cherries
Instructions
Mix all in a tall glass with plenty of ice cubes. Garnish with cherries and orange peel.
Holiday Cookie Exchange
This co*cktail is perfect for an afternoon cookie exchange or holiday luncheon. It’s light on alcohol and calories. It would look beautiful in a punch bowl at your Christmas party
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Cran-Raspberry Wine Spritzer
An less-alcohol alternative
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: alcoholic drink, wine spritzer
Servings: 1 drink
Calories:
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Prosecco
- 1 ounces sparkling water
- 1 ounces cran-raspberry drink
Instructions
Pour over ice and garnish with raspberries
Ice Skating Party
If you’re having a winter holiday outdoor party, you want to have something that warms you from the inside out. This hot toddy-typeco*cktail will warm you up after an afternoon of skating.
A hot chocolate bar would be perfect for the younger crowd.
This is also perfect for a co*cktail to enjoy on a cozy night in front of the fireplace.
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Bailey’s Peppermint Coffee
A Hot co*cktail for the Holiday
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: alcoholic drink, coffee drink
Servings: 1 serving
Calories:
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 oz Baileys Irish Crem
- 5 oz coffee
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Crushed Peppermint candy or peppermint bark
Instructions
Brew coffee and add to cup with baileys
Whip cream until stiff – spoon the whipped cream on top of the coffee mixture
garnish with crushed peppermint or peppermint bark
Notes
Bailey’s and Coffee is a classic coffee co*cktail and this just takes this festive drink to the next level.
If you’re looking for some non-alcoholic coffee drink ideas, you can find themHERE
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is a big deal in our family and we really enjoy a long evening of eating, drinking, opening presents, and just having family fun.
This holiday twist on the classic Moscow mule is the best drink for a casual holiday party.
This co*cktail is perfect for our very special night!
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Raspberry Moscow Mule
Twist on the traditional Moscow Mule
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Moscow Mule
Servings: 1 serving
Calories:
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 oz vodka
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- juice from 1/2 of lime
Instructions
mix all ingredients in a copper mug and add ice
garnish with rosemary and sugared cranberries
What Do You Serve Your co*cktails In?
I love vintage!I collect all things vintageand I love to use my vintage glassware for entertaining. How beautiful is it to have a co*cktail in a stunning vintage Waterford Double Old Fashioned or an etched glass Fostoria Wine Glass?
If you have beautiful things, use them!
What is the point of having great things if you can’t enjoy them with great company?
I also have glassware from Dollar Tree and I treasure them too. Everything I have, I have because I love it and it serves a purpose. There is a place in my home for both the old and new.
Setting up a Bar for Holiday Parties
While you don’t need to include all of these items, here is a list of possible things to make the best Christmas co*cktails for your guests You know your friends and family so plan accordingly.
Wine & Spirits
- Red Wine
- White Wine
- Sparkling Wines
- Champagne
- Light Beer
- Regular Beerand/or IPA
- Rum
- Vodka
- Tequila
- Bourbon
- Whiskey
- Gin
Other Options
- Aperol
- Bailey’s Irish Cream
- Sweet Vermouth
- Dark Rum
- Amaretto
- Kahlua
Mixers
- Tonic Water
- Seltzer Water
- Orange Juice
- Cranberry Juice
- 7-Up
- co*ke
- Ginger Beer
- Ginger Ale
- apple cider
- pineapple juice
Garnishes
- Fresh lime juice
- lemon slices
- lime wedges
- Sugared Cranberries
- Rosemary Sprigs
- orange slices
- maraschino cherries
- raspberries
- pomegranate arils
- Fresh Mint
Other
- Plenty of Ice
- co*cktail Shaker
- Ice Bucket and Tongs,
- co*cktail Glassware
- Stir Sticks
- Cork Screw/Bottle Opener
Conclusion
Whether you are creating a special drink for a small gathering or planning a full-bar co*cktail party, I hope you find this helpful.
We are hosting a small dinner soon and I’m planning one signature, welcome co*cktail, and then we will have wine paired with each course of our meal. I will be sharing that with you.
Peace, Love, and Happy Holidays
I partnered up with some of my blogging friends with ideas to enjoy your favorite holiday co*cktails with the recipes below. You will find the links to appetizers, soup, and salad along with festive focaccia bread. Bon Appétit!
Renae – Peaco*ck Ridge Farm
The chill is in the air and that means it’s time to start thinking about delicious harvest salads for your Holiday Feasts! This festive salad recipe is easy to follow and perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner. Plus, it’s hearty enough to keep you satisfied all day long. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a tasty meal!
Cindy from Reinvented Delaware
This easy shrimp bisque instant pot recipe is the perfect starter for a special occasion or for any night of the week. Ingredients can be kept on hand so this delicious soup can be made in just 30 minutes!
Diane from South House Designs
Treat your guests to a delicious, focaccia Christmas tree. It’s festive focaccia bread art that’s perfect for any casual gathering. Grazing board, anyone?
Michele from Vintage Home Designs
This Christmas Tree Charcuterie board is so easy to put together. It’s very festive and perfect for any holiday get-together.
A great way to remember these recipes is to save them to your Pinterest boards. You can find the pin button in the top right corner of the photo below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest
