Christmas Cocktails For Everyone At Your Holiday Party
With December 25 less than one week away, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Fire places are lit, stockings have been hung, and Christmas trees have been decorated. And let's not forget about those beautifully wrapped presents tucked underneath those picturesque pines (via Hello Giggles). While there's so much to love about the holiday season from neighborhood caroling and baking sugar cookies to skiing and snowball fights, holiday parties with friends and family are a definite highlight. The key to hosting a successful holiday party? A signature Christmas cocktail.
Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit quite like some jingle juice. Whether you prefer your winter beverages hot or cold, icy or creamy, we've prepared an epic round-up of Christmas cocktails perfect for office parties and family gatherings alike. From cozy hot toddies to decadent sangria, here are some festive drinks to help you unwind from the pressure of the holiday season and celebrate in style. Let's get into these holiday spirits!
Hot Toddy with Charred Oranges
Blending together bourbon and honey, cinnamon and thyme, this warming drink is a Christmas classic for a reason. No one can deny that Hot Toddies are the perfect drink for frosty nights around the fire or cuddled up on the couch in front of a Christmas movie. But to take this winter staple from simply cozy to festively fancy, we recommend adding some charred oranges to the mix.
According to Country Living, start by mixing together 1 1/2 cups of bourbon, 3/4 cups of pure honey, 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, and 2 cups of water in a medium sized sauce pan. Take note: this drink is perfect for four people, so double or triple the quantities of this recipe accordingly. Keep your beverage brewing for about 10 to 15 minutes or until it starts to warm. Next, take four small oranges and cut them in half. Take the orange halves and place each one a metal skewer. Then proceed to grill the orange halves on an open flame for about 1 to 2 minutes. If your oranges have a nice char to them, remove the fruit from the grill and use them to garnish each one of your drinks. If it's extra blustery outside, skip the grill and place the oranges on a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Use the baking sheet to broil the oranges, cut sides up, for about 2 to 3 minutes or until charred.
Pomegranate Mimosas
No holiday brunch is complete without a mimosa. And while this morning drink is already delicious in its own right, every cocktail deserves a seasonal update. Rather than preparing the traditional version of this breakfast beverage, put a festive spin on this cocktail by preparing pomegranate mimosas. Make sure to match the deep red of your mimosa with your holiday outfit for some stunning photo opportunities!
According to Delish, start by filling champagne flutes with 1/4 cup of sweetened pomegranate juice. Top the rest of the flute off with champagne and garnish each drink with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds. The best part about this drink? It only takes about 5 minutes to make giving you plenty of time to focus on your cinnamon rolls or gourmet French toast. Delish recommends purchasing one bottle of champagne for a group of four, so take this estimate and plan accordingly. Happy brunching!
Mistletoe Margaritas
If you are looking for a tequila-based beverage, you can never go wrong with a margarita. With the sweetness of the agave, the bitterness of the tequila, the sourness of the limes, and the salty rim of the glass, margaritas are everything you need in a cocktail and then some. To put a wintery touch on this classic cocktail, we recommend whipping up of a batch of Mistletoe Margaritas. The secret ingredient for this Christmas concoction? Your favorite winter berry: cranberries.
According to Delish, start by tossing together 1/2 a cup of whole cranberries with 1 tablespoon of lime juice. After draining out the lime juice from your mixture, mix in 2 tablespoons of sugar that's been taken from a 1/4 cup portion of sugar. Lay out on a baking sheet until dry.
On a separate plate, mix together 2 tablespoons of salt with the rest of your sugar. After wetting each one of your glasses with a lime wedge, dip the top of each glass into your sugary salty mixture. Finally, pour 2 cups of cranberry juice, 12 ounces of silver tequila, 8 ounces of triple sec, 1/2 cup of lime juice, and 12 cups of ice into a large blender. Once your drink is ready to go, finish each cup with a sprig of mint. Voila! This frosty drink is now ready to serve a party of 8.
Winter Sangria
It's always sangria season, but nothing beats a glass of this wine-centric beverage in the winter. To winterize this festive drink, Woman's Day has come with the perfect cocktail combo that tastes like a blend of mulled wine and sangria. The best part? This fruity cocktail will pair beautifully with all of your holiday decor.
To begin your winter sangria journey, start by simmering 4 cups of red wine, 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/2 cinnamon stick in a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat. The cinnamon stick can also be substituted with 1/2 a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. After the sugar is no longer visible, pour your concoction into a pitcher to let it chill. Add in a 1/2 cup of grand mariner (or Triple Sec), 3 clementines (each one should be sliced into pieces), and 2 Bartlett pears (also sliced). Let your brew sit for at least 15 minutes. If you are making your cocktail ahead of time, it can also sit in your fridge for as long as 3 days. When serving time rolls around, blend in 2 cups of blackberry or black cherry soda before serving it on the rocks!
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
On a particularly frosty night, preparing a spiked hot chocolate for your party guests is the way to go. While there are so many ways to artfully add alcohol to hot chocolate, whether it's with spiced rum or vodka, Town and Country's peppermint hot chocolate is guaranteed to be a definite crowd pleaser. This warm and comforting beverage perfectly captures the essence of a snow day in a cup. Whether you are hosting a holiday party this year or not, whip up a batch of this for your friends and family to sip on around the fire. Trust us, your loved ones will thank you later.
Start by heating .25 ounces of peppermint schnapps, .5 ounces of Godiva chocolate liqueur, and 1 cup of hot chocolate on a pan. The recipe yields one delicious mug, so multiply as many times as necessary. Once the mixture is warm, distribute it between each glass. Finish each drink with whip cream and crushed candy canes. Does that sound like a cocktail that sleighs or what?