12 Christmas Cocktail Recipes to make the holidays more special. From the simple ice cube to the most indulgent chocolate martini to a non alcoholic delight, I got you covered. Here are 12 festive drinks recipes you need to try this December.
Day 1: Sugar Cookie Martini
Indulge in the flavours of a classic sugar cookie transformed into a cocktail. Shake Baileys, Disaronno, vodka, single cream, and a splash of vanilla essence with some ice. Garnish your glass with buttercream and festive sprinkles for a delightful treat reminiscent of sugar cookies.
Ingredients
- 50ml baileys or equivalent
- 50ml disaronno or any amaretto liqueur
- 25ml vodka
- 50ml single cream
- splash of vanilla essence
- Garnish: Buttercream/ butter frosting & Festive sprinkles and sparkle
Day 2: Cranberry & Orange Hot Toddy
This warm, comforting cocktail combines cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, spiced rum, cranberry sauce/jam, maple syrup, and a blend of aromatic spices. Simmer these ingredients together, pour into glasses, and garnish with an orange slice, sugared cranberry, and a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml cranberry juice
- 50 ml fresh orange juice
- 75 ml spiced rum
- 1 tsp cranberry sauce/jam
- maple syrup to sweeten (optional)
- star anise, cloves and cinnamon stick
- Garnish: orange slice, sugared cranberry and rosemary for garnishing
Day 3: Pomegranate Aperol Spritz
A refreshing twist on the classic Aperol Spritz, this version incorporates pomegranate juice. Combine Aperol, pomegranate juice, and top it off with Prosecco. Serve over ice and garnish with pomegranate seeds, rosemary, and a slice of orange for an elegant holiday drink.
Ingredients
- 50ml Aperol
- 50ml Pomegranate Juice
- Prosecco to top the drink
- Ice
- Garnish: Pomegranate seeds, Rosemary & Orange slice
Day 4: Candy Cane Martini
Experience the essence of the holidays with a Candy Cane Martini. Infuse vodka with candy canes for a delightful pink hue, mix it with Crème de Cacao, cream, and melted white chocolate. Garnish your glass with crushed candy cane for a festive touch.
Ingredients:
- 3 to 4 Mini Candy Canes
- 100ml Vodka
- 100ml Crème de Cacao
- 50ml Cream
- Garnish : Melted white chocolate (about 1 tbsp worth) and Crushed Candy cane
Day 5: Mince Pie Martini
Capture the essence of a traditional Christmas dessert in a glass with the Mince Pie Martini. Combine gin, red vermouth, homemade mince pie syrup, and citrus juice. Garnish your glass with an orange/tangerine rim dipped in cinnamon sugar for a flavourful sip.
Ingredients
- 100ml Gin
- 100ml Red Vermouth
- 1 tbsp strained fruit from the mince pie syrup
- 80ml Mince pie syrup*
- Juice of a tangerine or 1/2 orange
- Garnish: Orange or Tangerine and Sugar & Cinnamon (2:1 ratio)
Mince pie syrup
- 100g light brown sugar
- 100g mincemeat
- 200g water
Day 6: The Grinch
A visually striking cocktail, The Grinch, combines vodka, Midori (melon liquor), lime juice, and is topped with ginger ale or beer. Decorate the glass rim with red sprinkles and garnish with lime for a vibrant and festive look.
Ingredients
- 30ml Vodka
- 30ml Midori/ melon liquor
- 25ml Lime juice
- Ginger ale or beer
- Garnish: Red sprinkles , Lime, Candy Cane
Day 7: Orange & Rosemary Fizz with holiday ice cubes
Elevate your cocktail game with a simple but visually stunning hack. Create ice cubes embedded with orange slices and rosemary sprigs. When served with your favourite fizz or lemonade, these flavoured ice cubes add both aesthetics and enhanced taste to your drink.
Ingredients:
- Large silicone ice cube tray
- Orange soices
- rosemary
- edible glitter
Day 8: S’mores Martini
Experience the ultimate holiday treat with a S’mores Martini. Start by infusing vodka with marshmallows to create a delightful, sweet base. Mix this with cream de cacao, Baileys, and cream to replicate the flavors of the classic campfire treat. Garnish your glass with crushed graham crackers, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream for an indulgent touch.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml marshmallow-infused vodka **
- 25 ml cream de cacao
- 50 ml Baileys
- 50 ml single cream or milk
- Garnish: Crushed graham crackers or pretzels, chocolate sauce and whipped cream
** to make your marshmallow vodka, place a few small marshmallows in a clean bottle with some vodka. Let this dissolve (it won’t totally dissolve but will become much smaller). This takes around 2-5 days.
Day 9: Smoked Cinnamon & Apple Mocktail
Catering to those seeking non-alcoholic options, the Smoked Cinnamon & Apple Mocktail is a refreshing delight. Elevate apple juice with a touch of lemon, cracked black pepper, cinnamon powder, and a hint of agave syrup. Serve in a glass infused with a smoky flavour by burning a cinnamon stick, and garnish with apple slice, rosemary, and a cinnamon stick for a flavourful , alcohol-free alternative.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cloudy apple juice
- 10 ml lemon juice
- cracked black pepper
- cinnamon powder
- little squeeze of agave syrup
- ginger beer
- Garnish: apple slice, rosemary sprig & smoked cinnamon stick
Day 10: Chocolate Martini
Embrace the richness of a Chocolate Martini. Combine gin or vodka, milk, chocolate liqueur, and a dash of cream for a decadent drink. Decorate your glass with mixed chocolate shavings, indulging in a luxurious cocktail experience.
Ingredients
- 50ml Gin or Vodka
- 50ml Milk (any will do)
- 50ml Chocolate Liqueur- I went with Mozart but any will do
- Splash of double cream as it’s Christmas
- Garnish :Mixed chocolate shavings & Melted chocolate or ganache
Day 11: Pomegranate Margarita
Turn your margaritas festive with a Pomegranate Margarita. Shake tequila, pomegranate juice, lime juice, agave syrup and ice. Prepare the glass by rimming it with salt, then add pomegranate seeds and a sprig of rosemary to complete this tangy yet sweet holiday drink.
Ingredients
- 50 ml tequila
- 50 ml pomegranate juice
- 25 ml lime juice
- 15 ml agave syrup
- Ice
- Garnish :Lime to rub the rim, Salt, Pomegranate seeds & Rosemary spring
Day 12: Gingerbread Espresso Martini
Savor the taste of the season with a Gingerbread Espresso Martini. Create a mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, coffee, and gingerbread syrup for a flavorful kick. Prepare the glass by rimming it with gingerbread syrup followed by a sugar & cinnamon mixture. Garnish your cocktail with coffee beans for the perfect finishing touch to this festive twist on a classic drink.
Ingredients
- 40ml vodka
- 25ml coffee liqueur
- 25ml coffee
- 20ml gingerbread syrup
- Ice
Each of these cocktails offers a unique blend of flavours, textures, and festive aesthetics, making them perfect for holiday gatherings and adding a touch of celebration to the season.
Check out the videos on my instagram page and more cocktail recipes here.
