Festive cocktails are the perfect addition to any holiday party. These 5 Dazzling Cocktails for Your Next Holiday Celebration have all the colors and flavors of the holiday season.
Here are 5 Dazzling Cocktails for Your Next Holiday Celebration.
Cinnamon and Cumin-Infused Cranberry Spritzer
This delightful beverage is a delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. Here, the classic flavor combination of cranberry, orange, and cinnamon is complemented by the unexpected addition of cumin. Add a little vodka for a fun adults-only treat, or skip it for a pleasant mocktail everyone can enjoy. Cheers!
Prep time: 5 minutes, plus chill time
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
1 c. fresh or frozen cranberries
¼ c. honey
½ c. water
2 T whole cumin seeds
4 cinnamon sticks
3 c. unsweetened cranberry juice
2 medium organic oranges, each cut into 8 wedges
Optional: ½ c. vodka
3 c. sparkling water
*Tip: Garnish with cinnamon sticks or fresh rosemary sprigs threaded with fresh cranberries for a festive look*
Directions:
1. Add cranberries, honey, water, cumin seeds, and cinnamon sticks to a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until the honey is melted and the spices are intensely fragrant.
2. Remove from heat and transfer to a large glass or other non-reactive bowl. Add cranberry juice, orange wedges, and vodka, if using. Refrigerate for several hours to overnight.
3. Once thoroughly chilled, remove from the refrigerator and firmly squeeze each orange wedge into the bowl to capture the juice before discarding. Strain the mixture with a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
4. To serve, fill serving glasses with ice and add enough of the seasoned cranberry juice mixture to fill each glass about 1/3 full. Top off each glass with sparkling water and stir to combine. Taste and sweeten with additional honey, if desired. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and/or rosemary skewers and serve immediately.
Peppermint Martinis
Want a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays? If so, you’ll definitely want to give these peppermint martinis a try! Your guests will love the crushed candy cane rim that complements the chocolate and peppermint flavors perfectly.
Yield: 1 cocktail
Time to Prepare: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
2 oz. vanilla vodka, chilled
1 oz. white crème de cacao, chilled
1 oz. Peppermint schnapps, chilled
Rim:
3 oz. peppermint candy, crushed
¼ fresh lime
Optional garnish:
small candy canes
*Tip: Make sure you use the white crème de cacao for this recipe. The taste of the dark version works well, but it won’t give you the look you are after*
Directions:
1. Place peppermint candy in a plastic bag and cover it with a towel. Pound bag with a meat mallet or rolling pin until the candy is crushed into very small pieces. Transfer crushed candy pieces to a flat plate.
2. Run a small wedge of lime around the rim of a martini glass until it is very well moistened. Turn the martini glass upside down and place moistened rim onto the plate of crushed peppermints. Turn the glass gently to ensure the entire rim is evenly coated.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka, crème de cacao, and peppermint schnapps. Shake vigorously until thoroughly combined. Strain chilled liquid into a prepared martini glass and add a small candy cane if desired. Serve immediately.
Festive Cranberry Margaritas
Traditionally, margaritas are considered a warm-weather drink, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this delicious and popular cocktail all year long! This holiday-friendly version lends a festive twist with its bright splash of color and a fun, seasonal garnish.
Yield: 1 margarita
Total Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
3 oz. tequila
2 oz. Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)
2 oz. cranberry juice
3 T. fresh lime juice
Garnish:
fresh rosemary sprigs, bottom leaves removed, approximately 2-3” long
fresh cranberries
fresh lime wedges
Directions:
1. To make cranberry sprig garnish, carefully thread 3 fresh cranberries onto tough rosemary stems. Set aside.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add tequila, Cointreau, and both juices. Shake well and strain into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and lime wedges, if desired. Serve immediately.
Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail
The fizz of sparkling water paired with a bright splash of pomegranate juice makes this refreshing cocktail feel extra festive. Serve in decorative holiday-themed glasses for even more seasonal cheer!
Yield: 2 cocktails
Total Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
4 oz. citrus-flavored vodka, chilled
6 oz. 100% Pomegranate juice, chilled
3 T. fresh lime juice
4 oz. cold sparkling water
Optional garnish:
lime wedges
fresh pomegranate arils
Directions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and add vodka, pomegranate, and lime juice. Shake to combine thoroughly. Strain liquid mixture evenly into two champagne glasses and top with sparkling water. Serve immediately.
Cranberry Moscow Mule
A bright splash of seasonal color transforms this classic cocktail into a new holiday favorite. If you enjoy the warm gingery flavor of a traditional Moscow Mule, you will definitely want to give this one a try!
Yield: 1 cocktail
Total Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
3 oz. premium vodka
1 oz. 100% cranberry juice
1 T. fresh lime juice
8 oz. ginger beer
Garnish: (optional)
fresh rosemary sprigs, bottom leaves removed, approximately 2-3” long
fresh cranberries
fresh lime wedges
Directions:
1. To make cranberry sprig garnish, carefully thread 3 fresh cranberries onto the bottom of each rosemary stem.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Shake well and pour into ice-filled copper mugs. Top off mug with ginger beer and stir to combine.
3. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and lime wedges, if desired. Serve immediately.
There you have it. 5 Dazzling Cocktails for Your Next Holiday Celebration.
Here are some other holiday recipes you might like:
Cheers!!
