Festive Holiday Cocktail Recipes

The holiday season is the perfect time to gather with loved ones and toast to the year's end with festive cocktails that capture the spirit of the holidays. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or simply looking to enjoy a cozy night in, these three holiday-themed cocktails are sure to delight your guests. Let's dive into these recipes and add some Christmas cheer to your gatherings.

Christmas Mai Tai: Tropical with a Twist

This Christmas Mai Tai is inspired by the Mai Tai ornament. It combines the tropical flavors of a classic Mai Tai with the festive and colorful tastes of cranberry and pomegranate, creating a delightful and visually stunning holiday cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz light rum
• 1 oz dark rum
• 1 oz orange liqueur
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz fresh orange juice
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Crushed ice
• Fresh cranberries and a slice of orange for garnish
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish
• Maraschino cherry for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the light rum, dark rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.
4. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
5. Garnish with cranberries, an orange slice, and mint leaves.
6. Add a maraschino cherry for extra flair.

Cranberry Pomegranate Margarita: A Holiday Twist on a Classic

This Cranberry Pomegranate Margarita is inspired by the Margarita Christmas ornament. It marries the traditional Margarita with the holiday charm of cranberry and the bright red hue of pomegranate juice. It's the perfect sip for Christmas festivities.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz orange liqueur
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Ice
• Fresh cranberries and lime wedges for garnish
• Coarse salt or sugar for rimming (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rim the margarita glass with coarse salt or sugar.
2. Fill a shaker with ice.
3. Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, cranberry juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
4. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.
5. Strain into the prepared glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with cranberries and a lime wedge.

Christmas Old Fashioned: A Classic with a Spiced Twist

The Christmas Old Fashioneds style beautifully in our blush old fashioned glasses.

This Christmas Old Fashioned takes the classic cocktail and infuses it with the warm, aromatic spices of spiced syrup, creating a cozy and delightful drink for your holiday gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1/2 oz spiced simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 orange peel twist
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• Ice

For the Spiced Simple Syrup:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• 4-5 whole cloves
• 1 star anise
• 2-3 orange peel strips

Instructions:

1. Make the spiced simple syrup: In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange peel strips. Heat, stir until sugar dissolves, and simmer for a few minutes. Let it cool and strain to obtain spiced syrup.
2. In a mixing glass, combine the spiced simple syrup, whiskey, and bitters. Add ice and stir well.
3. Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
4. Express the oils from the orange peel twist over the cocktail.
5. Garnish with the orange peel twist, a cinnamon stick, and a star anise.

These three holiday cocktails will undoubtedly add festive flair to your celebrations. From the tropical vibes of the Christmas Mai Tai to the holiday spirit of the Cranberry Pomegranate Margarita and the warm embrace of the Christmas Old Fashioned, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Cheers to a wonderful holiday season!