We love a good holiday cocktail just as much as anyone, but there are so many options that it’s hard to narrow it down. That’s why we decided to do some digging. We didn’t want to present you with the traditional chocolate martini; we wanted more original and creative options! Here are our picks for some of the top holiday cocktail recipes!
Cherry Punch
(image via the pioneer woman/david malosh)
Serve this cocktail recipe from The Pioneer Woman in a punch bowl to draw in your guests.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz maraschino cherries
- 3 limes, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 6 spiced hibiscus tea bags
- 12 oz frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
- 2 liters ginger ale, chilled
- 24 oz seltzer, chilled
- ¼ cup grenadine
Instructions:
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Drain cherries and reserve the juice in the fridge. Spread cherries, limes, and oranges on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. This will take at least 2 hours.
- Bring 4 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Allow to steep for 5 minutes, then discard tea bags and let cool. Refrigerate until cold.
- Pour the tea and maraschino cherry juice into a punch bowl. Add orange juice concentrate and stir to combine. Then, add ginger ale, seltzer, and grenadine. Add frozen cherries, limes, and oranges before serving.
The Grinch
(image via the spruce eats)
This green cocktail recipe from The Spruce Eats is not only eye-catching but also super delicious. Mix a few up when The Grinch is on TV, or throw one back just because ‘tis the season.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz melon liqueur
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 1 tsp simple serum
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker, combine melon liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish and serve.
Tiramisu White Russians
(image via delish)
If you want something sweet and chocolatey this holiday season, try this tiramisu white Russian recipe from The Mixer. Just beware – although it tastes like it hardly has any alcohol, the concoction is still fairly strong.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz cold cream
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz Appleton Estate rum
- Ice
- Cocoa powder and ladyfinger biscuits for garnish
Instructions:
- Add cold cream and sugar to a mixing bowl; whisk until soft peaks form.
- Pour coffee liqueur and rum into a rocks glass with ice.
- Stir well to chill, then top with whipped cream.
- Garnish with cocoa powder and biscuits to serve.
Mulled Wine
(image via gimme some oven)
The holidays bring some chilly weather, so we had to include a warm alcoholic beverage on this list. And what’s better than mulled wine? Follow this recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of dry red wine
- ¼ cup brandy
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- 8 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 2-4 Tbsp sugar, honey or maple syrup
Instructions:
- Combine wine, brandy, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and sweetener in a large saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the liquid over medium-high heat, but don’t let it bubble. Once hot enough, reduce to low heat and cover completely for at least 15 minutes to 3 hours.
- Strain the orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Add as much sweetener as desired.
- Serve warm, preferably in heatproof mugs.
Naughty or Nice
(image via liquor.com)
The drink none of us knew we needed! If you like wine, this recipe from Liquor.com is for you. If you like liqueur, this is for you. If you like tangy, sweet, and a taste of bitter, this is for you. A drink with every taste you’ve longed for this holiday season.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz chardonnay
- 3 oz pinot noir
- 2 oz cognac
- 2 oz maraschino liqueur
- 4 oz ginger ale
- Blood orange slices to garnish
Instructions:
- Add chardonnay, pinot noir, cognac, maraschino liqueur, ginger ale, and a large ice cube to a punch bowl.
- Divide between two cups or glasses with fresh ice.
- Garnish with blood orange slices.
Do you have a favorite holiday cocktail recipe? Share with us in the comments below!