The holidays have arrived! This is a time to share with relatives, good friends and nice holiday cocktails. The perfect holiday cocktail party will have a combination of holiday-themed mixed drinks, shots and some warm drinks to take away that winter chill.
Holiday Party Cocktails
Holiday party cocktails should remind you of the season. Christmas is a time of sweets and spices. So here are a few drinks that you can make to reflect on the season.
Chocolate Milkwhip – This is a drink you can enjoy either with a kick of Bailey’s Irish Cream or as a virgin, without alcohol. Whichever way you choose you will get a nice chocolate drink to celebrate the holidays with. All you need is a tall glass filled with ice. Add 4 ounces of chocolate milk and 2 ounces of cold coffee to give you a caffeine boost for the party. If you wish to add some alcohol, add 1 ounce of Bailey’s Irish Cream. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings for your perfect chocolate lover’s drink.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer– What type of Christmas party would it be without Rudolph? This drink will match the color of his nose. You will need a highball glass filled with ice. Add 1 ¼ ounces of rum, preferably Baccardi, 1 ½ ounces of limejuice and half an ounce of grenadine to give it that nice red glow like Rudolph’s nose. If this is too strong for you, top it off with cranberry juice to your taste. It will give you a nice sweet drink that is not overpowering.
Peppermint Twist – Everyone loves a candy cane this time of year – here is one you can drink! Fill a shaker with ice. Pour in 1 ounce of peppermint schnapps (for that nice little kick and mint flavor), 1 ounce of Kahlua and 1 ounce of brown creme de cacoa. Shake this mixture of alcohols in the shaker, strain and pour into a glass. Beware, this drink packs quite a wallop but goes down smooth enough you might not notice. It is liquid candy for the holiday season.
Holiday Shots
Holiday shots are nice small drinks that not only taste great but also look just as great. Some can even be made to look like the colors of a Christmas tree!
Christmas Cheer – This is a simple shot. Just fill half the shot glass with eggnog and the other half with peppermint schnapps. This drink is like a glass of spiced eggnog and goes down nice and smooth.
Winter Break – Are you looking for a memory of warmer days during this holiday season? Treat yourself to a tropical shot to remind you. This shot is made using one-third of a shot of peach schnapps, one-third of banana liquor and one-third of Southern Comfort. It provides a slight burn with a great tropical combination of flavors.
Christmas Tree Shot No. 1– This is named after the Christmas tree due to its layered red and green colors. You will first need to pour 1 ½ ounces of Chambord. Then turn a spoon upside down and slowly poor 1 ½ ounces of melon liquor. Pour this slowly and carefully to layer it so you have the green layer over the red Chambord.
Christas Tree Shot No. 2– This is an even more extravagant Christmas tree shot. The trick of layering liquor using an upside-down spoon takes a little practice. Rest assured it is a rather simple skill that most can learn quickly. Start with one-third of an ounce of Irish cream. Add on top of that (by pouring it slowly over the inverted spoon) a one-third of an ounce of grenadine for the red color. Finish this up with some green on top by layering one-third of an ounce of creme de menthe by slowly pouring it over the inverted spoon. This is a nice, smooth minty drink – almost like a mint milkshake.
The holiday season is known for its chilly nights. Of course, you could warm up in front of a fire with a loved one. Here are some ideas for those who do not have a fireplace or simply want a drink that’ll do the warming for them.
Hot Chocolate Butternut – Here is an interesting twist on hot chocolate. It keeps you warm with the hot cocoa but adds another kick with the liquor. Fill a cup with 5 ounces of hot chocolate. Then mix in 2 ounces of butternut schnapps (this will add some more heat) along with half an ounce of amaretto. In order to ensure you have enough for everyone to last the entire duration of the party, make a large pot of hot chocolate and keep it warm on the stove. Place the ingredients nearby and add them to the hot chocolate as necessary. Your guests can choose the standard hot chocolate or this kicked up version. Don’t forget to top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Hot Cider Rum Punch – This is a crowd pleaser so you should make it in a large batch. Start with four cups of apple cider in a pot on the stove. Add a cup of rum. Combine two cups of orange juice (and cranberry juice if you wish). Add some fresh cinnamon sticks and let this drink simmer on the stove all night. It will make your house smell great for the arrival of your guests!
It is All About Being Creative
Holiday parties are a lot of fun, and part of the fun is experimenting. These are just a few drinks to try for your next holiday party season. Adjust them as you wish, and come up with your own. Keep in mind that once you get the layering trick down for shots you can make some very impressive shots for your guests at your next holiday party.
