Are you looking to throw an amazing party this holiday season, with even better cocktails?
This time of year may be full of fun and cheer, but it can also be full of the same old drinks.
Spicing up your holiday party or office party can be as easy as including some more festive drinks to the menu.
It can also help put people in the holiday mood with warm spices, and festive looks, leaving them raving about the unique drinks options.
Read on to learn some wonderful winter party drinks that you can use to mix up your festivities in the best way.
The Best Party Drinks for the Holiday Season:
It can be tempting to take the easy way out and only choose the typical holiday drink lineup.
However, once you see these decadent options, you won’t want anything else at your party.
Here are seven prime recipes for cocktails at holiday parties that are sure to win over some grinches.
1. Ginger and Berry Champagne:
A classy drink for a classy party, this fruity yet spicy beverage is the perfect party drink idea.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. berry-infused cognac
- 1 oz. alcoholic raspberry ginger beer
- 1 oz. champagne
- 3 dashes of Black and Blue Bitters
- 2-4 fresh berries for garnish
Instructions
Add all of these ingredients into a champagne flute and gently stir. Then, follow with a few fresh berries to garnish.
For the berry-infused cognac, simply add one pint of fresh berries to jar with two cups of cognac. Allow this to infuse for at least one week before enjoying.
2. Chocolate Peppermint Mimosas:
Any chocoholics out there? The winter season is the perfect excuse for chocolate-peppermint heaven – in the form of a drink, of course.
Ingredients
- 1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips
- 9 candy canes
- 6 oz. peppermint schnapps
- 1 bottle champagne
Instructions
Begin this party drink recipe by melting the semisweet chocolate chips in a double boiler, or in the microwave.
Then, crush three of the candy cases, while leaving the remaining six whole. Pour both the melted chocolate and crushed candy canes onto separate plates.
Dip each champagne flute into the melted chocolate and then the crushed candy cane. Add in 1 ounce of peppermint schnapps to each glass, followed by champagne. Garnish with a whole candy cane in each flute.
3. The Winter Old-Fashioned:
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- .5 oz spiced simple syrup
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Cinnamon stick
Instructions
Start off by spicing the simple syrup in a small saucepan. Simmer the syrup in a 1:1 ratio with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, and cardamom.
Stir all the ingredients together with ice, then strain. Garnish with a fresh orange peel and a whole cinnamon stick.
4. The Ultimate Mistletoe Margaritas:
This red and festive margarita is an ideal frosty beverage for those nights that you’re craving something icy, sweet, and seasonal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. whole cranberries
- 1/4 c. granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp. salt
- 3/4 c. lime juice
- 1 wedge lime, for rim
- 2 c. cranberry juice
- 12 oz. tequila
- 8 oz. triple sec
- 6 c. ice
- Mint, for garnish
Instructions
Begin by mixing the fresh, whole cranberries with one-fourth of a cup of lime juice in a medium-sized bowl. Then, drain the lime juice and add in two tablespoons of granulated sugar.
With the remaining sugar and salt, mix them on a small plate. Wet the margarita glass with the lime wedge and dip generously into the plate of salt and sugar.
Blend the remaining ingredients of tequila, cranberry juice, triple sec, lime juice, and ice on high-speed until smooth.
Pour the mixture into the glass, garnish with a sprig of mint and cranberries, and enjoy this pink festive drink with good company at a small party venue.
5. Spiked Hot Cocoa with Rumchata:
This spiked hot chocolate is best enjoyed next to a toasty fire and a friend. A cocktail that’s guaranteed to make you feel warm and comforted.
Ingredients
- 2 c. milk
- 1/4 c. granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 6 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate
- 1/2 c. Rumchata
- 1/3 c. warm caramel
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon sugar
- Cinnamon stick
Instructions
In a small saucepan, begin simmering the milk. Slowly whisk in the sugar, vanilla, and cocoa powder until no lumps remain.
Stir in the bittersweet chocolate until fully melted, then add the Rumchata and remove from heat.
In a small dish, pour the warm caramel. Line each cup with the caramel by dipping it onto the dish.
Carefully pour the alcoholic hot chocolate into the glasses or mugs, and top with whipped cream, cinnamon sugar, and a whole cinnamon stick for a spicy and sweet warm cocktail.
6. Classic Mulled Wine:
Mulled wine is holiday time classic that is far from boring. Traditionally brewed at many of the Christmas Markets of Europe, this is a treat you won’t soon forget!
Instructions
- 2 oranges, peeled & juiced
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 white cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 2-star anise
- 2 bottles of Malbec
Instructions
Begin by simmering half of a bottle of the Malbec on the stovetop all of the spices, sugar and orange juice.
Once the sugar has fully dissolved, strain the mixture and then in a large saucepan, combine it with the remainder of the wine. Be very careful not to boil the mixture as this can make it lose alcohol.
Serve in heat-proof cups and garnish each with a fresh orange peel and a cinnamon stick.
7. Cinnamon Whiskey Sour with Cranberry:
This simple combination is sure to wow a crowd, with its pretty pink hue and classy taste only a whiskey sour can bring.
Ingredients
- 2 c. fresh cranberries
- 2 c. filtered water
- 2 c. granulated sugar
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks
- 3/4 c. simple syrup
- 3/4 c. whiskey
- 1/2 c. lemon juice
- 1/4 c. orange juice
- 1/4 c. lime juice
- 1 c. ice
Instructions
Begin this recipe in a large saucepan by bringing the cranberries, filtered water, granulated sugar, and cinnamon sticks to a slow boil on medium heat. Then, reduce the heat, and cook until the cranberries are soft.
Remove from heat and carefully strain the mixture with a fine mesh into a large bowl. Allow it to cool for at least ten minutes before moving to the next step.
For the cocktail, simply add the remaining ingredients of simple syrup, whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, lime juice, and a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker, and mix for about a minute.
Rock the Winter Drinks this Season:
These recipes should help you baffle the guests at every holiday party and beyond, and you’ll want to keep on making them each after the holidays are long gone.
Using a few signature recipes each and every year is key to hosting the perfect get together, no matter how big or small.
The most important part of any great cocktail, however, is who you decide to drink it with. So, enjoy all the time with loved ones this year, and every year.
Now that you have the perfect party drinks in your arsenal, check out these six delicious cakes to try this winter.
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