Ah yes, it’s that time of year... when snow, visiting relatives, and a little too much time on your hands inevitably makes you wish for one thing: Christmas drinks.
OK, maybe you want a little more than Christmas drinks, like some peace and quiet, or relaxing ambience in which to enjoy them.
What constitutes a Christmas drink? When you think of Christmas, you think of Santa and his reindeer, stockings hung above the fireplace, and a glowing tree with presents beneath it. But you might also think about hosting your family for a holiday meal. Whether you stick to a simple, quiet tradition or invite all the relatives over for family fun, here are five holiday-inspired cocktail recipes to try.
Peppermint Pattie Cocktail
Does a mint chocolate Christmas drink sound good to you? Look no further than the Peppermint Pattie Cocktail, like a York mint in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix
- 1/4–1/2 cup peppermint schnapps
- 1/4 cup crème de cacao chocolate liqueur
- whipped cream
- sprinkles
How to make two Peppermint Pattie Cocktails:
- Over medium heat, warm two cups of milk in a saucepan.
- Stir in the hot chocolate mix when milk steams. Keep stirring for about two minutes, but don’t let it boil.
- Remove the mixture from heat and stir in 1/4–1/2 cup of peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao chocolate liqueur. Add more schnapps if you want to feel extra jolly.
- Pour the mixture into two glass cups, top each with whipped cream and the most festive of wintery sprinkles, and find a drinking buddy.
White Christmas Cocktail
You’re dreaming of a white Christmas... yeah, yeah, yeah. But why dream of one when you can fabricate your very own White Christmas Cocktail?
Ingredients:
How to make two White Christmas Cocktails:
- Use a microwave to melt the white chocolate. Pour the sprinkles on a small plate.
- Get two glasses and dip the rims first in the chocolate and then in the sprinkles.
- Immediately place glasses in a refrigerator to chill.
- Pour vodka, crème de cacao, Frangelico, and half and half into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake well.
- Bring out the two glasses and pour the mixture evenly between them, then serve and enjoy.
Jingle Juice Cocktail
You’ve no doubt heard of Jungle Juice — but how about Jingle Juice? This is prime for crowd-pleasing Christmas drinks, but we won’t judge if you just make it for yourself and a couple friends on a cold December night.
Ingredients:
- 2 bottles red Moscato wine
- 1 bottle Prosecco
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 4 cups cranberry-apple juice
- 2 cups frozen cranberries
- 1/3 cup mint leaves
- 2 limes
- 1/2 cup sugar
How to make Jingle Juice:
- Slice the limes and use them to wet the rim of each glass. Dip the glass rims in sugar and set aside.
- Pour Moscato, Prosecco, vodka, and cranberry-apple juice into a large punch bowl.
- Stir the punch and garnish with cranberries, mint leaves, and limes. Serve with a ladle.
Ginger Snap Cocktail
For many of us, this is only the beginning of a long, dark winter. Snap back to life with this zingy Ginger Snap Cocktail that will keep you content in the bitter cold.
Ingredients:
- 1–1/2 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. Domaine de Canton or other ginger liqueur
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp. agave syrup
- 1/4 tsp. fresh ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Grated nutmeg
- Cinnamon stick
How to make a Ginger Snap Cocktail:
- Pour vodka, ginger liqueur, lemon juice, agave syrup, peeled and grated ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Strain the mixture into a lowball glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Sugar Cookie Martini
Hankering for more dessert but also want more Christmas drinks? The holidays offer no better excuse to make this Sugar Cookie Martini.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. vanilla vodka
- 1 oz. amaretto liqueur
- 2 oz. coffee creamer (either Frosted Sugar Cookie or Vanilla by International Delight)
- Sugar
- Light corn syrup
How to make a Sugar Cookie Martini:
- Pour a small amount of light corn syrup on a plate and pour some sugar on another plate. Dip the rim of a martini glass in the corn syrup and then in the sugar.
- Pour vodka, amaretto, and coffee creamer into a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice, shake well, and strain the mixture into the glass. Sweet dreams, Cookie.
With Christmas drinks like these, you can say with hearty sincerity: Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.