The holiday season is the perfect time to gather with friends and family and celebrate with festive drinks. These six-holiday cocktail recipes will elevate your backyard party, featuring a variety of spirits like tequila, vodka, white rum, red wine, champagne, and whiskey.
With an array of garnishes and seasonal touches, your guests will be raving about these delightful concoctions all night long.
Table of Contents
Gingerbread Margaritas
Ingredients:
- 9 oz tequila
- 6 oz ginger liqueur
- 6 oz fresh lime juice
- 6 oz coconut cream
- 3 oz triple sec
- 6 oz sour mix
- 6 maraschino cherries
Directions:
- Combine the first six ingredients in a blender for one minute at medium speed.
- Pour into margarita glasses and garnish with a stemmed maraschino cherry.
This recipe makes six drinks.
Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum Punch
Ingredients:
- 9 oz white rum
- 1 1/2 oz grenadine
- 3 oz fresh lime juice
- Sugar (to taste)
- 6 fresh sprigs of mint
- Ice
Directions:
- Combine the first three ingredients in a large pitcher and mix well.
- Stir in sugar little by little until the preferred taste is reached.
- Pour into drink glasses filled with ice and garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.
This recipe makes six drinks.
The Jack Frost
Ingredients:
- 12 oz whiskey
- 6 oz peppermint schnapps
- 1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
- 6 small candy canes or peppermint sticks
- Ice
Directions:
- Combine the first three ingredients in a large pitcher and mix well.
- Pour into cocktail glasses filled with ice and garnish with a small candy cane or peppermint stick.
This recipe makes six drinks.
The Happy New Year
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of champagne
- 1 bag of fresh or frozen cranberries
Directions:
- Pour champagne into glasses and place 6 – 8 cranberries in each glass.
- The cranberries will float on top of the champagne.
This recipe serves six.
Santa Baby Sangria
Ingredients:
- 2 bottles of red wine
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 oranges
- 2 limes
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup of club soda
- Ice
Directions:
- Combine sugar and water in a large punch bowl and stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the red wine into the sugar and water mixture, add the ice, oranges, limes, and cranberries, and stir until the mixture is cold.
- Pour club soda in and stir gently.
This recipe makes 15 servings.
The Naughty or Nice
Ingredients:
- 9 oz vodka
- 30 oz cranberry juice
- Sugar (optional)
- Ice
Directions:
- In a large pitcher, combine vodka and cranberry juice.
- Rim cocktail glasses with sugar for those who want their drinks nice.
- Pour the drinks into ice-filled glasses.
This recipe serves six.
Adding Festive Touches
To make your holiday cocktails even more special, consider these festive touches:
- Sugar-rimmed glasses create the illusion of glittering snow-capped cocktails.
- Garnishes like maraschino cherries, fresh mint sprigs, miniature candy canes, or cranberries add a personal touch to each drink.
- Cranberries can be used in various drinks, including white wine, ginger ale, and even sparkling water. A few frozen cranberries in each cocktail will also help keep the drink cool.
Incorporating these extra details will ensure your holiday gathering is truly memorable and merry.
Conclusion
These six festive holiday cocktail recipes are sure to delight your guests and set the mood for a joyful backyard party. With a diverse range of flavors and spirits, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t forget to add those special garnishes and festive touches to give your drinks an extra sparkle. Cheers to a wonderful holiday celebration!