Making Spirits Bright! A Few Of My Favorite Holiday Drinks

Making Spirits Bright! A Few Of My Favorite Holiday Drinks

Christmas is a time of celebration with friends and family, and it is the most cheerful time of the year! What could make the holidays even more cheerful? A cup of cheer for you and your guests to make everyone just a bit jollier and little less, well, grinchy.

I’ve put together a few of my favorite drink recipes to make the holidays brighter!

White Christmas Margarita

• 1(14-oz.) can unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 cream of coconut
• 12 silver tequila
• 8 triple sec
• 1/4 lime juice
• 4 ice
• Lime wedge, for rimming glass
• Sanding sugar, for rimming glass
• Lime slices, for garnish
• Cranberries, for garnish

Directions:

Step 1: Combine coconut milk, cream of coconut, tequila, triple sec, lime juice and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Step 2: Rim glasses with lime wedge and dip in sanding sugar. Pour into glass and garnish with lime and cranberries.

*Makes 6 Servings

What I love about this recipe is that it has tequila! Need I say more? Vodka and whiskey tend to be the most relied upon liquors during the holidays, so it is nice to see tequila be recognized.

Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini

• 4 (or more) ice
• 4 Baileys
• 3 vodka
• 1/2 hot chocolate mix
• Whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for serving

Directions:

Step 1: In a blender, blend ice, Baileys, vodka, and hot chocolate mix until smooth. Add more ice as needed to thicken as desired.

Step 2: Pour into 2 glasses. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.With

Christmas in Louisiana ranges from 30 degrees to 80 degrees in temperature which makes this recipe a perfect addition to your holiday drink recipe repertoire. Whether it is 80 degrees outside or just a little too toasty next to the fire, this drink is sure to cool you down while still feeling festive.

White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

• 5oz – vanilla vodka
• 5oz – white chocolate liqueur
• 1oz – white creme de cacao
• 1oz – half and half
• .5oz – peppermint schnapps

Directions:

Step 1: Dampen rim of chilled martini glass and roll through crushed peppermints.

Step 2: Put all liquid ingredients into cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake until outside of the cocktail shaker starts to get frosty.

Step 3: Then pour all ingredients into the martini glass.

This drink sells itself. White chocolate and peppermint are one of the most classic holiday flavor combinations. Whether it is a Starbucks coffee or white chocolate peppermint bark, this flavor combination just works, so why not add it to your next cocktail?!

Sugar Cookie Martini

For the Rim:

• 1/2 powdered sugar
• 2 half-and-half
• 1/4 nonpareil sprinkles

For the Martini:

• 3 vanilla vodka
• 3 Irish cream liqueur, such as Bailey’s
• 2 butterscotch schnapps
• 2 half-and-half
• Ice

Directions:

For the rim: In a small bowl as wide as the glass, whisk together the powdered sugar and half-and-half. (The icing should be very thick.) Place the sprinkles on a small plate. Dip just the rims of two coupe glasses into the icing, twisting to coat. Immediately dip the frosted rims into the sprinkles. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the martini: In a cocktail shaker, combine the vanilla vodka, Irish cream liqueur, butterscotch schnapps, half-and-half, and ice. Cover and shake vigorously for 10 to 20 seconds. Strain into the chilled coupe glasses and serve immediately.

Sugar cookies are the triangle sandwiches of the holidays. And by that, I mean when I see them at a gathering, I know I will end up eating several more than I originally intended.   This cocktail recipe will have you doing the same so be careful 😉

Christmas Yule Eggnog

• 32 oz Eggnog
• 12 oz Whiskey
• 1 1/2 oz Light Rum

Directions:

Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a large punchbowl and serve

Step 2: Sprinkle fresh-grated nutmeg on top of each serving (Makes 10-12 servings)

This recipe is perfect for larger family gatherings or Christmas work parties…after business hours of course. For this recipe I like to use a mellower whiskey that blends well into the Eggnog such as Jack Daniels. Adding cute drink stirrers or drink tags can be a fun way to dress up this simple recipe as well.

Christmas Morning Punch (Non-Alcoholic)

FOR THE ICE CUBES:

• 8sprigs fresh rosemary
• 14-oz. container pomegranate arils

FOR THE PUNCH:

• 3 unsweetened pomegranate juice
• 1 orange juice
• 1 pineapple juice
• 12-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
• 14 oz bottle sparkling apple juice, such as Martinelli’s

Directions

1. For the ice cubes: Snip the rosemary into 1-inch pieces. Add a few pomegranate seeds and a small sprig of rosemary to the wells of two ice cube trays. Add water until each well is three-quarters full. Freeze until solid, at least 12 hours.
2. For the punch: Combine the pomegranate, pineapple, and orange juice in a pitcher. Add the sliced ginger and let sit overnight (or up to 24 hours).
3. When ready to serve, place a few ice cubes in a tall glass and fill halfway with the fruit juice. Top with sparkling apple cider and serve immediately.

While a little booze can make the Holidays go off a bit smoother I would be remised if I did not include a tasty punch for those who wish to avoid alcohol whether by choice or because you had too many Sugar Cookie Martinis the night before.