Christmas Cocktail Recipes

Today I have some cocktails that will work great for your Christmas party. Going back to basics is a definite trend this year, and these cocktails embrace that with some basic Christmas flavors that everyone loves.

The Christmas cocktails I have for you today were created by leading mixologists. They were created by taking your top winter drinks from childhood and giving them a sophisticated and provocative makeover. Forget spiced apple cider, you’re sure to enjoy these updated cocktails. They’re sure to put a smile on your face just like Christmas morning.

The recipes are all courtesy of Brent Lamberti, bartender at RDV restaurant in New York City, and the respective brands.

Mistletoe Makeout

A VeeV Açaí Spirit spin on a berry smoothie

• 1 oz VeeV Açaí Spirit
• 0.5 oz Grand Marnier
• Handful of cranberries, blackberries and blueberries
• Dash of All Spice
• 1 oz Crémant d’Alsace
• Mistletoe for garnish

Muddle the berries in a mixing glass and add All Spice. Pour the berry puree into a cocktail shaker and add VeeV Açaí Spirit and Grand Marnier. Shake well over ice, and pour into a Champagne flute. Top up with Crémant d’Alsace, and garnish with a mistletoe on the bottom of the glass.

Coco Loco

A sophisticated Hot Chocolate upgrade

• 2 oz Flor de Caña 7-year-old
• 0.5 oz Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur
• Thin slice of Habañero Chili
• Dash of cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons of brown sugar
• 2 oz of milk
• Grated pistachios for garnish
• Whipped cream (optional)

Pour the rum, chocolate liqueur and milk into a small pot, and add the slice of chili, cinnamon and sugar. Simmer on low to medium heat until hot. Pour the Hot Chocolate into an Irish coffee mug, and an optional topping of whipped cream. Garnish with grated pistachios.

Sapphire Stocking Stuffer

A Bombay Sapphire Gin spin on eggnog

• 2 oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
• 2 oz ginger liqueur
• 1 peppermint tea bag
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 egg white
• 3 oz sugar
• 6 oz heavy cream
• 3 oz milk
• 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg
• Mint leaf for garnish

Pour 2 oz of Bombay Sapphire Gin into a mixing glass. Add the peppermint teabag, and let it steep for a couple of minutes. In the meantime, whip the egg white with sugar until stiff, and fold in the egg yolk, heavy cream, milk, and nutmeg. Combine equal parts eggnog and peppermint infused Bombay Sapphire Gin in a shaker over a small amount of ice, roll it, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a mint leaf.

Gingerbread Man

In a mixing glass, muddle 3 dials of fresh ginger.

Add:

• 1 oz Lucid
• 0 .5 oz demerara sugar syrup (or simple syrup)
• Dash of freshly grated cinnamon
• Dash of freshly grated nutmeg
• 0 .5 oz fresh lemon
• 0.25 oz green chartreuse

Shake thoroughly with ice, then strain over fresh ice in a highball glass. Garnish with a small Christmas tree gingerbread cookie.

Pear Infused Cognac Liqueur

• 1.5 Parts Xanté
• 3 Parts Freshly pressed apple juice or apple cider
• A cinnamon stick

Heat the freshly pressed apple juice together with the cinnamon stick

Add Xanté before serving.

I hope you enjoy these recipes. Make sure you remind your guests to drink their holiday cocktails responsibly!

Images: RDV Restaurant