Festive Foothills Fun: here are some dandy drinks to experiment with. And enjoy. Holiday greetings to all!
(Note: All recipes can be made non-alcoholic by substituting spirits with alternatives like extra juice, soda, or non-alcoholic spirits.)
Spiced Cranberry Moscow Mule
A holiday twist on the classic mule with cranberry and warming spices.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
Directions:
- Fill a copper mug with crushed ice
- Combine vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a shaker with ice
- Shake well and strain into the mug
- Top with ginger beer and bitters
- Garnish with fresh cranberries, rosemary sprig, and lime wedge
Winter White Chocolate Martini
A decadent dessert cocktail perfect for holiday parties.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vanilla vodka
- 2 oz white chocolate liqueur
- 1 oz white crème de cacao
- 1 oz heavy cream
- White chocolate shavings for garnish
- Sugar and crushed candy cane for rim
Directions:
- Rim a martini glass with sugar and crushed candy cane mixture
- Combine all liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice
- Shake vigorously until well-chilled
- Strain into prepared glass
- Garnish with white chocolate shavings
Pomegranate Champagne Punch
An elegant sparkling punch that's perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle prosecco or champagne
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- ½ cup Cointreau
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- Pomegranate seeds (aka arils)
- Fresh mint leaves
- Orange slices
Directions:
- In a large punch bowl, combine pomegranate juice, Cointreau, and lime juice
- Slowly add the champagne
- Float orange slices, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves
- Serve in champagne flutes
Maple Old Fashioned
A winter variation of the classic cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ¼ oz pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
- Cinnamon stick
Directions:
- In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, maple syrup, and both bitters
- Add ice and stir for 30 seconds
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube
- Express orange peel oils over drink and garnish with peel and cinnamon stick
Mulled Wine Sangria
A cool twist on traditional mulled wine.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle red wine
- 1 cup apple cider
- ¼ cup brandy
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise pods
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 apple, diced
- Fresh cranberries
Directions:
- Combine wine, cider, and brandy in a large pitcher
- Add spices and fruit
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight
- Serve over ice, garnished with extra fruit and a cinnamon stick
Snow Globe Gin & Tonic
A magical winter version of the G&T.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 4 oz premium tonic water
- ½ oz elderflower liqueur
- ¼ oz fresh lemon juice
- Edible pearl dust or shimmer (!)
- Rosemary sprig
- Fresh cranberries
Directions:
- Add gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice to a balloon glass
- Fill with ice
- Top with tonic water
- Add a tiny pinch of edible pearl dust
- Garnish with rosemary sprig and cranberries
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
A boozy take on the winter favorite.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz caramel vodka
- 6 oz hot chocolate
- 1 oz salted caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings
- Caramel drizzle
Directions:
- Rim a mug with caramel sauce and flaky salt
- Combine hot chocolate and vodka in the mug
- Stir in salted caramel sauce until fully incorporated
- Top with whipped cream
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and caramel drizzle
Christmas Morning Mimosa
A festive breakfast cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz prosecco
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz Grand Marnier
- Fresh rosemary sprig
- Sugared cranberries
- Gold sugar for rim
Directions:
- Rim champagne flute with gold sugar
- Pour cranberry juice and Grand Marnier into glass
- Top with chilled prosecco
- Garnish with rosemary sprig and sugared cranberries