Some of my favorite fun holiday cocktails (and a mocktail!) to celebrate the season. Wishing the happiest of holidays to you all. Cheers!
Ginger Sparkler
Personally, this is one of my favorites. I love the subtle hint of ginger in the bubbles; tastes like seasonal perfection. If you're looking to prep several drinks for guests, this recipe is especially easy to make for a large group. Just make the ginger simple syrup ahead of time & pop a bottle of bubbles when your guests arrive.
What You'll Need:
2 teaspoons finely grated, peeled fresh ginger
½ cup sugar
¼ cup water
Dry sparkling wine (cava, prosecco, or champagne), chilled
The How To:
- In a small saucepan, boil ginger, sugar, and 1/4 cup water until syrupy, about 2 minutes. Strain into bowl & discard solids (or roll them in sugar for candied ginger garnish). You can make this syrup ahead and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to one week.
- Pour one tablespoon syrup into a champagne flute and top with chilled sparkling wine
- Gently stir & serve.
Night Before ‘Nog
A new spin on a holiday classic. While traditional eggnog was never really my thing, anything with ice cream is. The bourbon, rum & spices are sure to warm you up from the chilly winter gusts while the ice cream makes for a wonderfully decadent base. I'd describe this drink as "sweet, but not too sweet" as the flavors blend incredibly well in this melange; even my non-sweet-toothed husband loves this holiday hit.
What You'll Need:
1 shot bourbon
1 shot dark rum
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus a stick for garnish)
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (plus more for garnish)
The How To:
- Add bourbon, rum, ice cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the shaker.
- Shake it up! (approximately 10 seconds)
- Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with nutmeg & a cinnamon stick.
Holiday Mule Mocktail
This mocktail may be sans alcohol, but it's certainly not without holiday spirit. The combination of the cinnamon syrup, juices and ginger beer will have your tastebuds dancing like sugar plums.
What You'll Need:
½ shot cinnamon syrup
½ shot lime juice
½ shot cranberry juice
Ginger Beer
Cranberries (for garnish)
A sprig of rosemary (for garnish)
1 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 cups water
The How To:
- Make the cinnamon syrup: in a small sauce pot add 2 cups water and two cinnamon stick and bring to boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, and strain out cinnamon sticks. Bring water back to a boil, add 1 cup sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Combine cinnamon syrup, lime juice and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake it up!
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
- Top with ginger beer and garnish with fresh cranberry & a sprig of rosemary.
Pro Tip: If you really want to impress, roll your rosemary in powdered sugar to give a fresh snowfall look.
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