Festive Cocktails Perfect for Holiday Entertaining
Eat, drink, and be merry!
Drizly is the go-to for all of your holiday adult beverage needs. Drizly.com is an online liquor store that provides alcohol delivery (currently in 15+ major markets) — within an hour! — and specialty cocktail recipes as well as gift ideas.
Trisha Antonsen, the Chief Cocktail Officer at Drizly (and yes, that is her official job title) fills us in on the perfect cocktails for holiday entertaining:
Adults Only Frozen Hot Chocolate
“Freezing ingredients in place of regular ice cubes is an easy way to take a drink to the next level. This adult-only frozen hot chocolate is oh so good. Warning, a few of these could get your name on the naughty list.”
1 ounce Kahlúa
2 ounces bourbon
2-3 drops of vanilla extract
3-4 frozen hot chocolate ice cubes
In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve in mugs.
Cranberry Margarita
“This is a holiday twist on a favorite mixed drink. And this margarita couldn’t be easier to to make. The bitterness of the cranberry with the tart lime juice complements the tequila, resulting in delicious and festive flavors.”
2 ounces cranberry Juice
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila
1/2 ounces Cointreau (optional)
1/4 simple syrup or agave syrup
fresh cranberries and lime for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until outside of shaker is frosty and cold. Pour into a salt rimmed glass over fresh cubes. Garnish with cranberries and lime wheel.
Jingle Juice Punch
“Large batch punches are ideal for entertaining. You can prep most ingredients ahead of time and then mix right before company arrives. Letting guests serve themselves means you have more time to mingle.”
750 mL bottle of Bacardi Tangerine Rum
10 ounces Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
2L bottle of ginger ale
1 can frozen orange juice concentrate
8 ounces cranberry juice
4 ounces lemon juice
4 ounces lime juice
Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh sliced fruit, cranberries, and maraschino cherries. Serve in cups over ice.
Pomegranate Whiskey Sour
“This beautiful beverage is as delicious and refreshing as it looks. The classic holiday fruit, pomegranate, gets mixed into this classy cocktail for a drink that everyone will enjoy.”
2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce pomegranate simple syrup
Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake until cold, then strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon peel.
For the pomegranate simple syrup, combine 1 cup pomegranate juice, 1/8 cup granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Let cool. Store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
Sparkling Boulevardier
“This classic cocktail gets dressed up for the holidays with some bubbles and a fragrant garnish. If you’re looking to stick closer to tradition, skip the rosemary and add a Luxardo cherry.”
1 ounce dry sparkling wine
1 ounce rye whiskey
1 ounce Compari
1 ounce sweet vermouth
fresh rosemary garnish
In a mixing glass with ice add rye whiskey, Campari, and sweet vermouth, and stir with a bar spoon until chilled. Strain into a classic cocktail glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with rosemary.
Bourbon Ginger Cider
3 ounces apple cider
1.5 ounces bourbon whiskey
0.5 ounces Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
freshly grated ginger
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Shake until cold and pour into a rocks glass. Garnish with your favorite seasonal accompaniment.
