BEST CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON 2022

Christmas cocktails can help to ease you into the festive season. Get them right, and they can transform your Christmas party into a fun, refreshing, and memorable talking point. However, get them wrong, and they can leave a bad taste that can linger long into the evening.

The best way to ensure your Christmas cocktail recipes are an all-around success is to account for the climate and offer a broad range of refreshing flavours that appeal to many. 

From a classic non-alcoholic Christmas punch recipe to a refreshing sangria, a cranberry spin on a Tom Collins, and a decadent whisky sour, we have put together four of the best Christmas cocktails to enliven your festivities this year.

The classic Christmas punch recipe gets a flavoursome non-alcoholic twist with this refreshing alternative. However, if you’d like to spice it up, you can substitute the fizzy drinks with champagne.
 

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

600 ml boiling water

6 sprigs fresh mint, crushed

900 ml fresh orange juice

600 ml cold black tea

900 ml pineapple juice

300 ml fresh lemon juice

3 L dry ginger ale

3 L lemonade

1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped

1 tray ice cubes to serve

Instructions 

1. Dissolve sugar in boiling water, add crushed mint, and cool.
2. Remove the crushed mint, then mix the sugar solution, cold tea, and juices in a large bowl.
3. Decant into storage jugs and refrigerate until required.
4. When ready to serve, mix with dry ginger ale and lemonade in equal proportions into a serving jug or glasses.
5. Add ice, chopped strawberries, and/or mint leaves, if desired to garnish.

Source: https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipes/christmas-fruit-punch-recipe/3lbom0mk

You can’t beat the classic Christmas sangria to get you into the festive spirit. This one is rosé wine-based, giving it a lovely pink aesthetic. We recommend refrigerating overnight to infuse all those lovely fruity flavours. 

Ingredients

Rosé
Raspberries
Lemon
Strawberries
Lemonade (or lemon soda alternative)
Blood oranges
Mint
Sugar
Vodka

Instructions

1. Add the sliced strawberries, raspberries, orange slices, and mint to a large pitcher.

2. Add in the rosé wine, vodka, lemon juice, sugar, and stir to combine.

3. Refrigerate for at least two hours (or ideally overnight) to allow the fruit time to infuse the sangria.

4. Add in the soda immediately before serving.

5. Serve over ice, and remember to scoop some of the fruit into each glass. 

Source: https://www.barleyandsage.com/pink-sangria-with-rose-wine/ 

You can’t beat a Christmas gin cocktail, and after a long day of celebrating, this one is a cracker with cranberries!

Delicious and simple to prepare, this Christmas cocktail is made with Prosecco, rhubarb, ginger gin, and cranberry juice to give it extra zip.

Ideal for a wind-down, this twist on the classic Tom Collins recipe is utterly delectable.

Ingredients

Prosecco

Rhubarb & ginger gin

Cranberry juice

Tonic water

Instructions

1. First, use a measuring jug to measure out one part rhubarb and ginger gin, followed by two parts Prosecco and one part cranberry juice.

2. Stir, pour into glasses, and top each glass with a splash of tonic water and a rosemary sprig.

Source: https://www.insidetherustickitchen.com/santas-spritz-christmas-cocktail/

A perfect end to a Christmas evening, this classic whisky sour is given a cinnamon maple twist. It’s an easy Christmas cocktail to make and can be personalised with your bourbon of choice.

While the cinnamon is optional, it adds a slight citrusy note that distinguishes the sour.

Ingredients

1 ½ ounce (3 tablespoons) of your bourbon of choice

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice

2 – 4 teaspoons maple syrup, to taste

Pinch ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker or mason jar two-thirds with ice.

2. Pour in the bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Securely fasten the lid and shake well.

3. Pour fresh ice into your cocktail glass and strain the cold whisky sour mixture into the glass.

Source: https://cookieandkate.com/cinnamon-maple-whiskey-sour-recipe/

Are you looking for more festive inspiration this year? Read our blog on Easy Christmas Lunch Ideas for 2022.