12 Cocktails of Christmas

A signature cocktail is a must at any holiday get-together. Try one of these spirited cocktails and let the party begin!

Gingerbread Martini, Mississippi Bourbon Punch, Pear-Basil Sipper, Cranberry-Gin and Tonic

Gingerbread Martini
Dip glass rims in ginger liqueur and crushed gingersnaps. Store glassed in freezer up to 2 days. Stir together 2 Tbsp. ginger liqueur, 2 Tbsp. vanilla-citrus liqueur, 1 1/2 Tbsp. coffee-flavored rum, 1 Tbsp. honey, and 2 tsp. whipping cream in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup ice cubes; cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish, if desired, with a partially split vanilla bean brushed with liqueur and rolled in sugar.

Mississippi Bourbon Punch
Pour 2 (750-milliliter) chilled bottles dry muscadine wine, 1 (12-oz.) chilled bottle grenadine, 1 1/2 cups chilled bourbon, 1 cup chilled fresh orange juice, 1 cup chilled cranberry juice, and 1/3 cup fresh lime juice into a punch bowl. Stir in 8 cups ice cubes, 1 (12-oz.) chilled can lemon-lime soft drink, and 1 cup chilled club soda. Garnish, if desired, with orange slices and red and green muscadine halves.

Pear-Basil Sipper
Muddle 3 fresh basil leaves and 1/2 tsp. sugar in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup crushed ice, 4 Tbsp. pear nectar, and 3 Tbsp. pear-flavored vodka. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds). Pour into a glass, and top with 3 Tbsp. lemon-lime soft drink. Garnish, if desired, with a fresh basil sprig and pear slice.

Orange-Cranberry Gin and Tonic
Muddle 1 (2-inch) orange rind strip, 1 Tbsp. fresh cranberries, and 1 tsp. sugar in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup ice cubes, 3 Tbsp. gin, and 1 Tbsp. fresh orange juice. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds). Pour into an 8-oz. glass; top with 1/4 cup tonic water. Serve immediately.

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Capital Eggnog, Merry Berry Christmas Sugar, Hot Buttered Rye, Sparkling Charleston Cosmopolitan

Capital Eggnog
Cook 6 cups milk, 2 cups heavy cream, and 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes or until steaming (about 150°). Reduce heat to low. Whisk together 12 pasteurized egg yolks and 2 cups sugar in a large saucepan until smooth. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until mixture reaches at least 160° (about 25 minutes). Whisk milk mixture into egg mixture. Cool 30 minutes; transfer to a pitcher. Cover and chill 3 to 24 hours. Pour desired amount of praline or bourbon liqueur into each glass, if desired. Top with eggnog. Sprinkle with freshly ground nutmeg.

Merry Berry Christmas Sugar
Muddle 5 fresh raspberries, 4 fresh blueberries, 2 fresh blackberries, 1 1/2 Tbsp. light agave nectar, 5 fresh mint leaves, and 2 Tbsp. lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Stir in 1 cup crushed ice and 6 Tbsp. water. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (7 to 10 seconds). Pour mixture into a 16-oz. glass, and top with ginger ale. Garnish, if desired.

Hot Buttered Rye
Beat 1 cup heavy cream and 2 Tbsp. maple syrup with an electric mixer at medium speed 2 minutes or until consistency of softened butter. Cover and chill 1 to 24 hours. Pour 1/4 cup rye whiskey, 6 Tbsp. hot water, and 2 Tbsp. ginger liqueur into a 6-oz. heatproof cup. Top with about 1/4 cup maple-cream mixture and freshly grated nutmeg.

Sparkling Charleston Cosmopolitan
Combine 1 cup crushed ice, 3 Tbsp. vodka, 1 1/2 Tbsp. peach nectar, 1 Tbsp. orange liqueur, and 1 Tbsp. white cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker. Squeeze juice from 2 lemon wedges into shaker. Place wedges in shaker. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a 6- to 8-oz. glass; discard lemon wedges and ice. Top with 2 Tbsp. sparkling white wine. Garnish, if desired, with an orange slice.

Related: Tasty Food Gifts for Christmas

Apple-Ale Wassail, Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade, Cherry Frost, Pecan

Apple-Ale Wassail
Stir together 2 (12-oz.) bottles ale, 2 cups apple cider, 1 cup port, 1 cup lemonade, 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, 1 diced apple, 2 whole allspice, 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, and 1/8 tsp. ground cardamom in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 3 hours or until hot. Remove diced apple, if desired. Ladle into mugs. Garnish, if desired.

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade
Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 split vanilla bean, 3 small fresh rosemary sprigs, and 3 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a light boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool 30 minutes. Pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, discarding solids. Stir in 3 cups fresh lemon juice (about 26-30 lemons, or 3 containers frozen lemon juice may be substituted). Cover and chill 3 to 48 hours. Stir just before serving over ice. Garnish, if desired, with fresh rosemary sprigs and lemon slices.

Cherry Frost
Combine 3 Tbsp. black cherry liqueur, 1 Tbsp. brandy, and 1 cup crushed ice in a cocktail shaker. Cpver with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a Champagne flute, and top with 4 Tbsp. sparkling white wine. Garnish, if desired, with maraschino cherries.

Pecan "Milk" Punch
Bake 1 cup chopped pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring once. Cool 10 minutes. Process pecans, 1/2 cup cane syrup, 1 Tbsp. cream of coconut, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1/8 tsp. kosher salt in a food processor 30 to 60 seconds or until smooth. With processor running, pour 1 cup water through food chute. Press mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, using back of spoon. Discard solids. Cover and chill 3 to 24 hours. Stir in 1/4 cup bourbon just before serving. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired, with sweetened whipped cream and fresh mint leaves.

Don't See a Cocktail You Love? We Have 15 More Festive Recipes You Can Try!

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