Christmas Cocktail Recipes to Impress Your Guests – News18

Last Updated:December 18, 2024, 21:40 IST

Elevate your festive celebrations with these expertly crafted Christmas cocktails, blending cozy warmth and vibrant flavors to impress your guests.

This festive season, elevate your celebrations with an array of delightful Christmas cocktails curated by expert mixologists. From cozy, warming classics to vibrant and refreshing blends, these recipes are perfect for impressing your guests. Whether you prefer the fruity charm of Winter Berry Wonderland or the spiced warmth of HIGH on Mulled Wine, there’s something for everyone. Featuring festive ingredients like cranberries, cinnamon, and citrus, each drink captures the holiday spirit. With simple steps and exquisite flavors, these cocktails promise to make your gatherings merry and bright. Cheers to a season of good taste and great memories!

Winter Berry Wonderland By Aryaan Sundaram, Mixologist, Monika Alcobev

Ingredients:

• 2 oz 1800 Tequila Reposado
• 1 oz Mixed Berry Puree (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries)
• 0.75 oz Lime Juice
• 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
• Mixed Berries & Mint (for garnish)

Method:

1. Muddle a few mixed berries in a shaker.
2. Add tequila, mixed berry puree, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake well with ice.
4. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with berries and mint.

Hendrick’s French 75

 Ingredients:

• Hendrick’s Original Gin 30ml
• Sugar Syrup 10ml
• Lemon juice 10ml

Garnish:

 Method:

• Add gin, sugar and lemon to a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice, shake well and fine strain into a flute.
• Top with champagne and garnish with a slice of cucumber.

Clausmopolitan By Aryaan Sundaram, Mixologist, Monika Alcobev

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Russian Standard Vodka
• 60 ml Pomegranate Juice
• 10 ml Lime Juice
• 15 ml Simple Syrup
• Tonic Water (to top up)

Method:

1. Combine vodka, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass.
3. Top with tonic water and garnish with a lime slice.

Jingle Berry Cooler By Aryaan Sundaram, Mixologist, Monika Alcobev

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
• 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice
• 20 ml Raspberry Syrup
• Ginger Ale (to top up)

Method:

1. Combine gin, lime juice, and raspberry syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass.
3. Top with ginger ale and garnish with fresh raspberries.
   

   Monkey Sundowner

The Monkey Sundowner is a refreshing, light cocktail that captures the essence of a relaxing evening drink. It combines the smooth richness of Monkey Shoulder with the sweetness of peach syrup and the tartness of lime juice, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile. The grapefruit shrub adds a tangy, slightly bitter finish, making it both refreshing and complex. The garnish of an edible flower adds an elegant, summery touch.

Ingredients:

• 60ml Monkey Shoulder
• 20ml peach syrup
• 20ml lime juice
• Grapefruit shrub (to top up)

Garnish:

 Method:

Shake the Monkey Shoulder, peach syrup, and lime juice with ice until well mixed. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Top up with grapefruit shrub and gently stir. Garnish with an edible flower for a visually stunning finish.

Cherry Whiskey Smash Recipe by Basab Paul, Founder & MD, Octaga Green

Fresh Cherries: 8-10 pitted

Master’s Imperial Whiskey: 2 ounces

Fresh Lemon Juice: 1 ounce

Simple Syrup: 1/2 ounce (or to taste)

Mint Leaves: 6-8, plus a few for garnish

Club Soda: 4 ounces

Method

1. Muddle the Ingredients:

In a shaker or sturdy glass, combine:

8-10 pitted fresh cherries

6-8 fresh mint leaves

1/2 ounce of simple syrup

Muddle well to release the flavors of the cherries and mint.

2. Add Whiskey and Lemon Juice:

Add:

2 ounces of Master’s Imperial Whiskey

1 ounce of fresh lemon juice

3. Shake:

Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.

4. Strain:

Double strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice, using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any solids.

5. Top with Club Soda:

Add 4 ounces of club soda and gently stir to combine.

6. Garnish:

Garnish with a sprig of mint and a cherry or two for a delightful presentation.

Festive Fireside Old Fashioned By Aryaan Sundaram, Mixologist, Monika Alcobev

Ingredients:

• 2 oz 1800 Tequila Añejo
• 0.25 oz Agave Syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Garnish: Cherry

Method:

1. Combine tequila, agave syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir well and strain into a glass over a large ice cube.
3. Garnish with an orange peel and cherry.

Sloe & Steady Christmas By Aryaan Sundaram, Mixologist, Monika Alcobev

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Hayman’s Sloe Gin
• 4 oz Hot Apple Cider
• 0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 Cinnamon Stick
• Garnish: Lemon Wheel and Cinnamon Stick

Method:

1. Heat apple cider until warm.
2. In a mug, combine gin and lemon juice.
3. Add warm apple cider and stir. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon wheel.

Cinnamon & Maple Old Fashioned By Samarth Gangthade, Assistant F&B Manager, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Bourbon Whiskey
• 15 ml Maple Syrup
• 2 dashes Aromatic Bitters
• 1 Cinnamon Stick (for infusing and garnish)
• Orange Peel (for garnish)

Method:

1. Add maple syrup, bitters, and a cinnamon stick to a mixing glass. Gently muddle.
2. Add bourbon and ice; stir for 20–30 seconds.
3. Strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel and cinnamon stick.

High on Mulled Wine By Samarth Gangthade, Assistant F&B Manager, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle Red Wine (Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 120 ml Brandy
• 3 tbsp Honey (adjust to taste)
• 2–3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 4–5 Cloves
• 2–3 Star Anise
• Orange, Lemon, and Apple Slices (optional for garnish)

Method:

1. Warm red wine over low heat. Do not boil.
2. Add spices and citrus slices. Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes.
3. Stir in brandy and honey. Strain into mugs and garnish as desired.

Ballantine’s Whisky Flip

Ingredients:

• 35 ml Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel Whisky
• 15 ml Amaretto Liqueur
• 20 ml Double Cream
• 1 Whole Egg
• Nutmeg (for garnish)

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
2. Strain into a chilled glass and dust with nutmeg.

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 150 ml Jacob’s Creek Sparkling
• 2–3 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 0.5 tsp Sugar (or cube)
• Long Spiral Lemon Zest (for garnish)

Method:

1. Mix sugar and bitters in a chilled glass. Add a splash of sparkling wine to combine.
2. Pour in the remaining sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon swirl.

Ochre Sunset Bliss By John Royerr, Founder of Ochre Spirits

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Ochre Peach and Cherry Vodka
• 80 ml Fresh Orange Juice
• 20 ml Peach Nectar (or Puree)
• 10 ml Lime Juice
• Splash of Soda or Sparkling Water
• Orange Slice (for garnish)

Method:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice. Add vodka, orange juice, peach nectar, and lime juice.
2. Stir gently and add a splash of soda. Garnish with an orange slice.

The Red Christmas Baagh and Tonic by Baagh Gin

Ingredients:

• 90 ml Baagh Indian Craft Gin
• 30 ml Cranberry Juice
• 30 ml Pomegranate Juice
• 120 ml Indian Tonic Water
• Cherries or Cranberries (for garnish)

Method:

1. Shake gin, cranberry juice, and pomegranate juice with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled glass with ice. Top with tonic water and garnish.

Camikara Cocktail Recipe – Winter in Solan

Inspired by gooseberries from Solan Valley in Himachal Pradesh. This refreshing drink features tangy gooseberry liqueur, enhanced with a touch of coriander leaf for added freshness. The unique flavors of the gooseberries beautifully complement the rich, smooth notes of Camikara Rum, creating a harmonious blend that highlights the rum’s depth while evoking the cool, invigorating essence of Solan’s winter.

 Recipe

• 45ml Camikara+ 15ml Fresh Lime Juice+ 45 ml Gooseberry liqueur+ 5-6 Fresh Coriander leaves+ Soda
• Glassware- Long stem goblet
• Garnish:-Amla candy and Coriander stick

Morpheus Sidecar

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Morpheus Brandy
• 0.75 oz Orange Liqueur
• 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• Garnish: Orange Twist

Method:

1. Combine brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Morpheus Metropolitan

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Morpheus Brandy
• 1 oz Vermouth
• 0.5 tsp Simple Syrup
• 2 dashes Aromatic Bitters

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well.
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.

Absolut Mistletoe

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Absolut Vodka
• 90 ml Cranberry Juice (sweetened)
• 10 ml Lime Juice
• Lemon-Lime Soda
• 1 Sprig Red Currant
• Ice Cubes

Recipe:

1. Fill a rock glass with ice cubes.
2. Add Absolut Vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
3. Top with lemon-lime soda.
4. Garnish with red currant.

Cranberry Punch

Ingredients:

• 25 ml Absolut Vodka (infused with cranberry)
• 25 ml Lillet Rose
• 25 ml Lime Juice
• 25 ml Simple Syrup
• Soda Water
• 1 Sprig Rosemary
• Ice Cubes

To Infuse Vodka:

Blend 750 ml Absolut Vodka with 1 cup fresh cranberries for 1 minute and strain.

Recipe:

1. Fill a rock glass with ice cubes.
2. Add cranberry-infused vodka, Lillet Rose, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Stir and top with soda water.
4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.