The festive season is here, and while we all love a good glass of champagne, there’s something truly magical about serving a signature cocktail to impress guests at your next holiday gathering.
Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, warming, or invigorating, we’ve got the perfect Christmas cocktails that will elevate your party to new heights.
From cozy winter warmers to sparkling showstoppers, here are our favorites to add a festive twist to your celebrations.
1. The Kentucky Joe by Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
For those who love coffee-based cocktails, the Kentucky Joe is a festive upgrade.
Created by Stephen Wheeler, head bartender at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, this cocktail combines the spicy notes of Angels Envy Rye whiskey with the rich depth of coffee flavors. Easy to make and sure to impress, it’s a must-try this season.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Angels Envy Rye
- 1 oz Liqueur 43
- 1 oz Mr. Black Coffee Liquor
- 0.5 oz Espresso
- 3 dashes Chocolate Bitters
- 3 espresso beans for garnish
Method:
Add ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with three espresso beans.
2. Frankly, My Dear
This cocktail brings a refreshing twist to the festive season. A perfect blend of tequila, peach, and Cointreau, the Frankly, My Dear is a playful mix between a margarita and a Bellini. It’s as great for a Christmas brunch as it is for an evening gathering.
Ingredients:
- 0.75 oz Cointreau
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz peach puree
- 3 oz sparkling wine
- 0.75 oz tequila
Method:
Add Cointreau, tequila, lemon juice, and peach puree to a shaker with ice. Shake, strain into a Collins glass over ice, top with prosecco, and garnish with a lemon slice.
3. Wintertime Love by Cotswolds Distillery
There’s something undeniably Christmas about whisky, and the Wintertime Love cocktail from Cotswolds Distillery perfectly embodies that winter warmth. With a blend of honeyed Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky, amaro, cranberry juice, and a dash of grapefruit bitters, it’s the ideal festive drink for sipping by the fire.
Ingredients:
- 45ml Cotswolds Distillery Signature Single Malt Whisky
- 15ml Amaro
- 15ml Lemon Juice
- 15ml Cranberry Juice
- 2 dashes Grapefruit Bitters
Method:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange zest and star anise.
4. The Mulled Wine Sour by Silent Pool
This twist on the classic gin sour incorporates mulled wine syrup to create a warm, festive look and taste. With the addition of Angostura bitters, it brings all the cozy flavors of Christmas into a single glass. A perfect cocktail to enjoy during colder evenings.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Silent Pool Gin
- 20ml Mulled wine syrup
- 20ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- 10ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 20ml egg white or vegan alternative
- Silent Pool Christmas mist
Method:
Shake all ingredients without ice first, then add ice and shake again. Double strain into a coupe glass, garnish with Silent Pool Christmas mist and a few drops of Angostura bitters on the foam.
5. The Speyside Vesper Martini by Eight Lands
Named after James Bond’s iconic love interest, the Vesper Martini is as glamorous as it is potent. With a combination of Eight Lands Organic Gin and Vodka, this martini redefines cocktail sophistication. A perfect choice for an elegant Christmas evening, it’s simple yet impactful.
Ingredients:
- ¾ oz Eight Lands Organic Gin
- ¾ oz Eight Lands Organic Vodka
- ¼ oz Dry white vermouth
- Lemon twist
Method:
Spray three sprays of lemon essence into a chilled martini glass. Stir gin, vodka, and vermouth with ice, then strain into the glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
6. Hot Rum Toddy
If you’re looking for a soothing, warming drink after a festive celebration, the Hot Rum Toddy is just what you need. Perfect for sipping during the quiet moments between Christmas and New Year, this cocktail combines Bacardi Gold Rum with honey, lemon, and hot water to create a comforting beverage with just the right amount of sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Bacardi Gold Rum
- 3 oz hot water
- ¼ oz honey
- 1 lemon wedge
Method:
Pour hot water into a tempered glass mug. Squeeze in lemon, add honey, and stir until dissolved. Add Bacardi Gold Rum, garnish with a cinnamon stick and a lemon slice.
7. The Celebration Elixir by The Berkeley Blue Bar
For those looking to truly impress their guests this Christmas, the Celebration Elixir is an elegant champagne cocktail that’s sure to dazzle. A blend of tequila, coconut berry syrup, and Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Rosé champagne, this cocktail is perfect for ringing in the festive season with style.
Ingredients:
- 35ml Tequila Blanco
- 40ml Coconut berry syrup (see recipe below)
- 10ml Lime
- 25ml Aquafaba/Egg white
- Champagne Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Rosé
Coconut Berry Cordial Ingredients:
- 50g raspberries
- 50g blueberries
- 100g coconut water
- 150g caster sugar
- 20g coconut purée
Method:
Blend all cordial ingredients and refrigerate. To make the cocktail, shake tequila, cordial, lime, and egg white. Strain into a coupette glass, top with champagne, and garnish with a raspberry.
Whether you’re looking to impress your guests with something sophisticated or serve up a warming drink to enjoy by the fire, these festive cocktails are sure to become the stars of your holiday celebrations.
Cheers to a season full of flavor and fun!
