Holiday Drinks

It’s our 2nd annual Holiday Drinks post. We started the tradition last year and it basically goes a little something like this…I search Pinterest for some delicious looking beverages, the two of us along with our husbands get together to try all the deliciousness. The guys play the role of bartenders. As the alcohol flows so do the stories and they get a little less filtered with each sip. It’s a good time. Definitely a tradition will keep.

Here is what was on the menu this year:

First up: White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

We had a bit on an Instagram vs Reality moment here but it tasted good. Paige felt like it was a little like toothpaste so maybe cut down on the peppermint schnapps if thats not your thing. Also is you want it to be white make sure you get WHITE chocolate liqueur. Small detail that Zach overlooked.

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 ounces white chocolate liqueur (Godiva)
• 1.5 ounces vanilla vodka
• 1 ounce creme de cacao (clear/white)
• 1 ounce half and half
• .5 ounce peppermint schnapps
• White chocolate syrup and crushed peppermints to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Begin by preparing your martini glass. Rim the edge of the glass with white chocolate syrup; then dip it into crushed peppermint candies or crushed candy canes. Set glass aside.
2. Add the white chocolate liqueur, vanilla vodka, creme de cacao, half and half, and peppermint schnapps to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and then strain into your prepared martini glass.

Next, Hot Apple Cider Buttered Whiskey. I picked this one for the guys but it was goooood y’all. I’m not a whiskey kind of girl but I’ll definitely be making this one again. I think it was the favorite for sure.

This recipe takes some prep the beforehand so keep that in mind.

INGREDIENTS:

Hot Buttered Whiskey Mix

• 3/4 cup Butter, Softened
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla
• 2 teaspoons Orange Zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoons Nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoons Allspice
• 1/2 teaspoons Ground Ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 2 cups Brown Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Honey

To Assemble Hot Apple Cider Buttered Whiskeys

• Hot Apple Cider
• Whiskey
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Orange Peel

INSTRUCTIONS:

Hot Buttered Whiskey Mix

1. Cream together butter, vanilla, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and salt, until well combined.
2. Beat in brown sugar, and honey. Scrape sides of bowl frequently.

Hot Apple Cider Buttered Whiskeys

1. Place 2 teaspoons hot butter whiskey mix in an 8 ounce mug. Dissolve mix using hot apple cider. Stir in 1 shot of your favorite whiskey.
2. Garnish glass with a cinnamon stick and orange peel.

Christmas Mimosas. This one is refreshing and simple to prepare. I really loved the addition of pineapple juice. Definitely making this one again too.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 bottles of chilled champagne
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups orange pineapple juice
• Sliced limes and frozen cranberries (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

For individual Christmas Mimosas:

1. While holding your champagne flute at a slight tilt, fill the glass about half  way with champagne.
2. Fill the rest of the glass with cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice.
3. Garnish with with cranberries and lime slices.

To make Christmas Mimosa Punch:

1. Combine champagne and juices in large pitcher or punch bowl.
2. Add frozen cranberries and lime slices.
3. Serve immediately.

Pomegranate Paloma: Great for those who don’t like overly sweet drinks!

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• 2 teaspoons simple syrup
• 3 Tbsp (1 1/2 oz) white tequila (I’m using Piedra Azul Blanco, 100% agave)
• 1/4 cup club soda
• Kosher salt for glass rim
• Sprig rosemary for garnish

METHOD

1 Salt the glass: Brush the rim of an 8 ounce glass with lime juice, then dip the rim into kosher salt. Put ice in the glass.

2 Mix the drink: Stir together the pomegranate juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and tequila.

3 Pour into glass: Pour the mixture into the salt-rimmed glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary

Last up, The Mistletoe Kiss

This one is so pretty and tasted great. If you send your husband to the store make sure he gets fresh cranberries and not dried cranberries. Another minor detail.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP*:

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 sprig rosemary

FOR A SMALL BATCH:

• 6 oz vodka (I love Tito’s)
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 oz rosemary simple syrup
• Club soda
• Handful of fresh cranberries (whole frozen berries are ok)
• 2 sprigs of rosemary

FOR A LARGE BATCH:

• 30 oz vodka (3 ¾ cups or approx 1 liter from which you’ll have a couple ounces leftover)
• 5 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 10 oz (1 ¼ cups) rosemary simple syrup (triple the recipe above)
• 1 liter club soda
• ½ bag of fresh cranberries (whole frozen berries are ok)
• 10 sprigs of rosemary

INSTRUCTIONS

To make the rosemary simple syrup: Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil while stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Allow the mixture to boil for 5 minutes then remove from the heat and drop in the sprig of rosemary. Allow the rosemary to steep for about 15 minutes and then discard the rosemary. Pour the simple syrup into a glass jar or bottle, cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate.

To make a small batch: Pour vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a drink shaker filled with ice. Cover and shake well to blend. Divide drink mix between 2 rocks glasses filled with ice, straining the ice from the shaker as you pour. You’ll only want to fill the glasses ¾-full. Top with club soda and a few cranberries for garnish. Add a sprig of rosemary to use as a stirrer.

To make a large batch: Pour vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a pitcher filled with ice and stir well to combine.

When ready to serve, pour the drink mix into an ice-filled rocks glass to ¾-full. Top each drink with club soda and a few cranberries for garnish. Add a sprig of rosemary to each drink as they are served to use as a stirrer.

If you make the large batch before your guests arrive, be sure to keep the pitcher in the fridge to ensure the drinks are icy cold when they arrive.

Make entertaining a little easier with some of the items below. Click any picture to shop.

Cheers to the best time of the year!