Tis the season for Christmas cocktail recipes: 5 festive drinks

It's that time of year again, the Christmas decorations are up, caroling is in full-swing, but more importantly, it's time to release your inner bartender with these 5 Christmas cocktail recipes. 

 

Strawberry Martini; 'Red Reindeer' 

Difficulty: Beginner

Serves: 2

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Serving Time: 5 minutes

 

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What do I need? 

 

• 4 large fresh strawberries (sliced evenly) - decoration
• Handful of fresh, wild strawberries
• 1 dash of dry Vermouth
• 2 sprigs of fresh mint/peppermint leaves (picked)
• 125 ml of Vodka/Gin
• 2/3 handfuls of ice cubes

 

How do I make it? 

 

1. Place your two martini glasses and cocktail shaker into your freezer to chill for approximately 25 minutes. 

2. Remove the martini glasses and cocktail shaker once both are thoroughly chilled. 

3. Add a few splashes of dry Vermouth into each glass and swill evenly. 

4. Place 2 of the sliced decorative strawberries into the base of each glass

5. Add the remaining handful of fresh wild strawberries and mint sprigs into the still-cool cocktail shaker. 

6. Squash the strawberries in the cocktail shaker with the end of a rolling pin or back of a fork. Add the ice cubes and gin/vodka.

7. Shake well and strain into each martini glass for immediate serving. 

 

Vanilla White Chocolate Cocktail; 'A White Christmas' 

Difficulty: Moderate

Servings: 2/4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Serving Time: 5 minutes

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What do I need? 

• 60ml Vanilla flavoured Vodka
• 60ml White Chocolate Liqueur 
• 30ml Creme de Cacao White Liqueur
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Granulated or Coarse Sugar
• Light Syrup or Honey for Rim Glaze
• Crushed Ice or Ice Cubes

 

How do I make it?

1. Add a small amount of honey or light syrup in a small bowl.

2. Place the granulated or coarse sugar in a separate small bowl.

3. Brush the martini glass' rim with a light coating of syrup/honey.

4. Press the rim of the martini glass into the bowl containing sugar and twist to get an even layer of coating around the rim. 

5. In a cocktail shaker, add the ice, vodka, liqueur and Creme de Cacao.

6. Shake well and then strain into the neatly coated martini glass. Voila.

 

Orange & Cranberry Spritza; Non-alcoholic Stocking Filler

Difficulty: Beginner

Serves: 2

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Serving Time: 2 minutes

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What do I need?

• 250ml smooth orange juice
• 250ml smooth cranberry juice
• 200ml sparkling elderflower tonic water
• 1 fresh orange

How do I make it? 

1. Combine the orange juice and cranberry juice into a large measuring jug.

2. Slowly add the sparkling tonic water and the spritza will start to take form as the drink begins to fizz. 

3. Slice the orange into slices or thin wedges and either place on the rim of your glass or within the jug for added citrus flavour. 

 

Irish Coffee; Warming Festive Favourite

Difficulty:  Moderate

Serves: 1

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Serving Time: 7 minutes

 

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What do I need? 

• 350ml of boiling, freshly-brewed coffee
• 350ml of boiling water
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons of Irish Whiskey
• 50ml Heavy Whipped Cream or double cream
• One tall heat-proof glass
• Grated Nutmeg (optional)

How do I make it? 

1. Fill the glass with the boiling water and leave to stand in order to pre-heat the glass. Once warm, empty the glass. 

2. Pour the boiling brewed coffee into the now-empty tall glass until it is 3/4 full. 

3. Dissolve the brown sugar into the coffee and stir. 

4. Using a tablespoon, slowly pour the whipped cream onto the back of the spoon in order to prevent the cream sinking into the coffee.

5. Your Irish Coffee should now have a floating (and hopefully even) topping to fill the remaining 1/4 of the glass. To add extra festivity, add grated nutmeg to further compliment the nutty taste Irish Coffee offers.  

Sambuca & Eggnog Cocktail; "A Winter Night"

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 1

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Serving Time: 2 minutes

 

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What do I need?

• 45ml Black Sambuca
• 170m Eggnog
• Star Anise

How do I make it? 

1. Mix Black Sambuca into the eggnog in a large glass.

2. Stir well.

3. Add Star Anise for decoration and to offer a more intense liquorice flavour.

Stay safe this Christmas with correct footwear

With the majority of Christmas spent in or around the kitchen, make sure you have the appropriate slip resistant footwear to ensure you have a joy-filled and safe Christmas.

 

Don't let spilt drinks become a hazard and see our styles of slip-resistant bartender shoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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