The holidays are all about gathering with friends and family! We’re ready to let loose and enjoy each other’s company. There’s a special feeling in the air—we’re looking forward to time off, we’re more relaxed, and ready to indulge. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, a potluck with friends, or even organizing a work event, everyone knows that this time of year the merry-making is at its finest and that means the drinks keep on flowing. Cocktail hour plays an important role in making sure the jovial ambiance is on point at your event and that it stays like that the whole way through. It’s a host’s duty to make sure their guests are always ready to raise a glass, say cheers, and take pleasure in the most wonderful time of the year.
No celebration is complete without an array of delicious drinks to compliment the feasting and revelry. This holiday season, we’re here to ensure you and your guests get to indulge in a collection of cocktails that are exceptional. These spirited recipes are guaranteed to add a polished element to your evening of entertaining. With classic hits and seasonal favourites, like a Caesar and Sangria, as well as recipes with a twist that give them an extra shot of holiday cheer, you could set up a bar and put your mixologist skills on display. You can even make the evening interactive by setting up a self-serve station with all the ingredients prepped and step-by-step instructions available. A self-serve station can be helpful and thoughtful, as guests can customize their drinks to their liking (be sure to make some mocktail options available!). The holidays are all about evenings filled with good company, gifts, and glee. A fun, yet elegant collection of festive cocktail recipes is a delectable and entertaining way to be sure of that!
So get ready to serve, sip and dazzle, with a brilliant selection of cocktails for your next holiday gathering!
Yuletide White Sangria
Could the taste of cranberry and thym make you think of the holidays more? Sangria is a crowd-pleaser all year round, and with a touch of seasonal flavours, it’s perfect to share and keep things simple.
- 1 Granny Smith apple
- 1 Braeburn apple
- 1 heaping cup of fresh cranberries
- 1 large sprig thyme
- 1 bottle Pinot Grigio
- ½ cup white grape juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar + ½ cup for garnish
- 1 can club soda
-
Chop the apples into small cubes.
-
In a large pitcher, combine all of the ingredients.
-
Mix it well, so that the sugar fully dissolves.
-
Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill. During this time the sugar will fully dissolve and the rosemary will infuse into your sangria.
-
While the sangria chills, make the garnish. To do this, simply place about ½ cup of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Lightly wet the thym and then give it a good shake to remove any excess water. Roll the sprigs in the sugar until they are coated as you please.
-
Once the pitcher has chilled for about an hour, it should be ready to serve.
Classic Caesar
For a classic Canadian celebration, a Caesar topped with candied bacon makes for an easy cocktail with an intriguing garnish. Bonus: You can serve it at a holiday brunch just as easily as at an evening cocktail!
Recommended Glass: Whiskey Tumbler
- 3 cups Mott’s Clamato juice
- 1 tablespoon horseradish powder
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 oz vodka or to taste
- Cracked black pepper to taste
- Squeeze of fresh lime
- Hot sauce optional
- Ice
- Bacon
- Seasoning recipe follows
- Pickled green beans
- Asparagus
- Grilled Shrimp
- Celery stalks
- Radishes
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp celery salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
-
In a large pitcher add all of the ingredients (Clamato juice through hot sauce). Stir to combine.
-
Rub the outer edge of 2 glasses with a lime wedge and roll in seasoning. Add a few cubes of ice to each glass and pour the tomato mixture over.
-
Garnish with the bacon, asparagus, celery stalks, grilled shrimp and radish. Serve immediately.
It’s Party Thyme
Glamorous and sophisticated, this cocktail is perfect for your posh friends. They’ll love its stylishly merry presentation. This gorgeous drink is sure to be a conversation piece!
- 2 oz Jardesca California Aperitiva
- 1 oz Hendrick’s gin
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- ½ oz egg whites
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 sprig thyme
- Dried rosebud for garnish
- Angostura bitters for garnish
-
Dry shake all ingredients together to froth the eggs, then shake with ice to release the herbs’ aromatics.
-
Fine strain into a coupe.
-
Garnish with thyme, rosemary, dried rosebud, and a few drops of Angostura bitters.
Kentucky Mule
You can’t go wrong with the bitter-sweet taste of a Moscow mule. The sweet ying of the ginger and tangy yang of the lemon creates a cocktail with perfect balance. What makes this a holiday drink? We’ve swapped in a spicy bourbon for the vodka to give it an extra warming taste just right for winter.
- ½ oz lime juice
- 2 oz bourbon
- 6 oz ginger beer
-
Pour lime juice into a Moscow Mule mug and drop in one of the remaining slices.
-
Add 2 or 3 ice cubes, then pour in the bourbon and fill with cold ginger beer (not ginger ale).
-
If available on hand, serve with a stirring stick.
The Dashing Millionaire
Think retro-glam style and high-society. This cocktail isn’t for a casual gathering or a quiet evening in. Offer it to your guests when everyone is dressed to the nines and all the fanfare is on display.
Recommended Glass: Voodoo Martini Glass
- 2 oz whiskey
- ½ oz Grand Marnier
- 1 dash grenadine
- 1 orange worth of zest
- 1 egg white
-
Shake ingredients well with cracked ice, and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
-
*A note on the egg: If you are making several of these, one egg white for every two drinks will work fine.
A Classic Hot Toddy
For the whiskey connoisseur, a traditional Hot Toddy that is sure to warm you up on even the coldest nights of the year. A great way to wind down the evening with good conversation, you can serve your Hot Toddy in our Dublin Whiskey Tumbler.
Recommended Glass: Dublin Whiskey Tumbler
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz honey
- Lemon juice
- 4 dashes bitter syrup
- 1 tea bag Orange Pekoe tea
- 1 orange slice caramelized (for garnish)
- 1 apple slice dehydrated (for garnish)
-
Boil one tea pot of water and steep tea bag inside. Set aside.
-
Add honey and stir until it dissolves.
-
Add bourbon, lemon, and bitter. Stir until combined.
-
Pour into whiskey tumbler.
-
Place orange and apple slices along rim.
Here to make sure you have a holly jolly holiday season with a touch of glitz and glam,
Hi if you please i need recipe without alcohol ill be thankful
Hi! You can find some mocktial recipes here: https://blog.stokesstores.com/refreshing-cocktails-for-the-long-weekend/
Hope you like them!