10 Boozy Christmas Cocktails

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, but if you run out of white, I will take red. If you haven’t caught on by now, I really really love Christmas. My whole life has been transformed and is extra merry and bright this time of year.

With Christmas just a few short days away, I thought I would share some festive Christmas cocktails that would be perfect for the next few days. Whether you have a holiday party, family party, Christmas day brunch, or just want to be full of Christmas spirits.

Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzer

• 2 1/2 cups orange juice
• 2 1/2 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups Ginger ale or Sprite
• 2 cups vodka
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
• juice of one large lemon
• 1/4 cup cranberries or maraschino cherries (or BOTH!)
• rosemary sprigs (garnish)

In a large pitcher or punch bowl combine all of the ingredients. Serve over ice and garnish with cranberries or maraschino cherries and a rosemary sprig.

Peppermint Bark Mimosas

• 1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips, melted
• 3 candy canes, crushed
• 6 oz. peppermint schnapps divided
• 1 bottle champagne or Prosecco
• 6 candy canes, whole

Pour melted chocolate onto a small plate. Pour crushed candy canes onto a separate plate. Dip rims of champagne flutes first in chocolate, then in crushed candy canes to coat.

Add an ounce of peppermint schnapps to each glass, then top with champagne or prosecco. Garnish with full candy canes before serving.

Sugar Cookie Martini

For the martini

• 1/2 c. whole milk
• 1/4 c. Baileys
• 2 oz. vanilla vodka
• 2 oz. amaretto
• Ice

For the rim

• 1/2 c. vanilla frosting
• 1/4 c. sprinkles
• Pre-made sugar cookie dough or sugar cookies (optional garnish)

Spread a thin layer of frosting onto rim of two martini glasses. Pour ¼ cup sprinkles onto a small plate then dip rims in sprinkles to coat.

In a cocktail shaker, combine milk, Baileys, vodka, and amaretto. Add ice and shake until cold. Pour into glasses and garnish rim with a cookie.

The Grinch Cocktail

• 2 ounces midori liqueur
• 1 ounce clear rum or triple sec*
• 4 ounces lemon lime soda
• 1 maraschino cherry

Fill a lowball glass with ice. Add midori liqueur and rum. Top with lemon lime soda, stir to combine. Top with a maraschino cherry and enjoy.

Pomegranate Rosemary Moscow Mule

• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 4 ounces vodka
• 3 ounces pomegranate juice
• 9 ounces Schweppes Ginger Ale
• pomegranate seeds for garnish

Pinch a few leaves off one sprig of rosemary (about 10). Set aside sprigs for garnish. Place into a pint glass and bruise leaves with a muddler to release the flavor. Add lime juice, vodka, and pomegranate juice. Stir together. Set aside.

Fill two copper mugs with ice, about 2/3 full. Split juice/vodka mixture among the two mugs. Fill mugs with Schweppes Ginger Ale, to taste. If you want it stronger, add a few splashes. If not, fill to the top (max of 4.5 ounces per mug). Garnish with one sprig of rosemary and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds per mug.

White Christmas Mojito

• juice of 1 lime
• 8 leaves mint
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons white rum
• 1 tablespoon coconut rum
• 1/4 cup canned coconut milk
• sparkling water for topping
• pomegranate seeds for serving

In a glass, muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves until the leaves have broken down. Fill the glass half way with ice.

Combine the white rum, coconut rum, and coconut milk and pulse until smooth. Pour over the ice and stir to combine. Top with sparkling water, mint and pomegranate. Drink!

Eggnog Amaretto Cocktail

• 8 oz Eggnog
• 1 oz Amaretto
• Ice

Combine Eggnog and Amaretto, pour over ice. Sprinkle with nutmeg if desired.

Mistletoe Shots

• Lime wedge, for rimming glasses
• Red sanding sugar, for rimming glasses
• 1 c. water
• 2 (3-oz.) packets lime Jell-O
• 8 oz. vodka or tequila
• Whipped cream, for garnish
• Mint leaves, for garnish
• Red Hots, for garnish

Run a lime wedge around the rim of each shot glass then dip each shot glass into red sanding sugar.

Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Once bubbling, stir in lime Jell-O, stirring until completely dissolved. Turn off heat. Pour in vodka or tequila, mixing until thoroughly combined. 

Pour into a large measuring cup, small pitcher or another glass so it’s easier to pour into shot glasses. Pour Jell-O mixture into each shot glass. Place shot glasses into refrigerator until Jell-O sets, about 2 hours.

Garnish with whipped cream, mint leaves, and Red Hot candies before serving.

Gingerbread White Russian

• 4 T. Kahlua
• 3 T. milk or half-&-half
• 1 ½ T. vanilla vodka
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• small pinch ground cloves
• small pinch ground nutmeg

Place vodka, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a cocktail glass; stir until combined. Add Kahlua and then milk; stir. Add ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or gingerbread cookie, if desired.

Peppermint Patty Cocktail

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix
• 1/4 cup peppermint schnapps, plus more as needed
• 1/4 cup creme de cacao
• whipped cream
• sprinkles

In a saucepan heat 2 cups of milk over medium heat, just until steamy. About 5 minutes. Once milk starts to steam whisk in hot chocolate mix. Continue cooking 2-3 minutes or until hot chocolate is desired temperature. Do not boil.

Remove from heat and whisk in 1/4 cup of peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao. Taste. If desired, add more schnapps. Ladle mixture into glasses, top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Serve.

I think I am most excited to try the pomegranate Moscow mule or peppermint bark mimosas! How about you??

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