Holiday Cocktail Roundup

My favourite time of year is upon us once again........St. Patrick's Day!.........Wait, what?....... Considering the Halloween festivities have ended it's due time to start getting in the Christmas spirit. I love a bloody good cocktail, and holiday parties with friends and family are a great way to enjoy them. So to get in the spirit I rounded up some fantastic looking concoctions. Some of these I've tried and tested, others just looked like a good excuse to test my bar-tending skills. I've also left some tips for mixing up a quick and creative cocktail if you have limited time or selection of alcohol.

Classic Champagne & Cranberries 

There is really not an easier one than this. Select your Champagne or sparkling wine of choice, freeze some cranberries, and add a couple of mint leaves.

Alternatives: Let the minors join in on the festivities and mix Perrier or Sprite with cranberry juice in a Champagne flute.

Blushing Mimosas 

If you enjoy the occasional Mimosa here and there like I do you'll enjoy this cheeky mixup quite a bit.

There are a couple of ways that I've done this one before so feel free to experiment.

1. Champagne / Orange Juice / Cranberry Juice
2. Champagne / Cranberry Juice
3. Champagne / Champagne... ... that's right.




Candy Cane Martini

This is a drink I found from nuggetmarket.com and it looks so amazing I can't wait to try it.

Basically there are 4 things you need:

1. 1.5 oz. Vodka (I prefer Grey Goose)
2. 1.5 oz. White Creme de Cacao
3. 1 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
4. Ice, Ice, Baby.

Hot Buttered Rye

1 Cup Heavy Cream

2 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup

1/4 Cup of Rye (Or Rum)

6 Tablespoons Hot Water

2 Tablespoons of Ginger Liqueur

Nutmeg

Beat heavy cream and maple syrup with an electric mixer at medium speed 2 minutes or until consistency of softened butter. Cover and chill 1 to 24 hours. Pour rye whiskey, hot water, and ginger liqueur into a 6-oz. heatproof cup. Top with about 1/4 cup maple-cream mixture and freshly grated nutmeg.

Quick Tips:

• Frozen Cranberries added to any basic wine or Champagne will keep it cool and classy without diluting 
• Feeling Chilly? Warm up a Hot Toddy with any Rye or Whiskey mixed with a bit of hot water and lemon
• Add mint leaves with Raspberries or Cranberries to dress up a dry Martini