Spreading Holiday Cheer With Festive Cocktails

What comes to mind when thinking of the holidays? For me, it's family, snow, bright lights, food and of course, tasty beverages! These delicious cocktails are sure to warm up even the chilliest of days throughout the holiday season. This year give your friends and patrons the gift of conversation and laugher over a nice, festive beverage.

Gingerbread Cookie
Created by David J. Montgomery

2 oz. Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon
3/4 oz. Ginger and Cinnamon Simple Syrup
3/4 oz. Frangelico
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
2 dashes Orange Bitters

Shake with ice, then strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.

Fireside Flip
Created by Ron Dollete

1 1/2 oz. Cynar
1 1/2 oz. Bowmore 12 Year Old
1 Whole Egg

Combine all ingredients and shake without ice (dry shake). Then shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and cinnamon.

Basil Hayden’s Spicy Yuletide Punch
Created by Brian Stewart, Los Angeles

1.5 oz. Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
1 oz. DeKuyper Ginger Liqueur
3/4 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 1/2 oz. Pear Juice
1/2 oz. Cinnamon Syrup

Add Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, ginger liqueur, lemon juice, pear juice and cinnamon syrup to a punch bowl, stir and refrigerate. When ready to serve add prosecco. Serve over ice in a small glass. Serves 2.

Winter Disaronno Smash
Created by Bacardi Portfolio Mixologist Manny Hinojosa

1 oz. Disaronno
1 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
2 oz. Perfect Purée Culinary Traditions Cranberry purée
1 oz. Perfect Purée Red Raspberry purée
1 1/2 oz. lime juice
1 small sprig of mint (muddle)
Fresh raspberries (optional), for garnish

In a mixing glass, muddle mint. Add the rest of the ingredients along with ice. Shake and strain into glass over new ice. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Jingle Bell Rocks
Created by Nicole Rheame of Mombo in Portsmouth, N.H., for Vermont Gold Vodka.

1 1/2 oz. Vermont Gold Vodka
3 oz. tonic water
1 oz. sparkling cider
4-5 muddled cranberries
1 sprig rosemary

In a shaker, muddle cranberries. Add ice and Vermont Gold Vodka and shake vigorously. Pour into a rocks glass and top with tonic water and sparkling cider. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

Mrs. Claus’ Wildside

1oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1oz. Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila
1oz. Pomegranate Juice
1oz. Cranberry Juice

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, shake, and strain into a lowball glass.

Warm Winter Berry Sangria
Created by EPIC Vodka

1, 750 ml Bottle of Red Wine (Cabernet Sauvignon)
1/2 Cup EPIC Cherry Vodka
2 Tablespoons Honey
1/2 Cup Frozen Cranberries
1/2 Cup Frozen Berry Medley (Cherries, Blueberries, Raspberries)
2 Cloves
2 Star Anise
1 Cinnamon Stick

Add all ingredients to a crock pot, stir to combine. Cover with lid, set crockpot to low and cook for four hours or set to high and cook for two hours to mull the flavors. Serve warm. Serves 6-8

Winter Star Nog
Created by SKYY Vodka

2 oz. SKYY Vodkaa