We all know that the Holidays aren't quite complete without a few festive cocktails to have in your hand at all of the fabulous parties you'll be attending this December. Now that finals are soon to be over and you're heading home, experiment a little bit with your liquor cabinet and some fruity, fresh ingredients. Here are a few of my favorite cocktails that are sure to get you through your long afternoons of shopping, too many family get-togethers, and really put the 'merry' in your Merry Christmas.
1. Love You, Mean It. This one is sure to bubble up your night.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 fantastic bottle of champagne, splurge on the good stuff
- 1 bottle of cranberry juice
- 1 carton of juicy raspberries
- A few fresh mint leaves
2. Gingerbread Martini. Just a warning, this one is addicting. Everyone loves gingerbread, so why not make a drink out of it?
INGREDIENTS:
For the gingerbread syrup:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 tbs. molasses
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
For the martini:
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1.5 ounces Kahlua
- 1.5 ounces Bailey's Irish Cream
- 3 tbs. gingerbread syrup (or to taste)
- 2.5 ounces half and half (plus about 2 tbs. for the rim)
- gingerbread cookies (for the rim and for garnish)(I like Pepperidge Farm)
- whipped cream (for garnish)
DIRECTIONS:
For the syrup:
- In a small saucepan, heat the water, brown sugar, molasses, ginger, and cinnamon on medium heat until the sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes).
For the martini:
- Crush about 2-3 small gingerbread cookies in a zip lock bag with a rolling pin. Place the crumbs in a saucer and set aside.
- Pour the 2 tablespoons of half and half into a small saucer. Dip the rims of the martini glasses into the half and half. Then dip into the gingerbread crumbs and set the glasses aside.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine, the vodka, Kahlua, Bailey's Irish Cream, gingerbread syrup, and the half and half. Shake well and pour into martini glasses. Place a dollop of whipped cream on top and then place a gingerbread cookie on top of the whipped cream and serve.
3. San Pellegrino Blood Orange Mojitos. You'll find yourself thirsty for this one day after day.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2.5 ounces light rum
- 4 ounces San Pellegrino Limonata
- 1.5 ounces simple syrup
- 2 blood oranges; cut in wedges
- 1 handful of mint leaves
- A pinch of sugar
DIRECTIONS:
- In a large bowl, combine blood orange wedges, mint leaves and a light sprinkle of sugar. Muddle all the ingredients together until most of the juice is extracted and the mint leaves are bruised.
- Distribute muddled oranges and mint leaves between two glasses. Fill with ice. Add rum, simple syrup and San Pellegrino Limonata. Stir and serve immediately.
4. Cranberry Ginger Fizz. Forget about Cranberry sauce, drink this instead.
INGREDIENTS:
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- ½ orange, cut into slices
- 1½ cups dry gin - Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater or Tangueray suggested
- 1 cup chilled Ginger Ale (or Ginger Beer for a more pronounced ginger flavor)
- 4 mint springs
DIRECTIONS:
- Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; pour off all but one cup of syrup, reserving any extra for another use.
- Heat the syrup to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Add the cranberries and simmer for 2-3 minutes until they just begin to burst. Remove from heat and let cool in syrup.
- Place 2 Tablespoons drained cranberries and 6 Tablespoons cranberry syrup in a large pitcher; add the lemon wedges and orange slices.
- Using a muddler or wooden spoon, vigorously mash the fruit.
- Stir in gin and let steep for at least 5 minutes.
- Strain into a medium pitcher.
- Fill 4 glasses with crushed ice and ¼ cup ginger ale.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then pour half the cranberry mixture into the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 seconds, strain liquid into two glasses. Repeat.
- Mound additional ice on top of each glass and garnish with 3 candied cranberries and a mint sprig
5. Peppermintini. You can't have Christmas without a little peppermint.
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 peppermint candy canes
- 3 tablespoons sugar + 2 tablespoons water
- 4 ounces white chocolate liqueur
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces half-and-half
- 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Peppermint Extract
DIRECTIONS:
- Place candy canes or peppermint candies in large resealable plastic bag. Close bag. Pound with rolling pin or heavy skillet until coarsely crushed. Or, process in food processor using on/off pulsing action.
- Mix 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons water in small shallow bowl until well blended. Dip rim of glass in sugar water mixture, then into crushed candies to lightly coat.
- Fill cocktail shaker two-thirds full with ice. Add white chocolate liqueur, half-and-half, vanilla vodka and peppermint extract; shake until well mixed and chilled. Strain into martini glasses. Serve immediately.
Drink, drink...drink a little more, and be merry! Enjoy!
