Best Holiday Cocktails

By Gayot Editors

Festive Cocktail Recipes for the Holidays

If there is ever a time for a drink, the holidays are it. GAYOT has selected the best spirit and wine-based recipes that offer a twist on classic cocktails.

Whip up one (or all) for weathering boisterous family gatherings, enjoying a reprieve from never-ending travel plans, keeping cozy with loved ones or toasting to the start of another year.

1. Banana Flip

Banana Flip

Forgo the eggnog this year and get ready to flip for this frothy, spicy cocktail.

INGREDIENTS:
– 1 oz. Ron Zacapa 23 Rum
– 1 oz. heavy cream
– 0.75 oz. Donn’s Spices #2
– 0.75 oz. Giffard Banane du Brésil
– 0.5 oz. Jagermeister
– 1 whole egg

METHOD:
• Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
• Strain into a Collins glass.

> Courtesy of The Spare Room, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.

2. Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini

Perk up with this perfect post-meal libation during the holidays.

INGREDIENTS:
– 2 Parts elit by Stolichnaya
– 1 Part Galliano Ristretto
– 1/2 Part Fresh Coffee
– Gomme Syrup (Optional)

METHOD:
• Shake all ingredients and double strain into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with a chocolate dusted “e” and enjoy.

3. Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman

Ring in the New Year with this sparkling pink cocktail.

INGREDIENTS:
– 3/4 oz. Stoli Elit
– 1/2 oz. Combier Pêche de Vigne
– 2 oz. Champagne Rosé
– 1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lemon
– 1 bar spoon simple syrup
– 2 raspberries
– 1/2 oz. egg white

METHOD:
• Muddle, whip, shake and strain into a Champagne flute.
• Top with two ounces of Champagne Rosé and rose petals.

> Courtesy of THE Blvd at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, U.S.A.

4. Mexican Hot Chocolate

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Spice up your winter with this boozy version of Mexican Hot Chocolate.

INGREDIENTS:
– 2 oz. Anejo Tequila
– 1/4 oz. cinnamon syrup
– 1/4 oz. orgeat
– Hot chocolate*
– Dusting of powdered cayenne pepper

* Hot Chocolate
500 ml. organic milk
– 250 ml. organic cream
– 1 tsp. smoked kosher salt (Maldon)
– 2 Mexican chocolate disks (Abuelita/Ibarra)

METHOD:
• Chop up chocolate.
• Bring milk, cream, salt and chocolate to a simmer.
• Once chocolate is dissolved, remove from heat and let cool.
• Pour tequila, cinnamon syrup and orgeat in a coffee mug and top with hot chocolate and dusting of cayenne pepper.
• Store remaining hot chocolate in refrigerator and only reheat what you need.

5. Jingle Juice

Jingle Juice

This easy, light and festive cocktail is sure to be a hit at any holiday party.

INGREDIENTS:
– 1 oz. Figenza Fig Vodka
– 2 oz. rosé wine
– Splash of seltzer or sprite

METHOD:
• Pour Figenza Fig Vodka and rosé wine in a chilled flute.
• Stir, top with seltzer or Sprite and garnish with a lemon twist.

> Courtesy of Monarch Rooftop Lounge, New York, NY, U.S.A.

6. Hacienda Holiday

Hacienda Holiday

Impress your party guests with this ultimate holiday cocktail with flavors of gingerbread, chocolate and coffee.

INGREDIENTS:
– 1 1/2 oz. Patron Reposado
– 1 1/2 oz. Cold Press Coffee
– 3/4 oz. Gingerbread Syrup*
– 1/4 tsp Scrappy’s Chocolate Bitters

* Gingerbread Syrup
– 1 1/2 cups water
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
– 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients except vanilla in pot. Heat ingredients on medium heat till sugar is dissolved and it is to the right consistency. Turn off heat and add vanilla. Let cool, and store in a refrigerated mason jar.

METHOD:
• Place ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake with ice to chill.
• Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass.
• Layer the top with whipped cream and a gingerbread cookie.

7. Mull It Over

Mull It Over

What sangria is to summer, mulled wine is to winter. Cozy up with a mug.

INGREDIENTS:
– 1 1/2 oz. hot water
– 2 oz. Cabernet Sauvignon
– 1 oz. pomegranate juice
– 1/4 oz. lemon juice
– 1 oz. agave
– 1 cinnamon stick
– 2-3 cloves

METHOD:
• Steam hot water, wine and pomegranate juice for 20 seconds.
• In a large wine glass, add lemon juice, agave, a splash of hot water, clove and cinnamon stick to wine glass.
• Stir and top with heated ingredients carefully.

8. Jamaican Rum Hot Chocolate

Jamaican Rum Hot Chocolate

This adult version of hot chocolate from Avec Nous at the L’Ermitage Beverly Hills is just as decadent, if not more.

INGREDIENTS:
– 2 oz. Dark Jamaican Rum (Myers or Appleton Estate)
– 1 oz. Mocha Godiva Liquor
– 4 oz. hot chocolate (made with whole melted chocolate)
– 1 whipped marshmallow

METHOD:
• Once hot chocolate is melted and warm, add in rum, Mocha Liquor and stir.
• Add Marshmallow Fluff to the top and toast with a blowtorch to have the effect of a S’mores Marshmallow.

> Courtesy of Avec Nous, L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA, U.S.A.

9. Little Burro

Little Burro

This lively little number has a touch of sweetness and tang that make it irresistible.

INGREDIENTS:
– 1 1/2 oz. tequila reposado
– 3/4 oz. cinnamon syrup
– 3/4 oz. pineapple juice
– 3/4 oz. lemon juice
– 3/4 oz. ginger syrup
– Splash of soda water

METHOD:
• Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
• Strain over ice and top off with soda water.

10. Western Belle

Western Belle

This rum cocktail is reminiscent of winter spices.

INGREDIENTS:
– 1 oz. El Dorado 8 Year Old Rum
– 3/4 oz. Clear Creek Pear Eau de Vie
– 1/4 oz. Curaçao Pierre Ferrand
– 3/4 oz. heavy cream
– 1/2 oz. 2:1 Rich Demerara syrup
– 1/2 oz. fresh Bartlett pear purée
– 2 strips of Pear Mostarda
– Sprinkle of Nanami Togarashi
– Grated nutmeg to taste

METHOD:
• Combine all ingredients in a shaker until all ingredients are homogenized.
• Shake well with ice.
• Double strain into a large chilled coupe.
• The cocktail will be light and airy from the shake, with a nice freshness from the pear and just the slightest zing from the pear mostarda.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of Nanami Togarashi and freshly grated nutmeg.

11. Cold at Sea

Cold at Sea

This hot cocktail has Hennessy, spice and everything nice.

INGREDIENTS:
– 2 oz. Hennessy
– 4 oz. milk
– 1/2 oz. honey
Nutmeg

METHOD:
• Steam milk for about 30 seconds.
• Pour Cognac and honey into hot cup, stir and top with steamed milk.
• Add a dollop of froth and garnish with grated nutmeg on top.

12. Jäger Spiked Hot Apple Cider

Jäger Spiked Hot Apple Cider

Spiked with Jäger, this adult-version of hot apple cider will have you toasty-warm in no time.

INGREDIENTS:
– 9-10 oz. Jägermeister (6 shots)
– 32 oz. apple cider (4 cups)
– 1.5 oz. orange juice
– 1 cinnamon stick
– 3 whole cloves
– 1 star anise

METHOD:
• Place apple cider, orange juice, cinnamon stick, cloves and star anise in a small sauce pot.
• Bring to boil and reduce to simmer.
• Allow to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add Jägermeister, strain and serve in 4 snifter glasses.
• Garnish with orange peel and cinnamon stick.