The holidays are a great time to get together, host a party or just settle in for the night with a special beverage. No matter how you want to treat yourself or your loved ones, it’s never a bad idea to try a new drink recipe. Take it from us, we’ve got some fun holiday drinks to try this December.
Honey-Buzz Cocktail
Courtesy of EatingWell
Simple ingredients and a little twist on a classic cocktail. It’s not quite a gin and tonic and yet it’s not a salty dog either. There’s just enough sweetness to cut the tartness of this concoction.
Strawberry-Pomegranate Sangria
Courtesy of Sally McKenney, Sally’s Baking Addiction
The combination of strawberries, pomegranate, brandy and red wine come together nicely in this red sangria recipe. Pomegranates really reflect the time of year and the warm notes from the wine and brandy capitalize on that.
Cranberry-Prosecco Cocktail
Courtesy of Carolyn Casner, EatingWell
This is a fun fizzy drink that you can enjoy any time of day. Whether you’re hosting brunch with friends or need a signature cocktail for the office Christmas party, this one will dazzle. So simple and stress-free, especially when you take that first sip.
Jamaican Sorrel Punch
Young Hot & Modern
Image courtesy of Alp Aksoy/Shutterstock
Simple ingredients and a little twist on a classic. We’re serving up an original recipe straight from our kitchen. In Jamaica, the holiday season is not complete without sorrel, a sweet and tart beverage made from the dried hibiscus flower Roselle. At any West Indian Christmas get-together, you’re sure to find the ruby-colored punch. Some even make it to give as a gift.
Ingredients
4 ounces dried sorrel (dried Roselle hibiscus)
3 ounces ginger chunks
1 tablespoon pimento seeds
10 cups water
1 to 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
Ice
1 cup Wray & Nephew White Rum (optional)
Mint for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add the sorrel, pimento seeds, and ginger chunks. Cover and let steep overnight on the stove. Pour the mixture through a sifter strainer set over a large bowl. Discard the spices and dried sorrel. Next, add brown sugar, lime juice, and rum, if using, to the mixture and stir.
To serve, pour the sorrel drink into an ice-filled pitcher or punch bowl. Add lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, or mint leaves to garnish. Bonus: you can serve this drink hot! Instead of pouring into an ice-filled pitcher, pour the mixture into a fresh saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Enjoy!
Slow-Cooker Hot Chocolate
Courtesy of Sara Welch, Dinner at the Zoo
What could be easier than making hot chocolate in the slow cooker? Creamy, smooth hot chocolate. Just add your ingredients and let the slow cooker do the rest. You can even create a great toppings station at your holiday party with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, and marshmallows. Santa probably wouldn’t care if you added rum, brandy, or bourbon to it either.
Christmas Punch
Courtesy of Sara Welch, Dinner at the Zoo
This drink is great for a group because it makes a lot. Although you can have a party all on your own with the combination of flavors in this glass of punch! Limeade, cranberry, and sparkling water, all combined with the liquor of your choosing. Dinner at the Zoo recommends champagne, vodka, or rum. Yum!
Skinny Peppermint Mocha Latte
Courtesy of Anna Hinman, Crunchy Creamy Sweet
This tastes like winter in a latte. The sweet cocoa and mint really complement each other. This lower-calorie coffee beverage can be made in the morning to start your day off right, and maybe a little fancier than your normal mugful, or it can be a yummy treat at the end of the day and you can add your favorite liquor.
Holiday Eggnog
Young Hot & Modern
Image courtesy of Oksana Mizina/Shutterstock
Nothing says holiday time like a glass of eggnog. This particular recipe is a YHM original. It’s naughty eggnog that all the adults at your next get-together will devour like a liquid dessert!
Ingredients
2 ounces vanilla vodka
1 ounce Kahlua
1 ounce Frangelico (or any hazelnut liqueur)
8 ounces eggnog
Instructions
Measure all liquor with a shot glass and pour into a shaker. Add the eggnog and ice. Shake all ingredients together and pour into a glass. Sprinkle cinnamon on top if desired.
Pomegranate Margaritas
Courtesy of Devon O’Brien, EatingWell
There are so many different flavors of margaritas out there, but this one truly feels like something special. Pomegranate arils feel like a specialty all by themselves, but to add them to the tequila, lime, and juice combination, takes it up a notch.
Masala Chai
Masala & Chai
Chai tea all by itself can be very warming and comforting, but this recipe adds some sweetness and the perfect ratio of each ingredient for your opulent cup. Cinnamon, milk, sugar and this recipe is good to go.