The Eight Jolliest Cocktails of the Season

The most festive time of year is just around the corner! So it’s time to start thinking about which cocktails you’ll serve guests at your next holiday party or brunch. Looking for something new? Well, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up eight of the coolest-looking tasty cocktail recipes we’ve seen. Whether you’re looking for a twist on an old favorite or want something truly original, you’re sure to find something in this roundup that you’ll love.

1. Winter Snowflake Cocktail

Source: Happy Healthy Motivated

Why we love it: Bring on the Baileys! This warm, rich cocktail is perfect for sipping on Christmas morning and is so simple that anyone can make it.

Serves: One

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon white chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon caramel sauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup skim milk
• 2 ounces Baileys Irish Cream

Garnishes:

• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon
• Caramel sauce

Instructions:

1. Stir the chocolate, caramel, vanilla, milk, and Baileys together in a microwave-safe mug or glass.
2. Heat in the microwave for 60-90 seconds until piping hot.
3. Remove from the microwave and stir to ensure all the chocolate and caramel have thoroughly melted.
4. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon.

2. Easy Eggnog Cocktail

Source: Mantitlement

Why We Love It: Eggnog is a staple of the winter months, but many feel like it’s too much work. Thankfully, this recipe starts with store-bought eggnog and goes from there, taking out a lot of the overwhelm.

Serves: One

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce Amaretto
• 1 ounce vodka
• 2 ounces store bought eggnog
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of cinnamon

Garnishes:

• Caramel sauce
• Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Rim a cocktail glass with caramel sauce
2. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
3. Shake the eggnog, amaretto and vodka together.
4. Strain into your cocktail glass.
5. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.

3. Jack Frost Cocktail

Source: The Blond Cook

Why We Love It: The color alone is enough to make your holiday guests “ooh” and “ahh” with excitement. Topped with coconut rims to resemble fresh snow, you’ve got the prettiest winter cocktail around.

Serves: Six

Ingredients:

• 8 cups ice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• ½ cup blue curacao
• ½ cup vodka or light rum
• ½ cup cream of coconut

Garnishes:

• Corn syrup or honey
• Flaked or shaved coconut

Instructions:

1. Pour a thin layer of corn syrup onto a plate, dip the rims of your glasses into the corn syrup, and dip in coconut flakes.
2. In a blender, blend ice, pineapple juice, blue curacao, vodka, and cream of coconut until desired consistency is reached.
3. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

4. Rum-Spiked Hot Chocolate

Source: Happy Foods Tube

Why We Love It: This recipe uses homemade hot cocoa for those who love the thrill of doing it from scratch. The combination of brown sugar, rum, and rich dark chocolate will make this a perfect treat after spending a day out in the cold.

Serves: One

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 5 ounces dark chocolate, 70% cocoa content
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rum

Garnishes:

• Marshmallows
• Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk until it starts to bubble, then reduce the heat to low.
2. Add chopped chocolate and cinnamon.
3. Whisk until the chocolate is melted.
4. Add cocoa powder and brown sugar and stir well for about a minute.
5. Turn off the heat and stir in the rum.
6. Serve warm with marshmallows.

5. Drunken Snowman Cocktail

Source: I am baker

Why We Love It: Not only is this a great spin on hot cocoa, but the addition of sweet vanilla ice cream makes this a rich cocktail that can fill you up quickly.

Serves: Eight

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (42g) white chocolate, melted
• 1/4 cup (42g) milk chocolate shavings
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream
• 2 cups hot chocolate
• 1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream

Garnishes:

• Whipped Cream

Instructions:

1. Pour the melted white chocolate and milk chocolate shavings into two separate dishes.
2. Dip the rims of two mugs into the melted white chocolate, followed immediately by dipping the rims into the milk chocolate shavings.
3. Add two scoops of ice cream to each mug.
4. Pour the hot chocolate and Baileys on top of the ice cream.
5. Top with whipped cream and any extra milk chocolate shavings.

6. Yule Mule

Cranberry Cocktail Yule Mule

Source: feast + west

Why We Love It: A festive take on the popular Moscow Mule, the blend of ginger beer and cranberries gives this classic drink a winter refresh.

Serves: Two

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces vodka
• 5 ounces fresh-squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 4 ounces unsweetened cranberry juice
• 6 ounces ginger beer

Garnishes:

• Cranberries
• Rosemary Sprigs

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake the vodka, lime juice, and cranberry juice.
2. Fill two copper mule mugs or old-fashioned glasses with ice.
3. Strain half of the cocktail into each glass.
4. Top each glass with ginger beer.
5. Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. Serve immediately.

7. Peppermint Mimosas

Source: Savored Sips

Why We Love It: This festive take on the traditional mimosa kicks things up a notch. The candy cane rim and garnish will make this a hit at your next holiday brunch.

Serves: Six

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces peppermint vodka, divided
• 1 bottle champagne or prosecco
• 7 candy canes

Garnish:

• Candy canes

Instructions:

1. In a plastic bag, crush one candy cane into tiny pieces. Transfer to a plate.
2. Wet the rim of champagne flutes and roll in the candy.
3. Add 1 oz. peppermint vodka to each glass.
4. Top up with champagne or prosecco.
5. Add a candy cane for garnish

8. Cranberry and Rum Warmer

Source: delicious

Why We Love It: Simple yet elegant, this cocktail would be great to serve as an aperitif for your guests as they come in from the cold.

Serves: Four

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon quill
• 2 cloves
• ¼ cup dark rum

Garnishes:

• None

Instructions:

1. Place the juices, cinnamon, and cloves in a pan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the rum. Serve immediately.

Do you have a favorite winter cocktail we missed? Leave a comment and let us know.