As stockings hang by the fireplace and the scent of mulled wine and pine needles fills the air, there’s nothing quite like a perfectly crafted cocktail to capture the magic of Christmas. From sophisticated aperitifs to indulgent after-dinner treats, we’ve crafted 8 special serves that reimagine classic cocktails with a festive twist, perfect for everything from Christmas Eve gatherings to Boxing Day brunches.
A Berry Merry Paloma
Let’s face it; holiday drink recipes are a dime a dozen, and if you’re going to truly impress your guests, you’ll need to get creative. That’s where our Berry Merry Paloma comes in.
The traditional Mexican favourite gets a yuletide makeover with the addition of fresh cranberry juice, creating a sophisticated pink-hued highball that’s both tart and refreshing. Fresh grapefruit juice mingles with premium silver tequila and a splash of cranberry, while a hint of lime adds brightness. Topped with soda and garnished with a frosted cranberry skewer, it’s Christmas in the Yucatan.
Recipe:
- 50ml premium silver tequila
- 25ml fresh pink grapefruit juice
- 15ml fresh cranberry juice
- 15ml fresh lime juice
- 10ml agave syrup
- Soda water to top
- Garnish: frosted cranberries, grapefruit wedge (optional)
Method: Shake all ingredients except soda with ice. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with soda water. Garnish with frosted cranberries and, if you’re feeling it, a grapefruit wedge.
The Christmas Morning Mary
Our festive take on the breakfast cocktail classic comes adorned with sugared cranberries and a warming blend of Christmas spices. Perfect for Christmas morning present-opening or Boxing Day brunches, this spiced serve balances premium vodka with rich tomato juice and a carefully chosen blend of seasonal aromatics.
Recipe:
- 50ml premium vodka
- 120ml good quality tomato juice
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes Tabasco
- Pinch each of celery salt, fresh black pepper, ground cinnamon, ground star anise
- Small grating fresh horseradish
- Garnish: lemon wedge, celery stick, sugared cranberries, rosemary sprig
Method: Roll ingredients between two shakers with ice. Strain into an ice-filled glass with a spiced salt rim. Garnish with your lemon wedge, celery, cranberries and rosemary.
An Elegant Christmas Eve Fizz
Elevate your Christmas Eve celebrations with this elegant creation featuring Crémant d’Alsace as its sparkling base. Fresh pear juice and a house-made thyme and ginger syrup bring seasonal warmth, while the bubbles add festive frivolity. Perfect for toasting as you wrap those final presents.
Recipe:
- 20ml pear eau de vie
- 15ml thyme and ginger syrup*
- 100ml cremant d’Alsace
- Garnish: thin pear slice, thyme sprig
*Thyme & ginger syrup: Simmer 200g sugar, 200ml water, 6 thyme sprigs and 50g sliced ginger for 10 mins. Strain and cool.
Method: Add eau de vie and syrup to a champagne flute. Top with cold cremant. Garnish with pear and thyme.
Mulled Negroni
This crimson beauty takes the Italian classic into Christmas territory with the addition of mulled wine-infused vermouth and a dash of Christmas pudding bitters. The deep red hue perfectly matches your Christmas decorations, while the complex flavour profile makes it an ideal pre-dinner aperitif.
Recipe:
- 30ml London dry gin
- 30ml mulled wine-infused red vermouth*
- 30ml Campari
- Garnish: orange twist, bay leaf
*Mulled vermouth: Warm 500ml red vermouth with 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, 1 star anise, orange peel for 10 mins. Cool and strain.
Method: Stir all ingredients with ice until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with orange twist and bay leaf.
The Frost Queen Martini
Crystal clear yet full of festive character, this elegant serve combines premium gin with a dash of pine-infused dry vermouth and just a whisper of cardamom bitters. Served in a frozen coupe and garnished with an olive (because nothing else will ever do here), it’s as pure as fresh-fallen snow but with a warming holiday heart.
Recipe:
- 60ml premium gin
- 10ml pine-infused dry vermouth*
- 2 drops cardamom bitters
- Garnish: a single olive on a toothpick
*Pine vermouth: Infuse 200ml dry vermouth with 2 fresh pine sprigs for 24 hours. Strain.
Method: Stir ingredients with ice until very cold. Strain into a frozen coupe glass. Garnish with your olive.
The Arctic Russian
The beloved White Russian dons its winter coat with the addition of vanilla-infused vodka and a hint of nutmeg. Rich coffee liqueur and fresh cream create the classic layered effect, while a dusting of freshly grated nutmeg creates a starlit night effect on top. If you’re a mint lover, consider adding a splash creme de mente for a pepperminty twist
Recipe:
- 45ml vanilla-infused vodka*
- 25ml coffee liqueur
- 25ml fresh double cream
- Garnish: fresh grated nutmeg
*Vanilla vodka: Infuse 700ml vodka with 2 split vanilla pods for 48 hours.
Method: Build in order over ice in a rocks glass. Float cream on top. Finish with freshly grated nutmeg.
Read: 10 ways to add Christmas magic to your coffee
The Winter Citrus Sour
Rosemary and clementine unite in this seasonal sour that captures the essence of Christmas morning. Premium gin provides the base, while fresh clementine juice and rosemary-infused sugar syrup bring seasonal sweetness. A silky egg white foam is garnished with a fine mist of Angostura bitters and a sprig of charred rosemary.
Recipe:
- 50ml London dry gin
- 25ml fresh clementine juice
- 15ml rosemary syrup*
- 20ml fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg white
- 3 drops Angostura bitters
- Garnish: charred rosemary sprig
*Rosemary syrup: Simmer 200g sugar, 200ml water and 4 rosemary sprigs for 10 mins. Strain and cool.
Method: Dry shake ingredients, then shake with ice. Double strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with bitters and charred rosemary.
Read: 5 winter gin cocktails IDEAL for this season
Santa’s Nightcap
This indulgent dessert cocktail combines Irish cream liqueur with premium vodka and a measure of rich chocolate liqueur. Think of it as a grown-up version of the milk and cookies left out for Father Christmas, served in a martini glass with a rim of crushed candy cane and a light dusting of cocoa powder.
Recipe:
- 40ml Irish cream liqueur
- 30ml premium vodka
- 20ml chocolate liqueur
- Garnish: crushed candy cane rim, cocoa powder dusting
Method: Shake ingredients with ice until well-chilled. Strain into a candy cane-rimmed martini glass. Dust with cocoa powder.
The Bottom Line
Each of these cocktails has been crafted to bring the magic of Christmas to your celebrations while honouring the principles of classic mixology. They’re perfect for everything from Christmas Eve gatherings to post-dinner digestifs on the big day itself. Remember to source the finest ingredients and, most importantly, to serve with a generous measure of Christmas spirit. After all, ’tis the season to be jolly!
Note: All recipes serve one. For syrups and infusions, prepare in advance and store refrigerated in sterilised bottles.