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Whether you plan on staying in or… well, staying in this Christmas season, here are some delightful Christmas cocktails that are sure to warm your insides and bring on the holiday cheer. From chocolate-based to fruity concoctions, there’s a little something for everyone. Pick one recipe or give them all a whirl, but perhaps not all at once!
Start to finish: 6 hours 10 minutes Servings: 10
Ingredients:
750 milliliter Merlot or red wine of choice
2 1/2 cups cranberry juice
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup simple syrup
1/2 cup blackberry brandy
1/2 cup Chambord
2 cups lemon-lime soda
2 oranges, sliced
1 cup cranberries
6 cinnamon sticks
Rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Directions:
Combine all ingredients, except for the soda and ice, together in a large pitcher and chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
Add the ice and soda just before serving and garnish with rosemary sprigs for a festive presentation.
Tipsy Peppermint Mocha Cocktail
Start to finish: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
3 ounces Kahlua Peppermint Mocha
1 ounce vodka
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
3 ounces heavy cream
Ice
Candy canes, crushed
Directions:
Crush up a candy cane or peppermint candies into small pieces and spread on a small plate. Pour simple syrup on another small plate so that it is about ¼ inch deep.
Dip each cocktail glass into the simple syrup so that the rim is fully coated, then dip the rim into the crushed candy cane until it sticks to the glass. Allow to set.
Fill each prepared cocktail glass with ice. Add all liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for about 5-10 seconds.
Strain and pour into your cocktail glasses. Enjoy immediately.
Start to finish: 10 minutes Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1/2 cup cranberries, frozen
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Ice
2 cups cranberry juice
1 cup orange juice
1 cup vodka
1 cup Prosecco
Directions:
In a small bowl, combine frozen cranberries and sugar.
Fill four glasses with ice. Divide cranberry juice, orange juice, and vodka between glasses. Top each glass off with Prosecco and garnish with sugared cranberries.
Start to finish: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1/2 ounce Creme de Menthe
1 ounce Irish Whiskey
4-6 ounces half and half or milk
OPTIONAL: green food color, peppermint extract, sprinkles & whipped cream
Directions:
Mix ingredients in blender. If drink is too thick add additional half and half or milk to thin. Pour into glass. Top with whipped cream if desired, serve immediately.
Start to finish: 3 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon caramel sauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup skimmed milk (you can also use non-dairy milk)
2 ounces Baileys Irish Cream
Optional: whipped cream and cinnamon for topping
Directions:
Stir the chocolate, caramel, vanilla, milk and Baileys together in a microwave-safe mug or glass. Heat in the microwave for 60-90 seconds until piping hot.
Remove from the microwave and stir to make sure all the chocolate and caramel has thoroughly melted. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon (if using) and enjoy!
(www.happyhealthymotivated.com)
Start to finish: 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients:
1 cup water
2 unflavored gelatin packets (Knox, store brand)
¼ cup Butterscotch Liqueur
5/8 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
1/8 cup Cointreau Liqueur
Whipped cream for garnish
Directions:
Place 1 cup of water in a bowl. Add the unflavored gelatin packets to the water; dissolve.
Place dissolved gelatin liquid in a pot on the stove on low heat; stir until completely dissolved.
Remove from heat; allow to sit 15 minutes.
Add Butterscotch Liqueur, Bailey’s Irish Cream and Cointreau Liqueur to the dissolved gelatin.
Carefully pour into 2 ounce soufflé cups. Allow some headroom and do not fill to the top.
Remove any bubbles that may form.
You may cap your soufflé cups, or wait until the gelatin has set before capping. Place in refrigerator to set, approximately 2 hours.
Garnish with whipped cream (and sprinkles) before serving.
Shake things up a bit this year by serving some new cocktails at your holiday celebration. Sweet, sour, hot or cold, these cocktails are perfect for bringing the Christmas cheer to any party.
