12 Cocktails OF Christmas To Make You Sparkle
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How to Enjoy the 12 Cocktails of Christmas
The holidays can be a stressful time but I found that some little nips of ‘Jolly Juice’ can help. These 12 Cocktails of Christmas will put the ‘Jingle in your Bells’ and help you jingle through the season.
Why 12 Cocktails?
After a suggestion from a friend to do the 12 Cocktails of Christmas, I immediately knew I needed to have 12 Christmas Cocktails for this Holiday Season.
The number 12 is a fascinating number. Everywhere you look there are 12 of this and 12 of that. Did you know that the number 12 is a very important number for many reasons? Here are some of them.
These Are Some of My Favorite 12’s
Did you know there are 12 pairs of ribs in the human body? There are also 12 cranial nerves as well.
We all know that there are 12 months in a year, 12 hours on the clock, and 12 inches in a foot.
Biblically speaking there were 12 Apostles and 12 tribes in Isreal. The 12th day of Christmas is January 5th (which happens to be my birthday).
My Sparkling Christmas Cocktail Choices
Each one of these festive Christmas cocktails was chosen with care. I didn’t follow the traditional 12 Days of Christmas but handpicked 12 different days in the Holiday season that was significant to me.
1st Day – Tannenbaum Mulled Wine
The day after Thanksgiving was my choice for the first Cocktail of Christmas. It is a busy day and an easy recipe is perfect.
Many people like to get up early and go shopping for Black Friday. Others have their own rituals like putting up the Christmas tree.
The women in our family go to Bingo. It is mostly to honor my late Grandmother Nany who loved bingo so much! We never seem to win but the time together is precious.
This drink is so simple to make and something you can prepare ahead in your crock pot. You can blend the ingredients in minutes and then go about your day.
When you get home, your house smells of wonderful spice and spirit. You will certainly relax with a cup of your Tannenbaum Mulled Wine.
In Germany, they have Gluhwein which is mulled wine that is served at their Christkindlmarkt. Check out all of the wonderful details in my friend Kat’s recent blog: Christkindlesmarkt – German Christmas Markets.
Tannenbaum (Gluhwein) Mulled Wine Recipe – Makes 10-12 mugs
Tannenbaum Mulled Wine
Equipment
- 1 Crock Pot
- 1 Glass Coffee Mugs Per guest
Ingredients
- 1 whole Orange zest avoid white pith
- 1 whole Orange (juiced) same orange from zest
- 1 1/2 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 40 whole Cloves Not ground
- 4 whole Star Anise Not ground
- 4 each Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks Not ground
- 2 Bottles Dry Red Wine Fruity Notes if possible
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into your Crock Pot with the temperature set to warm
- Your mulled win will be ready in two hours but can stay warm all day in the crock pot and will spread a delicious Holiday flavor to your room.
- If heated for too long you will lose some of the alcohol content but will still taste delicious.
Notes
- Do not use ground cloves, anise, or cinnamon in this recipe as this will make your recipe gritty.
- The longer this recipe simmers you will lose some of the alcohol content.
Buy Now → 2nd Day – Southern Sleigh Ride
I chose this Bourbon Cocktail for the Sunday after Thanksgiving. When the Thanksgiving weekend is over, and your guests have gone home, you can sit back and relax with this smooth cocktail.
Southern Sleigh Ride Recipe
Southern Sleigh Ride Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 11 oz Rocks Glass
Ingredients
- 2 `oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- 1/2 oz Orgeat Almond Syrup
- 1/2 oz Cointreau
- 1/4 oz Torani Gingerbread Syrup
- 1 whole Lime Juiced
Instructions
- Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake well to mix and chill
- Strain into glass with fresh ice.
Buy Now → 3rd Day – Noel 76
This is the 1st Friday in December. It is a time to celebrate friendship and togetherness. The Noel 76 recipe has a very light taste and is a delicious bubbly sipper that everyone will enjoy.
Noel 76 Recipe
Noel 76 Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 6 oz Champagne Flute
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Ketel One Vodka
- 3 oz Prosecco (Higher quality will bring a more tasty result)
- 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
- 1 each Cocktail Cherry
Instructions
- Add Vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice
- Shake to chill
- Strain into a champagne flute
- Pour Prosecco over top of the mixture (don't stir)
- Drop your cocktail cherry into the glass
Buy Now → 4th Day – Blitzen’s Bourbon Smash
The first Saturday in December is the day my Christmas list is getting checked off nicely. I usually have this false sense of security that I have the shopping under control. NOT!
However, right now I have that warm fuzzy feeling of accomplishment and nothing deepens that warmth better than some boozy Bourbon.
Blitzen’s Bourbon Smash Recipe
Blitzen’s Bourbon Smash
Equipment
- 1 Coup glasses
Ingredients
- 2 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- 2 oz Apple Cider
- 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
- 2 tsp Agave Nectar
- 1 dash Cinnamon
- 1 dash Nutmeg
- 1 slice Apple For garnish
Instructions
- Pour Bourbon, apple cider, lime juice, and agave nectar into a cocktail shaker with ice
- Shake well
- Strain into a glass with fresh ice
- Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon, and nutmeg over the liquid and place a slice of apple on top
Buy Now → 5th Day – Winter Wonderland
Here we are just a little over two weeks away from Christmas. This 5th day is usually the 2nd Friday of December.
Our weekends are usually very busy with chores, holiday parties, shopping, and the like. Now is the time to enjoy something a little sweet with a kick and Winter Wonderland does just that!
Winter Wonderland Recipe
Winter Wonderland Martini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Valentine Vodka Or other Premium Vodka
- 3/4 oz Peppermint Schnapps
- 3/4 oz Mozart White Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 mini Candy Cane For Garnish
- 1 tsp Red sugar sprinkles For Garnish
Instructions
- Start by rimming your Martini glass with a small amount of peppermint schnapps then dipping it into the red sugar sprinkles and set aside
- Mix vodka, peppermint schnapps, and white chocolate liqueur in a shaker with ice
- Shake well to mix and chill
- Pour into prepared glass
- Garnish with candy cane
6th Day – Prancer’s Pomegranate Martini
This second Saturday of December is spent with a few friends. It is a perfect time to mix up a batch of Prancer’s Pomegranate Martinis for an evening of holly jolly fun.
I have been a victim of this potent little martini’s ability to make me believe I can ‘Prance’ and move around. Do you have a drink that does this to you?
Prancer’s Pomegranate Martini Recipe
Prancer’s Pomegranate Martini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Grey Good Vodka
- 1/2 oz Cointreau
- 1 oz POM 100% Pomegranate Juice
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
- 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
- 1 slice Lemon Peel For garnish
Instructions
- In a Cocktail Shaker with ice pour Vodka, Cointreau, POM, simple syrup, and lemon juice
- Shake well to chill and mix
- Strain into a Martini glass
- Twist the lemon peel and drop it into the glass
7th Day – Red Nose Christmas Punch
Let’s have a party! This is the third Friday of December. I live in the Midwest and it is usually cold and snowy.
This is the time when one couple in our group usually has a party and I sometimes like to mix a batch of Red Nose Christmas Punch up for us. We are delivered in ‘Spirit’ to a Caribbean beach where it is warm and sunny and we can all sparkle.
Red Nose Christmas Punch Recipe
Red Nose Christmas Punch
Equipment
- 1 2 Qt glass pitcher or 2 Qt Pitcher with a lid
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cups Meyers Dark Rum Or other Dark Rum
- 2 Cups Pineapple Juice
- 2 Cups Orange Juice
- 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
- 6 Tbsp Grenadine Syrup
- 6 each Maraschino Cherries For Garnish
- 6 slices Orange For Garnish
Instructions
- In a 2 qt Pitcher pour Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice and stir
- Put ice in each Hurricane glass
- Pour 1 Tbsp of Grenadine over ice in each glass
- Slowly pour the Rum mixture over ice and Grenadine
- Garnish each glass with a maraschino cherry (red nose) and an orange slice
Notes
8th Day – Santa’s Fuel Espresso Martini
This 8th day means you only have one week left. It is the day you may have to shop till you drop or you may be right on schedule to just pick up a few more items. Either way, by lunchtime you will need a spiked boost to get to the finish line.
If you are home you can prepare this Cocktail for yourself (It’s always 5 O’Clock somewhere). But if you are out and about just ask your nearest bartender to fix you their favorite Espresso Martini and with a little coaxing, they can add a little extra of Santa’s fuel with your suggestion.
Santa’s Fuel Espresso Martini
Espresso Martini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ketel One Vodka Any premium Vodka can be substituted.
- 1/2 oz Kahlua
- 1 oz Espresso Prepared
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
- 2 each Espresso Bean For garnish
Instructions
- Prepare your Espresso as normal and let it cool.
- Combine Espresso, Vodka, Kahlua, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until a foamy top is produced.
- Strain into a Martini Glass slowly.
- Garnish with Espresso beans for that added touch.
Buy Now → 9th Day – Mistletoe Mule
Five days until Christmas. You are now at that point where you start to think “either I get it done or I don’t” – I have been there!
I am in the mood for something light and delicious and I always enjoy a refreshing Mule. The Mistletoe Mule uses Gin instead of Rum for a twist you will thoroughly enjoy.
Mistletoe Mule Recipe
Mistletoe Mule Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz Hendricks Gin
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- 2 dashes Cranberry Bitters
- 4 oz Ginger Beer
- 4 each Fresh Cranberries For Garnish
- 2 sprigs Mint Leaves For Garnish
- 1 slice Lime For Garnish
Instructions
- Pour Gin, lime juice, and bitters into a cocktail shaker with ice
- Shake vigorously to chill
- Pour into a copper mug with fresh ice
- Add Ginger Beer on top
- Garnish with cranberries, a lime slice, and sprigs of mint.
Buy Now → 10th Day – Christmas In Your Mouth Shot
We have finally made it to Christmas Eve Eve! This is a fun party night and a time to cut loose for many.
I sampled this drink created at Walnut Creek Grill in O’Fallon Missouri. It was deliciously made by Jason the Bartender!
Show this recipe to your barkeep if you are out at your local pub or let’s just make it at home.
Christmas In Your Mouth Shot Recipe
Christmas In Your Mouth Shot
Equipment
- 1 Shot Glass
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz Frangelico
- 1/4 oz Vanilla Vodka
- 1 tsp Whipped Cream For topper
- 1 pinch Nutmeg Garnish
Instructions
- Mix Frangelico and vanilla vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice until chilled
- Pour into a shot glass
- Top with whipped cream and a pinch of nutmeg
Buy Now → 11th Day – Eggnog Mudslide
Here we are, the ‘Night Before Christmas’. We have finished our last-minute tasks and are ready to kick back and check out the lights on our tree in peaceful silence waiting for the Big Guy.
Time to mix up a glass of creamy chocolaty goodness. This decadent Eggnog will be a delight. This recipe is so easy to make for one or more of you (Don’t forget to set out a mug for Santa).
Eggnog Mudslide Cocktail Recipe (Santa’s Favorite)
Eggnog Mudslide
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 oz Kahlua
- 1 oz Ketel One Vodka Or other Premium Vodka
- 2 oz Eggnog
- 1 tsp Whipped Cream
- 1 pinch Nutmeg Ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Mix Kahlua, Vodka, and eggnog in a cocktail shaker with ice
- Shake very well to mix and chill
- Strain into Martini glass
- Top with whipped cream and nutmeg
Buy Now → 12th Day – Angels Aperol Spritz
The Day after Christmas for me is very relaxing. It lets go of all of the crazy, hectic but wonderful stress from the last month or so and it all calms down in one day.
I chose my final drink specifically for the day after Christmas. I have always found this day refreshing to my soul. That’s why I chose Angels Aperol Spritz. It is easy to make, and so delicious!
Angels Aperol Spritz
Aperol Spritz
Equipment
- 2 Prosecco Wine Glass any wine glass can be used
Ingredients
- 6 oz Prosecco
- 4 oz Aperol
- 2 oz Soda Water
- 2 slice Orange For garnish
Instructions
- In two large Prosecco Wine glasses place a few ice cubes.
- Pour 3 oz Prosecco wine into each glass.
- Add 2 oz Aperol into each glass.
- Add 1 oz of Soda Water into each glass.
- Finish with a slice of orange in each glass
Save all of your Recipes in this Book
Mixology Moments Cocktail Recipe Journal
Buy Now →12 Cocktails of Christmas Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed my 12 Cocktails of Christmas enough to try them all yourself!
What was your favorite holiday cocktail from my recipes? Which one put you in the most Christmas spirit? Comment below, I would love to hear from you!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all from us at Next Cocktails. Enjoy!
