12 Cocktails OF Christmas To Make You Sparkle
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
1 Orange (Zest (avoiding the white pith) then juice the orange
1 ½ cup water
½ cup sugar
40 whole cloves
4 whole star anise
4 cinnamon sticks
(don’t use ground cloves, anise, or cinnamon because your recipe will be gritty)
2 bottles of dry red wine (best if you can find them with fruity notes but any wine will do)
Place all ingredients in Crock Pot. Stir. Set your Crock Pot to warm.
Your Tannenbaum Mulled Wine will be ready in two hours but can stay warm all day spreading the smell of Holiday Spirit. Keep in mind the longer it is heated it will start to lose some of its alcohol kick but the taste is the same.
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
2 ounces Woodford Reserve Bourbon
½ ounce Orgeat Almond Syrup
½ ounce Cointreau
¼ ounce Torani Gingerbread Syrup
1 Lime (juiced)
Ice
Pour ingredients into shaker. Shake well, then strain into a glass with ice. Enjoy!
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
3 ounces Prosecco (Higher quality Prosecco will bring a tastier result)
¾ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup
Ice (just for mixing and chilling)
Cocktail Cherry for garnish
Add Vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a champagne flute. Pour Prosecco over top of the mixture and drop a cocktail cherry into the glass. Enjoy!
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
2 ounces Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon
2 ounces of Apple Cider
1 Tbsp lime juice
2 tsp agave syrup
1 dash cinnamon
1 dash nutmeg
1 slice of apple for garnish (or a small number of apple chunks)
Ice
Pour Bourbon, apple cider, lime juice, and agave syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into glass with ice. Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg on and place an apple slice on top.
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
1 ½ ounce Valentine Vodka
¾ ounce Pepperment Schnapps
¾ ounce White Chocolate Liqueur
1 mini candy cane (or a few broken chunks of a large candy cane)
A small amount of red sugar for garnish
Ice
Mix vodka, peppermint schnapps, and white chocolate liqueur in a shaker with ice. Rim the edge of your martini glass with a little peppermint schnapps and dip it in the red sugar. Pour shaken ingredients into the glass and garnish with a 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
1 ½ ounce Grey Goose Vodka
½ ounce Cointreau
1-ounce Pom 100% pomegranate juice
½ ounce simple syrup
½ ounce lemon juice
Small lemon peel for garnish
Ice
Shake vigorously the Vodka, Cointreau, Pom, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour into a martini glass. Squeeze lemon peel and drop it into the glass. Happy Prancing!!
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
1 ½ cups Myers Dark Rum
2 cups pineapple juice
2 cups orange juice
¼ cup lime juice
6 Tbsp Grenadine syrup
Maraschino cherries to garnish
Orange slice to garnish
In a 2 quart pitcher pour rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, and mix thoroughly. Put ice in each glass and pour 1 Tbsp of Grenadine on top. (Hurricane glasses work best for this drink but any glass near 15 ounces will do. Next, slowly pour your rum mixture into the glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry (the red nose) and an orange slice. Go For It!
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
2 ounces Grey Goose Vodka
½ ounce Kaluha Coffee Liqueur
¾ ounce simple syrup
1 ½ ounce Espresso
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Next, strain it into a Martini glass. Garnish with a few coffee beans.
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
2 ounces Hendricks Gin
1 ounce lime juice
2 dashes of cranberry bitters
4 ounces of ginger beer
Fresh cranberries
Mint leaves
Ice
Pour gin, lime juice, and bitters into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously to chill. Pour into your favorite copper mug with fresh ice. Add ginger beer and garnish with cranberries and sprigs of mint leaves.
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
¾ ounce Frangelico
¼ ounce Vanilla Vodka
Whipped cream
Pinch of nutmeg
Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice until chilled. Pour into a shot glass. Top with whipped cream and then sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg on top. You’re Welcome!
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)
1 ounce Kahlua
1 ounce Ketel One Vodka
2 ounces Eggnog
Whipped Cream
Pinch of Ground Nutmeg
Mix Kahlua, vodka, and eggnog in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake very well. Strain to glass. Top with whipped cream and nutmeg.
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
2 ounces Aperol Liqueur
3 ounces Prosecco (Higher quality Prosecco will bring a tastier result)
1 ounce Soda
1 orange wedge
Pour Aperol into a champagne flute. Add Prosecco and soda. Then squeeze juice from the orange wedge into the glass and stir. Garnish with an orange wedge. Enjoy!
12 Cocktails of Chrismas 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!
