Surviving the Christmas Party Season

Need help surviving the Christmas party season?  After searching high and low, I put together a list of some delicious and fun holiday cocktails. Bring these along to any Christmas party and it will be a guaranteed good time. Or if your having a winter wedding, why not consider making one of these your signature cocktails?

Candy Cane Cocktail 

You can’t do Christmas without the signature candy canes. Incorporate them in a drink and it’s sure to be a holiday hit!

What you need:

• 1 candy cane, crushed, for garnish
• 2 ounces strawberry vodka
• 4 dashes white creme de menthe
• 2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
• Ice cubes

How to make:

• Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.
• In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.

White Christmas

Instead of serving eggnog alone, spice it up and serve this creamy eggnog cocktail.

What you need:

• 4 ounces eggnog
• 1/2 ounce white chocolate liqueur
• 1 ounce Southern Comfort

How to make:

•  Fill a glass with all of the ingredients
• Sprinkle the top of the drink with chocolate flakes for a decadent finishing touch

Spicy GingerMan

Get the Christmas party started with this Spicy GingerMan drink!

What you need:

• 1 oz Vanilla Vodka
• 1 oz Hazelnut liqueur
• 1/2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
• 2 oz Ginger Beer

How to make:

• Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake over ice. Pour over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with Cinnamon stick.

Chocolate Blitzen

This drink is a chocolate lovers dream. A drink and dessert in one… what more could you ask for?

What you need:

• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1/3 cup chocolate-flavored sprinkles
• 1 cup chocolate ice cream
• 2 ounces (1/4 cup) Irish cream liqueur
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) dark cream de cacao
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka
•  Chocolate curls or grated chocolate

How to make:

• In a heavy small saucepan, heat chocolate over low heat until melted. Dip the rims of eight 1-ounce mini martini glasses or shot glasses in the melted chocolate and then dip in the sprinkles. Chill until serving time.
• In a blender, combine ice cream, Irish cream liqueur, cream de cacao, and vodka. Cover and blend until mixture is smooth.
• Pour into prepared glasses. Garnish with chocolate curls. Serve immediately. Makes 8 (1-ounce) servings.

Peppermint Eggnog Punch

Punch is a go-to for holiday parties. This festive and fun recipe will go quick, so bring enough to share!

What you need:

• 1 quart peppermint ice cream
• 1 quart dairy eggnog or canned eggnog
• 1 cup rum
• 1 10 ounce bottle (1-1/4 to 2-1/2 cups)ginger ale, chilled
•  Additional peppermint ice cream (optional)
•  Peppermint sticks (optional)

How to make:

• Place ice cream in a large chilled bowl; stir until softened. Gradually stir in eggnog. Stir in rum.
• Transfer to a punch bowl; add desired amount of ginger ale to reach desired consistency. Top each serving with additional peppermint ice cream and peppermint sticks (optional). Makes 18 (4-ounce) servings.

Santa’s Sleigh 

This wintery cocktail will keep your guests asking for more.

What you need:

• White sugar crystals, preferably coarse
• 2 cups store-bought eggnog, chilled
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/2 cup amaretto liqueur
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 4 cinnamon sticks

How to make:

• Dampen the rims of 4 martini glasses and then line the rims with sugar crystals.
• Combine eggnog, brandy, amaretto, nutmeg, and ice cream in a blender; process until smooth. Pour mixture into martini glasses and garnish each glass with a whole cinnamon stick.

Winter Sangria

I didn’t forget about the wine lovers! Choose your favorite bottle of fruity red wine to create this delicious sangria.

What you need: