Drink in the colors of the Christmas season - literally! No, no, put down the garland. You're not muddling any ornaments either; you're not Jack Skellington trying to discover Christmas. You can drink red and green Christmas cocktails instead. Whip up a red drink with a touch of green for a garnish or make a drink as green as a holly bush, complete with berries. Whatever way you sleigh it, these drinks will up the holiday fever.
Red Poinsettia
No Christmas season is complete without a poinsettia. A red poinsettia drink, that is. Has anyone managed to keep one alive past January, anyway? Good thing this cocktail recipe has a shelf life beyond Christmas. Don't lose the recipe before Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces citron vodka
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- Ice
- Ginger ale to top off
- Lemon wheel, rosemary sprig, and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, citron vodka, orange liqueur, and cranberry juice.
- Shake to mix.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with ginger ale.
- Stir gently to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel, rosemary sprig, and cherry.
Frosty's Red Scarf
Grab your own red scarf cocktail as you head outside with your favorite mittens to build a snowman. Or, consider this. Build one in your imagination while you're underneath a cozy blanket with this cocktail in hand. Just consider it.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces white rum
- 4 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce cherry liqueur
- Ice
- Thyme sprig and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white rum, cranberry juice, lime juice, and cherry liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a thyme sprig and a cherry.
And a Red Bow on Top
No present, tree, or Christmas party hairdo is complete without that red bow on top. And no party, Christmas movie, or 6 pm movie marathon is complete without this red bow cocktail. If you're feeling adventurous, top off with flavored club soda such as lime, orange, or vanilla.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ½ ounce raspberry liqueur
- ½ ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, raspberry liqueur, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries.
Blitzen's Highball Fizz
With clear ingredients making up this highball, you can swap around your base spirit pretty easily. This makes for an excellent holiday party signature cocktail, too.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka, tequila, or white rum
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Lemon-lime soda to top off
- Rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, preferred spirit, lemon juice, and orange liqueur.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries.
Jingle Juice
Tequila is a winter spirit - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It'll fill up the chilliest and coldest of hearts and warm up even the coldest of cheeks.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 5 ounces pomegranate juice
- 1 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ¾ ounce agave syrup
- Ice
- Rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, pomegranate juice, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with rosemary sprigs.
Green Sweater Weather
You know exactly what weather it is outside: sweater weather. Grab your bottle of apple liqueur and take it from a summer afternoon martini to one that'll look picture-perfect in front of your Christmas tree. Don't forget to upload the shot to IG.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge and green sprinkles for rim
- 1½ ounces vodka
- ¾ ounce sour apple schnapps
- ¾ ounce white cranberry juice
- Ice
- Lemon wheel, pomegranate seeds, and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
- With the sprinkles on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sprinkles to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, sour apple schnapps, and white cranberry juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel, pomegranate seeds, and a rosemary sprig.
6:30 Drinks With Me, I Can't Cancel That Again
You know, the Grinch has it right: you can't cancel on your self-care again. Whether you indulge in this Grinch cocktail or opt for a green Grinch punch, put yourself first today. Enjoy this in a martini glass or in a rocks glass with ice.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and red sprinkles for garnish
- 1½ ounces white rum
- 1 ounce melon liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Lemon-lime soda or club soda to top off
- Festive red straw for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
- With the sprinkles on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sprinkles to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white rum, melon liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Top off with lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish with a festive red straw.
Bye, Buddy! I Hope You Find Your Daiquiri
Set off to New York City with Santa's blessing in search of your daiquiri or other festive rum drinks, but if you see gum, leave it. That's not candy. Mr. Narwhal will be waiting for your return.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces white rum
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce strawberry liqueur
- ½ ounce cranberry juice
- Ice
- Fresh cranberries and lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white rum, lime juice, strawberry liqueur, and cranberry juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wedge.
Angels We Have Heard on Highball
Elevate your usual vodka cranberry highball with just a little bit of extra work. Infusing is easy; just set it and conveniently forget about it for a few days. Set a reminder on your phone if you're the forgetful type.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rosemary-infused vodka
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce strawberry simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rosemary vodka, cranberry juice, and strawberry simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Stir gently to mix.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig.
Pink Bunny Pajamas
You could also call this cocktail Cupid's cherry mojito. Whatever makes your reindeer fly this holiday season.
Ingredients
- 4-6 fresh mint leaves
- 2 ounces white rum
- 2 ounces cherry juice
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce cherry liqueur
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves with lime juice.
- Add ice, white rum, cherry juice, and cherry liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
Putting the Christmas Spirit Into Red and Green Cocktails
Lean, or slide, right into the red and green holiday spirit with cocktails to match the mood. From bright red to holly green, you can bring the Christmas spirit straight from carols into spirited cocktails. What better way is there to spread holiday cheer?
