The Christmas season is officially upon us, the Calendar has finally flipped to December. So what better way to get into the festive spirit than with a fancy tipple or two? We’ve teamed up with master mixologist, the Margarita Mum, to give you a few festive cocktail ideas.
Fresh, seasonal ingredients should always be the first port of call when making a cocktail, she tells us. So during the winter months, flavours like cinnamon and cranberry are some of her favourites.
Here the Margarita Mum shares 6 cocktail recipes for the festive season, perfect for the run up or the big day itself.
6 Cocktail Recipes for the Festive Season
Christmas Star Margaritas
Firstly, take 100mls tequila and infuse with one cinnamon stick and half a star anise for 24 hours.
Then follow this recipe:
25mls infused tequila
25mls Grand Marnier
25mls cranberry juice
25mls lime juice
1 egg white (room temperature)
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for around 1 minute until the ice has dissolved.
Double strain into a cocktail glass. Wait for the egg foam to settle and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Then garnish with star anise.
Australian Christmas Spirit
This recipe uses a spirit that is very specific to Australia (where I live). But you can replace the Vantage Australia with another citrusy, botanical spirit if you live elsewhere in the world.
Start by placing 1/4 cup mixed peel (oranges & lemons) and 1/4 mixed dry fruit (like you would use to create a fruit cake) in 1/2 cup Vantage Australia and soak in a sealed jar for at least 24 hours.
Then to create one glass of Australian Christmas Spirit, mix the following:
60ml infused Vantage Australia
15ml fresh lemon juice
60ml tonic water
Serve with candied orange, cranberries, rosemary and star anise.
Peachy Christmas
The ginger flavour in this cocktail really gives it a festive punch. Here’s what you’ll need:
30ml Blanco Tequila
15ml ginger liqueur
15ml Golden Falernum
15ml lime juice
60ml peach soda
A barspoon of passionfruit syrup
Place all ingredients in a cocktail jug and stir until combined. Strain into a wine glass filled with ice. Garnish with frozen cranberries and mint.
Rock n Roll Margarita
This is a totally indulgent margarita, perfect for Christmastime. For one glass, just mix:
30ml Santo Mezquila
15ml Cointreau Noir
15ml chilli liqueur
45ml freshly squeezed lime juice
A chilli, lime and sea salt rim
Dehydrated lime wheel garnish
Spiced Meringue Kisses
This is a little Christmas sweet treat I like to serve up after dinner. For one glass, you will need:
30ml Anejo Tequila
30ml Cointreau
15ml fresh lime juice
60ml spiced ginger beer
15ml homemade cranberry and cherry syrup*
Simply place all ingredients in a cocktail jug and stir until combined. Garnish with mini meringues, mint, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and passionfruit.
* To make the syrup, place 1 cup of cranberry juice, 1/2 cup tinned cherries and 1/4 caster sugar in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Then simmer until the liquid reduces by half.
Spiced Cranberry Punch
Spices and cranberry. It doesn’t get more Christmassy than this. It is one of the most delicious cocktail recipes and is very easy to make.For one glass you’ll need:
30ml tequila
30ml Cointreau
30ml fresh lime juice
60ml spiced ginger beer
15ml cranberry and cinnamon syrup*
Simply place all ingredients in a cocktail jug and stir until combined.
I like to garnish with Craisins, rosemary and cinnamon sticks. And serve with candied ginger.
* To make the syrup, place 1 cup of cranberry juice, 2 tablespoons Ceylon cinnamon sugar and 2 tablespoons caster sugar into a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Then simmer until the liquid reduces by half.
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Merry Christmas! And huge thanks to the Margarita Mum for sharing these 6 cocktail recipes for the festive season. You can see cocktail recipes for every time of year over on Instagram and the Margarita Mum website.