Guilt Free Christmas Cocktail Recipes

It’s that time of year again and the celebrations are in full swing already. To help you enjoy the festive season even more we have pulled together a collection of our favourite cocktails to keep you jolly this Christmas. With a bit of creativity, some of these can also be enjoyed without alcohol.

Eggnog

A Christmas tradition with good reason, sit back and enjoy a glass with a drop of brandy to keep out the cold this winter. This is a perfect drink between friends and family. Prepare in less than 30 minutes. Serves 4-6 people. Ingredients:

• 2 pints of almond milk
• 200ml brandy
• 6 free range eggs
• 50g caster sugar
• 1 fresh Vanilla pod
• 18 halved cherries with the stones removed
• Cocoa powder

First, add your milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla pod into a medium pan and gently heat until the mixture thickens. Once the mixture has thickened you may choose to chill the drink or serve hot. Before serving, place the cherry halves at the bottom of each glass. Then pour in the brandy followed by the eggnog. Finally, gently dust the top of the glass with cocoa powder.

Mulled Wine

A staple at Christmas time and throughout the winter season, this must have cocktail is perfect to share with the family, while the spices surround the house with their wonderful aromas. Prepare in less than 25 minutes. Serves 12 people. Ingredients:

• 3 bottles of red wine
• 5 tablespoons of Silverspoon sugar
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• 4 cloves
• A pinch of nutmeg
• 300ml of dark rum
• 1 whole lemon zest and juice
• 3 orange zests and juices

Pour the red wine, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, dark rum; lemon and orange zests into a large saucepan then heat up the ingredients gently bringing them to a simmer. Add in the lemon and orange juices and continue cooking for a few minutes. Leave your mulled wine to cool before serving to your guests in tall glasses.

The Snowball

A small, festive and flavoursome delight; the Snowball is a popular choice for parties during the holidays, so why not fix up a few and impress your guests? Prepare in less than 5 minutes. Serves 1 person. Ingredients:

• 50ml measure of Advocaat
• 10ml lime cordial
• 15ml sherry
• Splash of diet or sugar free lemonade
• A handful of crushed ice cubes

First, place your crushed ice cubes into a cocktail glass. Next, add the Advocaat, lime cordial, sherry and lemonade. To finish up, stir the cocktail thoroughly and serve right away.

The Candy Cane

Show off your bartending skills this Christmas with the Candy Cane cocktail. The three layers of strawberry vodka, crème de menthe and cranberry juice make this drinkable candy cane a festively flavoursome delight for your guests to enjoy. Prepare in less than 5 minutes. Serves 1 person. Ingredients:

• 50ml strawberry vodka
• A few dashes of crème de menthe
• 65ml cranberry juice
• A handful of crushed ice
• 1 candy cane, crushed

Wet the outside of your martini glass and coat the rim with the crushed candy cane. Add the strawberry vodka, crème de menthe, cranberry juice and crushed ice into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour the mix into your prepared martini glass and serve immediately.

The Poinsettia

A delightfully elegant combination of champagne, Cointreau and cranberry juice, this champagne cocktail is best enjoyed while entertaining guests over the Christmas holidays. Prepare in less than 5 minutes. Serves 10 people. Ingredients:

• 15ml Cointreau
• 75ml cranberry juice
• Champagne

Ensure that all ingredients are chilled prior to preparing the Poinsettia. Pour the Cointreau, cranberry juice into a champagne glass; stir well and top up with champagne for a full, bubbly flavour.

The Santa Shot

Entice your guests, friends and family at your Christmas party with a peppermint cocktail to remember this year. This deliciously drinkable candy cane flavoured shot is sure to wet your whistle this winter. Prepare in less than 5 minutes. Serves 1 person. Ingredients:

• 25ml grenadine syrup
• 25ml crème de menthe
• 25ml peppermint Schnapps

Prepare a chilled shot glass and add the grenadine syrup, crème de menthe and peppermint schnapps in order for the perfect candy cane taste.

The Carrot Cake

A wonderfully festive shot to kick things up at your Christmas party this year; the Carrot Cake uses Bailey’s Irish Cream, Butterscotch Schnapps and Goldschlager to deliver a tantalisingly tasty shot. Less than 5 minutes. Serves 1 person. Ingredients:

• 25ml Bailey’s Irish Cream
• 25ml Butterscotch Schnapps
• 25ml Goldschlager/Cinnamon Schnapps

Prepare a cold shot glass and pour the Bailey’s Irish cream, Butterscotch Schnapps and Goldschlager or Cinnamon Schnapps. If you are making more than one shot, pour all ingredients into a shaker with some crushed ice and serve immediately. Now that you can create these guilt-free cocktails, it’s time to get in the party spirit! If you’ve been getting experimental and created your own Christmas cocktails, let us know your favourites in the comments section below. Holiday Cocktail image courtesy of BigStock Photo Party image courtesy of BigStock Photo

Did you enjoy this piece? Then check #SimplyBeachAdvent - Christmas Cookie Recipe as well!