The Top 7 Christmas cocktails and how to achieve them at home.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Google searches for Christmas cocktails have increased by 372%. Many UK families will be planning on hosting their own Christmas or New Year party this year due to the cost of living crisis instead of going out and the need to cut back on luxuries. Below are our picks of the top 7 Christmas cocktails and how to recreate them at home in conjunction with experts at Snapshot Staffing- a London Based luxury event organiser and hosts company.
Negroni
The Negroni cocktail is one of the best cocktails ever. With equal parts Campari, gin, and vermouth, it's as easy as pie, proving that three is always the magic number, just like the Musketeers.
Ingredients:
25ml Campari
25ml Beefeater gin
25ml Martini Rosso
1 orange, peeled, to garnish
Method:
Step 1
A mixing glass or jug with ice should be filled with gin, vermouth, and Campari. Once you've stirred it well, the outside of the glass should feel cold.
Step 2
Then strain it into a tumbler and garnish with an orange slice, especially when blood oranges are in season. Enjoy
Chocolate Martini
This Christmas, enjoy a simple chocolate martini garnished with chocolate candy. It's perfect for dinner parties, and it'll satisfy your sweet tooth when you're craving something sweet.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. chocolate syrup, plus more for drizzling
120ml Baileys
120ml chocolate liqueur
120ml Emperor Chocolate vodka
Ice
shaved chocolate (optional)
Method:
Step 1
A shallow plate should be filled with chocolate syrup. Using the chocolate syrup, coat the rims of the martini glasses. The chocolate syrup should also be drizzled inside each glass.
Step 2
The Baileys, chocolate liqueur, and vodka should be shaken together in a large cocktail shaker. Put ice in the glass and shake it for 20 seconds to chill it completely. Each glass should receive equal amounts of the mixture. Sprinkle shaved chocolate on top if using.
Manhattan
This whiskey drink is a classic and has a long history and a sophisticated appearance. This drink is packed with so many flavours in one sip! The bourbon has hints of vanilla and oak, the vermouth has sweet and spicy notes, and the bitters have a herbal note. For a truly classic cocktail, this is one of our favourite classics.
Ingredients:
75ml bourbon
15ml sweet vermouth
15ml extra dry vermouth
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
5ml cherry eau de vie
Method:
Step 1
Using a mixing glass, combine all ingredients, add ice, and stir well.
Step 2
Once diluted, strain into a martini coupe.
Step 3
Zest of oranges should be garnished around the glass, releasing their oils as you do so.
4. Purple Rain
This cocktail is perfect for parties. Shaken drinks last much longer than ice-filled drinks without diluting, and they are simple to make. Featuring blue curacao liqueur and grenadine simple syrup, this mixed drink will be the talk of the Christmas party.
Ingredients:
45ml Vodka
90ml Lemonade
15ml Blue Curaçao
7ml Grenadine
Rim: Purple Sugar
Garnish: Lemon Slice
Method:
Step 1
Add a slice of lemon and purple sugar to the edge of your glass (Sugar+Blue Curaçao+Grenadine).
Step 2
Combine vodka, lemonade, blue curaçao, and grenadine in a shaker with ice. Give it a good shake.
Step 3
Garnish with a lemon slice and strain into a rimmed glass over ice.
Daiquiri
For the original recipe of a daiquiri, only three simple ingredients are required. It is not only one of the freshest drinks you can make, but it is also one of the most essential rum cocktails.
Ingredients:
50ml white rum
25ml lime juice
10ml sugar syrup
ice
Method:
Step 1
Shake the rum, lime juice, and demerara sugar syrup in a shaker with ice until well chilled.
Step 2
In a chilled coupe, strain the mixture.
Step 3
Lime twists are a nice garnish.
Whiskey Sour
Traditionally combining spirit, citrus, and sugar, the classic sour cocktail is one of the oldest types of cocktails. A whiskey sour is a delicious, tart, well-balanced whiskey drink that has been around since the 1870s.
A Small but Classic Whiskey Sour
A Whiskey Sour Cocktail with mint and cherry garnish in front of a black background
Ingredients:
60ml whiskey - we recommend Caisteal Chamuis
30ml fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar or toasted sugar
1 egg white (optional, to make a Boston sour cocktail)
Method:
Step 1
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, fill with ice, and shake for 10 seconds (if using the egg white, shake more vigorously for a longer period).
Step 2
Pour into a chilled cocktail glass or an Old Fashioned glass filled with ice.
Step 3
A cherry, a slice of orange, or nothing at all is the perfect garnish.
Margarita
Festive gatherings large and small are made even more enjoyable with Margarita cocktails! This recipe will put your guests in the holiday spirit and amaze them!
Ingredients:
120ml tequila - our fave is Neurita
60ml triple sec
90ml freshly squeezed lime juice
Method:
Step 1
Set aside a small plate and sprinkle salt on it. Using a damp paper towel, lightly moisten the rim of cocktail glasses or margarita glasses. Coat the moistened rim with salt. Set aside.
Step 2
In a cocktail shaker, combine Neurita tequila, orange-flavoured brandy, and lime juice. Place ice in a shaker and shake until chilled. Serve in a salt-rimmed cocktail glass or a salt-rimmed, ice-filled margarita glass. Serve with a lime wheel garnish.
Enjoy!