Top 4 Festive Holiday Cocktails to Get the Party Started Right

Can you believe the holidays are right around the corner? 😁 Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hannukah or Kwanzaa; specialty drinks are a wonderful way to wow your guests! Personalizing your events is always a great touch. Everyone has the urge to try out amazing drinks and signature cocktails. I've teamed up with our friends at Ant's Smooth Booze to come up with some delicious holiday cocktails in addition to a New Year's drink recipe.

Ant's Smooth Booze is a mobile bartending service, owned by Anthony Nardella, serving New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. They can bring the party to you! Not every event is the same, which is why you have the option of customizing your own bartending experience. They can provide all the essentials such as a portable bar, mixers, plastics, and a custom menu to go with the theme. The best part is that you can be a guest at your own event and spend time with your family and friends.

Let's get into these holiday cocktails...

Chai tea is sure to spice up your holiday season while giving all the cozy winter vibes. This is delicious holiday cocktail is great to curl up with for a night cap.

Vanilla Chai Tea White Russian -

2 oz Vodka

1 1/2 oz Kahlua

1/2 oz Chai Tea Syrup (Chai Tea Bags, Honey, Vanilla Extract)

1/2 Heavy Cream

Garnish with Cinnamon Stick, Star Anise and Fresh Nutmeg

Instructions

CHAI TEA SYRUP 1. In a medium pot, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the chai tea bags, cover and steep 10-15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the honey. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 3-5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla. Let cool. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

CHAI WHITE RUSSIAN 1. Fill a glass with ice. Add the vodka, Kahlua, and chai tea syrup. Stir gently. Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Garnish with cinnamon, nutmeg, and star anise, if desired.

Vanilla Chai Tea White Russian Drink Recipe

If you love margaritas (and who doesn't), let's shake it up with this holiday twist on a classic cocktail.

Christmas Margarita -

1 1/2 oz Silver Tequila

1 oz Triple Sec

1/2 oz Lime Juice

1 1/2 oz Cranberry Juice

Rim glass with sugar

Garnish with 3 cranberries, lime wedge and rosemary sprig

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to your martini shaker.

2. Now pour into a glass over ice and top with frozen (or thawed) cranberries, lime wedge and a sprig of rosemary.

Christmas Margarita Drink Recipe

Delicious and easy, I'd say that's a recipe for the perfect holiday cocktail.

A lesser-known cocktail to some. It actually appears in so many of Hollywood’s Golden Era films as a cocktail. In the 1957 comedy Kiss Them for Me, Cary Grant orders the bartender to keep the Stingers coming in order to deal with Jayne Mansfield’s chatty character.

Stinger -

2 oz Brandy

1/2 White Creme de Menthe

Garnish with Lemon Twist

Instructions

1. Combine brandy and creme de menthe in a cocktail shaker. Add ice; cover and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Stinger Drink Recipe

Here are some variations to try:

• The Irish Stinger – Equal parts Irish cream liqueur and crème de menthe.

• The Amaretto Stinger – A three to one ratio of amaretto to crème de menthe.

• The Mexican Stinger – Swap out the brandy for tequila.

• The Vodka Stinger or White Spider – Swap the brandy for vodka.

Last but not least...Here's (or should I say) Cheers to the New Year 🍾

This classy drink is perfect for any celebration! But let's face it - there's something special about popping champagne on New Year's. It’s a classic drink on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. This holiday cocktail is said to be named after the powerful French 75mm field gun.

(Classic) French 75 -

1 oz Gin

1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Top with Champagne

Garnish with Lemon Twist

Instructions

1. Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
   

2. Strain into a Champagne flute.
   

3. Top with the Champagne.
   

4. Garnish with a lemon twist.

French 75 Drink Recipe

Here's a recap -

Leave a comment below which one is your favorite or if you make any of these drinks and what you'd rate them.

Happy Holidays!

As always, thank you for these amazing drink recipes Ant's Smooth Booze!

🖥 - www.antssmoothbooze.com

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If you would like to contact Ant's Smooth Booze fill out the contact form on the website and schedule a phone consultation. Hire him for all your private bartending services!

But please, drink responsibly!

If you have any questions or would like to book a certified event/wedding planner for your next celebration, contact me for a free consultation.

Happy Planning!

xo

~Danie Marie

😊