12 Sparkling Holiday Cocktails to Light Up Your Celebrations

12 Sparkling Holiday Cocktails to Light Up Your Celebrations

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. What better way to spread cheer and warmth than with festive cocktails that delight the senses? From timeless classics to innovative blends, these twelve holiday cocktails are designed to add a touch of magic to your festivities. So, grab your shakers, gather your garnishes, and let’s dive into a world of delightful flavors and festive sips.

1. Holiday Clayton Margarita

Recipe courtesy of The Defined Dish

Ingredients:

• 1 cup good tequila (Lalo or Casamigos recommended)
• 1/4 cup Cointreau
• 1/2 cup simple syrup
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 tsp egg whites
• Salt for serving

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until frothy.
• Pour over a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.
• Enjoy immediately for the best taste.

2. Fireside Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/4 oz simple syrup
• A few dashes of aromatic bitters
• Orange twist for garnish
• Cinnamon stick for garnish

Directions:

• In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters.
• Stir well and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
• Express the oils from an orange twist over the drink and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

3. Gingerbread Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup
• Crushed gingersnap cookies for rimming

Directions:

• Rim a martini glass with crushed gingersnap cookies.
• Combine vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, and gingerbread syrup in a shaker filled with ice.
• Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.

4. Holiday Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 small honeycrisp apple
• 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise pods (optional)
• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup Cointreau
• 1 small orange, thinly sliced
• Cinnamon and turbinado sugar for serving
• Ice
• Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Directions:

• Thinly slice the apple and orange, then place them in a large pitcher with cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise pods.
• Pour in the wine, apple cider, and Cointreau. Stir gently and refrigerate overnight.
• Serve in cinnamon-sugar-rimmed wine glasses filled with ice. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

5. Candy Cane Cooler

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz peppermint schnapps
• 2 oz coconut cream
• Ice
• Candy cane for garnish

Directions:

• In a blender, combine white rum, peppermint schnapps, coconut cream, and ice.
• Blend until smooth and pour into a chilled glass.
• Garnish with a candy cane.

6. Skinny Rosemary Palomita

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup monk fruit sweetener or cane sugar
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 2 cups good tequila blanco
• 2 cups freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 cup Rosemary Simple Syrup
• Salt for the rim (optional)
• Brut cava or champagne to top off each glass
• 1 grapefruit, thinly sliced into ½ moons, for garnish

Directions:

• Heat water and sweetener in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sweetener is dissolved. Remove from heat and add the rosemary. Let it steep until cooled.
• Combine tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and rosemary simple syrup in a large bowl or pitcher. Stir to combine.
• Salt the rim of each glass and fill with ice. Add the tequila mixture and top with brut cava or champagne. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

7. Rosemary Tequila Spritzer

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar or Monk Fruit sweetener
• 2 Rosemary sprigs
• 2 shots of LALO Tequila
• 1 shot freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 shot Rosemary Simple Syrup
• Champagne to top
• Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Directions:

• Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Once dissolved, set aside, add the rosemary sprigs, and let it cool. Strain before using.
• In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, orange juice, and simple syrup with ice and shake. Strain into glasses and top with champagne and a sprig of rosemary.

8. Spiced Pomegranate Mule

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• Ginger beer
• Fresh lime juice
• Fresh pomegranate arils for garnish

Directions:

• Fill a copper mug with ice and add vodka and pomegranate juice.
• Top with ginger beer and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
• Stir gently and garnish with fresh pomegranate arils.

9. Cranberry Rosemary Gin Fizz

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz rosemary-infused simple syrup
• Club soda
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Directions:

• In a shaker filled with ice, combine gin, cranberry juice, and rosemary-infused simple syrup.
• Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
• Top with club soda and garnish with a rosemary sprig.

10. Holiday Punch Royale

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of sparkling wine
• 1/2 cup orange liqueur
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• Splash of club soda
• Orange slices and cranberries for garnish

Directions:

• In a punch bowl, combine sparkling wine, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and a splash of club soda.
• Add ice and garnish with orange slices and cranberries.
• Serve in individual glasses and enjoy!