On the first day of Christmas my husband made for me... a whole bunch of Christmas Sangria.
On the second day of Christmas my husband made for me... drunkified hottt chooocolate.
OK you get the idea ;).
We all know that the holidays can be a stressful time for all, so why not create some festive holiday cocktails to brighten your holiday mood. We've compiled a list of 12 of our favorite *knowgirl cocktails for you and yours this holiday season. It doesn't have to take 12 days to drink them all... but maybe try to spread it out over a few days :).
Happy Cocktailing!
On the second day of Christmas my husband made for me... drunkified hottt chooocolate.
OK you get the idea ;).
We all know that the holidays can be a stressful time for all, so why not create some festive holiday cocktails to brighten your holiday mood. We've compiled a list of 12 of our favorite *knowgirl cocktails for you and yours this holiday season. It doesn't have to take 12 days to drink them all... but maybe try to spread it out over a few days :).
Happy Cocktailing!
1. Christmas Sangria.
Want a festive and fast way to entertain the masses? Create Christmas Sangria! White wine, cranberries, apples, rosemary, sugar and apple juice make this drink a must for the holiday season. I made this for my work holiday party and it was a big hit. I recommend buying letting this steep all day for an even better taste! Recipe and photo credits here.
Want a festive and fast way to entertain the masses? Create Christmas Sangria! White wine, cranberries, apples, rosemary, sugar and apple juice make this drink a must for the holiday season. I made this for my work holiday party and it was a big hit. I recommend buying letting this steep all day for an even better taste! Recipe and photo credits here.
2. Drunkified hot chocolate
First off, look at the name of this drink. How can it NOT be amazing? The answer is - it can't be! Be careful starting with making this stuff because you just might not stop. And when your friends get wind of it - you'll forever be making more - but that's not really a problem now is it? It takes 1 qt milk, 6 oz chocolate, 9 oz peppermint schnaps. It also has bailey's whipped cream which includes 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 T bailey's irish cream, 2 tsp brown sugar. Recipe and photo credits here.
First off, look at the name of this drink. How can it NOT be amazing? The answer is - it can't be! Be careful starting with making this stuff because you just might not stop. And when your friends get wind of it - you'll forever be making more - but that's not really a problem now is it? It takes 1 qt milk, 6 oz chocolate, 9 oz peppermint schnaps. It also has bailey's whipped cream which includes 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 T bailey's irish cream, 2 tsp brown sugar. Recipe and photo credits here.
3. Peppermint white russian
Looking for a bit of pizazz for your holiday cheer? How about a nice twist on a classic cocktail. Try the peppermint white russian with 2 oz peppermint mocha kahlua, 1 oz vodka and 2 oz milk or cream. Don't have peppermint mocha kahlua?! Me either- so I subbed 1 oz kahlua and 1 oz peppermint schnaups. It was surprisingly delish! Photo and recipe credit here.
Looking for a bit of pizazz for your holiday cheer? How about a nice twist on a classic cocktail. Try the peppermint white russian with 2 oz peppermint mocha kahlua, 1 oz vodka and 2 oz milk or cream. Don't have peppermint mocha kahlua?! Me either- so I subbed 1 oz kahlua and 1 oz peppermint schnaups. It was surprisingly delish! Photo and recipe credit here.
4. Peppermint Martini
Kablam- made these delicious martinis for my Christmas party last year and they were a HUGE hit. All it takes is 1.5 oz vanilla vodka, 1.4 oz creme de cacao, and 3/4 oz peppermint schnapps. Crush up some candy cane for a sugar rim and blam- awesome holiday cheer. Photo and recipe credit here.
Kablam- made these delicious martinis for my Christmas party last year and they were a HUGE hit. All it takes is 1.5 oz vanilla vodka, 1.4 oz creme de cacao, and 3/4 oz peppermint schnapps. Crush up some candy cane for a sugar rim and blam- awesome holiday cheer. Photo and recipe credit here.
5. Gimme S'more
Looking for a warm drink that reminds you of a camp fire on a warm day? How about these s'more cocktails! It's from Bon Appetit so mm mm - you know this one be good. Recipe requires 2 T brandy, 1 cup hot cocoa, 1 marshmallow, and graham cracker liquor (1 liter white rum, 1 cinnamons tick broken, 1/2 cup honey). Photo and recipe credit here.
Looking for a warm drink that reminds you of a camp fire on a warm day? How about these s'more cocktails! It's from Bon Appetit so mm mm - you know this one be good. Recipe requires 2 T brandy, 1 cup hot cocoa, 1 marshmallow, and graham cracker liquor (1 liter white rum, 1 cinnamons tick broken, 1/2 cup honey). Photo and recipe credit here.
6. Egg Nog
Forget about the eggnog you buy in the bottle at the store (that my sister is in love with)... it doesn't have any booze... Booooo! There are a variety of great egg nog recipes out there but this one is pretty darn good if you ask me. The recipe includes two dozen eggs (hints the word egg nog ;), 1 bottle of brandy, 16 oz jamaican run, 2 lb powdered suger, 3 qt whole milk, 1 qt heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp nutmeg and a punch bowl. Photo, recipe credit and tips on making excellent eggnog here.
Forget about the eggnog you buy in the bottle at the store (that my sister is in love with)... it doesn't have any booze... Booooo! There are a variety of great egg nog recipes out there but this one is pretty darn good if you ask me. The recipe includes two dozen eggs (hints the word egg nog ;), 1 bottle of brandy, 16 oz jamaican run, 2 lb powdered suger, 3 qt whole milk, 1 qt heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp nutmeg and a punch bowl. Photo, recipe credit and tips on making excellent eggnog here.
7. Fallen Angel
Christmas time is a time for Jesus, Mary, and the Angels right? Well here's one that fell from heaven ;). This is from Bon Appetit so you know it's fancy and delicious. The recipe requires 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of water, 1 T matchstick-size strips of fresh ginger, 3/4 cup tequila, 6 T lime juice, 2 T creme de cassis, 1 t cinnamon bitters, 2 cups boiling water and 4 orange twists (makes 4 drinks). Recipe and photo credits here.
Christmas time is a time for Jesus, Mary, and the Angels right? Well here's one that fell from heaven ;). This is from Bon Appetit so you know it's fancy and delicious. The recipe requires 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of water, 1 T matchstick-size strips of fresh ginger, 3/4 cup tequila, 6 T lime juice, 2 T creme de cassis, 1 t cinnamon bitters, 2 cups boiling water and 4 orange twists (makes 4 drinks). Recipe and photo credits here.
8. Sugar Cookie Martini
Who doesn't love a good sugar cookie!? This is even better because you get all the flavor without all of the hassle of chewing haha. This recipe includes 6 oz vodka, 3 oz butterscotch schnapps, 3 pz milk and sprinkles for the rim. Delicious! Recipe and photo credit here.
Who doesn't love a good sugar cookie!? This is even better because you get all the flavor without all of the hassle of chewing haha. This recipe includes 6 oz vodka, 3 oz butterscotch schnapps, 3 pz milk and sprinkles for the rim. Delicious! Recipe and photo credit here.
9. Mulled Wine
Looking for a warm treat that's not overly sweet? How about some mulled wine - it's always a huge hit! This recipe is from The Barefoot Contessa (ina Garten) who is my go-to for all things entertaining. Recipe includes 4 cups apple cider, 1 bottle of red wine, 1/4 honey, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 orange zested, 4 whole cloves, 3 star anise and 4 oranges (peeled for garnish). Photo and Recipe Credit here.
Looking for a warm treat that's not overly sweet? How about some mulled wine - it's always a huge hit! This recipe is from The Barefoot Contessa (ina Garten) who is my go-to for all things entertaining. Recipe includes 4 cups apple cider, 1 bottle of red wine, 1/4 honey, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 orange zested, 4 whole cloves, 3 star anise and 4 oranges (peeled for garnish). Photo and Recipe Credit here.
10. Berry Little Cocktail
Looking for some festive fizz? Who does like a little champagne to brighten your holiday spirit. Start by dissolving 1/2 cup of sugar in 1 1/2 cups of water in a saucepan to create simple syrup. Add once cup of cranberries and simmer for 5 minutes or until softened. Let cool. Strain berries and place them in the freezer for at least 2 hours. For each drink put together 2 ounces of chilled champagne, 1 oz ruby red grapefruit vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice and 1 oz black current juice. Garnish with 4-5 frozen candied cranberries. Recipe and Photo credit here.
Looking for some festive fizz? Who does like a little champagne to brighten your holiday spirit. Start by dissolving 1/2 cup of sugar in 1 1/2 cups of water in a saucepan to create simple syrup. Add once cup of cranberries and simmer for 5 minutes or until softened. Let cool. Strain berries and place them in the freezer for at least 2 hours. For each drink put together 2 ounces of chilled champagne, 1 oz ruby red grapefruit vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice and 1 oz black current juice. Garnish with 4-5 frozen candied cranberries. Recipe and Photo credit here.
11. English Christmas Punch
Looking for some festive fizz? Who does like a little champagne to brighten your holiday spirit. Recipe includes: 750 ml dry red wine, 750 ml bottle dark rum, 3 cups strongly brewed tea, 2 cups of sugar, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup lemon juice and fresh fruit. Recipe and Photo credit here.
Looking for some festive fizz? Who does like a little champagne to brighten your holiday spirit. Recipe includes: 750 ml dry red wine, 750 ml bottle dark rum, 3 cups strongly brewed tea, 2 cups of sugar, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup lemon juice and fresh fruit. Recipe and Photo credit here.
12. Scotch whisky skin
If the first 11 don't make you shiver with excite then this one will. OK so it's not very holiday-y but it has a nice look to it and it should put you in a great holiday spirit! This drink includes 1/3 cupe Meye lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 2inch lemon peel, 1 cup single malt whiskey, 2 cups boiling water, 4 lemon twists. Photo and Recipe Credit here.
If the first 11 don't make you shiver with excite then this one will. OK so it's not very holiday-y but it has a nice look to it and it should put you in a great holiday spirit! This drink includes 1/3 cupe Meye lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 2inch lemon peel, 1 cup single malt whiskey, 2 cups boiling water, 4 lemon twists. Photo and Recipe Credit here.
So what drinks will you be mixing up this holiday season? Try them out and let me know what you think!
*knowgirl Scarlett
*knowgirl Scarlett