Get ready to sleigh your holiday gatherings with a merry lineup we’re calling, 12 Days of Cocktails!
‘Tis the season to jingle all the way to party mode, as we mix up some festive concoctions that’ll warm your spirit and dazzle your taste buds.
From cozy classics to dazzling drinks that shine brighter than Rudolph’s nose, these cocktails are here to make your celebrations merry and bright. So, grab your Santa hat and get ready to sip your way through the most wonderful time of the year!
NOTE: If you don’t have any bar tools – you can find a list of our favorites HERE. Most don’t require tools, but many will be much easier if you have some basic ones on-hand.
We’ve included links to some ingredients we love, but it’s all about finding your best option that fits your budget, your flavor preferences, or what you have available. By using our shop links, it helps support our blog with affiliate commissions, but does NOT affect our recommendations – so thank you in advance for your purchase.
Day 1: Partridge in a Pear Tree
Of course, we had to start things off with a pear-themed cocktail on a 12 Days of Cocktails list. We love this one, and although it is served on ice – the spices will definitely warm you up, but if you want a hot beverage, it’d be great heated up as well.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5-oz. Siesta Key Spiced Rum (or your preferred spiced rum)
- 2-oz. Pear Hard Cider (carbonated)
- 2-oz. Cold Brew Spiced Apple Cider
- 1-oz. Fresh Orange Juice
- Pinch of Brown Sugar
DIRECTIONS:
Mix the apple cider mix with cold water, or use any pre-made cider (uncarbonated). Shake all the ingredients over ice, except the Pear Cider, strain into a cocktail glass over fresh ice. Top with the Pear Cider and garnish with Apple Slices.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Day 2: Peppermint Whipped Cocoa Bomb
Spiked hot chocolate is nothing new, but this unique twist on the classic is delicious and has a beautiful texture with the frothed cream.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2-oz. Heritage Distilling Cocoa Bomb Whiskey (or any chocolate/cocoa infused whiskey)
- 2 dashes of Fee Bros. Aztec Chocolate Bitters
- 8-oz. Heavy Cream
- 2-tbsp. Hot Cocoa Mix
- 1-oz. Peppermint Syrup (or schnapps)
- Candy Cane or Crushed Peppermint Candy for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
In a saucepan, warm up the cream to your desired temperature, and stir in the cocoa mix. Remove from heat and add to your favorite (large) mug. Add all other ingredients (minus the garnish) into the cocoa mixture. With a hand-held milk frother, mix and froth until it is a thicker, more-aerated mixture. Garnish with a candy cane or sprinkle on the crushed peppermint candies.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Shop the Kitsap Bartending Services Amazon storefront for complete Bar Tool Kits, more Mobile Bartending Supplies, Budget-Friendly Ingredients, and our favorite Bar Books!
Day 3: Christmas Mule
This twist on the classic Moscow Mule has a festive twist, while the French (hen) gin and ginger beer give a deliciously Christmas feeling.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2-oz. Citadelle Jardin D’Ete French Gin (or any citrus-forward gin)
- 2-oz. Pomegranate-Cranberry Juice
- 2-oz. Fever Tree Ginger Beer
- .5-oz.. Fresh Lime Juice
- .5-oz. Maple Syrup
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all the ingredients (except the ginger beer) into a cocktail shaker, shake for 10-seconds with ice. Strain into a copper mug filled with fresh ice, garnish with rosemary, mint, lime wheel, and fresh cranberries.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Day 4: Rooibos Toddy
Indulge in the comforting embrace of a Rooibos Tea Hot Toddy spiked with a touch of brandy, a delightful twist on a classic winter warmer.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2-oz. Brandy*
- 1 bag of Numi Organic Rooibos Tea
- 1-oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1-oz. Honey or Maple Syrup
- 8-oz. (1-cup) Hot Water
DIRECTIONS:
Steep the tea in the hot water. After 5-minutes, remove the tea bag and stir in the rest of the ingredients. Garnish with an apple slice, cinnamon stick, or lemon wedge.
*We like Armagnac or Calvados Brandy for this cocktail, but any you prefer will work.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Day 5: Naughty List Hot Chocolate
Are you ready to switch up from a peppermint-filled hot chocolate? If so, try this version of a Mexican Hot Chocolate with hints of cocoa, chili, and cinnamon.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2-oz. Reposado Tequila
- 6-oz. Vanilla Almond Milk*
- 3-tbsp. Cocoa Mix
- 1-tsp. Chili Powder (optional)
- 1-tsp. Cinnamon
- 3-oz. Heavy Cream (for topping)
DIRECTIONS:
In a saucepan, warm up the vanilla almond milk to your desired temperature, and stir in the cocoa mix, cinnamon, and chili powder. Remove from heat and add to your favorite (large) mug. Add the Tequila into the cocoa mixture. In a separate bowl, with a hand-held milk frother, mix and froth the heavy cream until it is a thicker, more-aerated whipped cream and pour over the cocoa. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
*You can use classic milk if you prefer, but add 1-tsp. of Vanilla Extract to the milk if you do.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Day 6: Santa’s Velvet Snowcap
Step into a winter wonderland of flavor with Santa’s Velvet Snowcap—a festive cocktail blending the smoothness of velvet textures with the delightful spirit of the season, just like the jolly man’s red suit.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5-oz. Vodka
- 1-oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- .5-oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- .5-oz. Simple Syrup
- 1-oz. Black Cherry Juice
- 1-oz. Cranberry Juice
- 1 Egg White or any Vegan Alternative
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all the ingredients into your shaker. Dry shake (no ice) vigorously for 15-seconds. Add ice, then wet shake for 15-seconds. Strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with sugared cranberries or a dried cherry.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Shop the Kitsap Bartending Services Amazon storefront for complete Bar Tool Kits, more Mobile Bartending Supplies, Budget-Friendly Ingredients, and our favorite Bar Books!
Day 7: Boulevardier
We know, not every holiday-themed cocktail needs to include cranberry or pomegranate juice, or something with warm with peppermint. So, we’ve included this underrated classic that is a perfect cold-weather sipper and probably the easiest cocktail to make on this list, that many will enjoy – especially for all you Negroni or Manhattan fans.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5-oz. Rye Whiskey
- 1-oz. Campari
- 1-oz. Antica Formula (or your preferred sweet vermouth)
DIRECTIONS:
Stir all the ingredients on ice until fully-chilled, strain into a cocktail glass with ice. Garnish with an orange twist and a flamed rosemary sprig (optional).
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Day 8: Sage Gin Fizz
OK, but what if you want cranberry, but want to switch it up a bit? Try our sage-infused fizz to put you in the giving mood!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5-oz. Roku Gin
- 2-oz. Cranberry Juice
- 1-oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1-oz. Sage Simple Syrup
- 3-oz. Prosecco or Club Soda
DIRECTIONS:
Shake and strain all of the ingredients, except the the bubbles, on ice into a maple and sugar rimmed glass, top with Prosecco. Garnish with a sage leaf and fresh cranberries.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Day 9: Oaxacan Penicillin
Combine a few elements of a Hot Toddy and a Penicillin into this new favorite. The tequila and mezcal give it a slight tropical feel while remaining true to the Toddy’s winter appeal.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5-oz. Reposado Tequila
- .5-oz. Mezcal
- .5-oz. Ginger Syrup
- .25oz. Honey Syrup*
- 4-oz. Hot Water
- 1-oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all the ingredients into a glass mug and top with hot water and garnish with the lemon.
*Honey Syrup: heat 1/2-cup of honey to 1/4-cup of water in a saucepan, until honey is dissolved. Chill until used – lasts up to 3-weeks.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Day 10: Brûlée Apple Cider Collins
We saw this one on Holy City Handcraft’s Instagram page and loved the idea of it – so we gave it a try. We loved it, but decided to add a little twist of our own.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5-oz. Empress 1908 Gin
- .75-oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- .75-oz. Maple Syrup
- 2 dashes of Fee Bros. Black Walnut Bitters
- Sparkling Cider
- Brûlée Apple (garnish)
- Grated Cinnamon (garnish)
DIRECTIONS:
Combine lemon, gin, and syrup in a shaking tin with ice. Shake, strain, and pour into the Collins glass with ice. Top with cider. Garnish with brûlée apple and grated cinnamon.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Day 11: Pommer’s Pomming
Another deliciously simple Christmas cocktail that is easy to make on the fly for large groups, or just a fun way to finish off that bottle of bubbly you have left from New Year’s Eve.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1-oz. Vodka
- 4-oz. Prosecco
- 2-oz. Pomegranate Juice
- 1-oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- 2-tsp. Maple Syrup
DIRECTIONS:
Combine and stir all the ingredients into a Collins glass or Wine Glass with ice. Top with bubbly and garnish with lime.
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Day 12: Biscoff Bourbon Highball
These are some cookies that Santa will actually really enjoy after a long day of delivering and wrapping presents. The Lotus Biscoff Cookies are a perfect addition to this mule-style cocktail to give it a hint of cinnamon and sugar, to pair with the vanilla from the bourbon and ginger from the beer.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2-oz. Bourbon
- 1-oz. Cookie Syrup*
- 3-oz. Ginger Beer
DIRECTIONS:
Shake the bourbon and cookie syrup with ice. Strain into a glass with fresh ice and top with ginger ale.
*Cookie Syrup: heat 1-cup of brown sugar and 1-cup of water until sugar is fully-dissolved and starts to lightly bubble. Remove from heat and add 6 Lotus Biscoff Cookies (broken into pieces) for 2-hours and chill. Strain and set aside until ready to use.Â
Shop Ingredients and Tools HERE or on Linked Items Above.
Shop the Kitsap Bartending Services Amazon storefront for complete Bar Tool Kits, more Mobile Bartending Supplies, Budget-Friendly Ingredients, and our favorite Bar Books!
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