Get any party off to a great start with these festive cocktails – delicious, sophisticated and guaranteed to impress.
Set up your cocktail bar
Even if it’s just a pre-set tray, rather than a whole drinks station, having the right equipment to hand is important. If you’ve got an ice bucket, cocktail shaker, string of Christmas lights and bowl of olives, you’re already halfway to looking like a professional bartender. Glass tumblers and chilled martini glasses are a must, and drinks coasters and small napkins will complete your cocktail bar vibe.
Baileys Christmas Cream
Place equal amounts of Baileys, coffee liqueur, double cream and vodka into a cocktail shaker with crushed ice and shake for a full minute – you’ll know it’s ready when the outside of the cocktail shaker feels cold. Pour through a strainer into pre-chilled coupe glasses and garnish with shavings of rich, dark chocolate. It’s decadent and delicious.
Classic Snowball
A firm favourite, this traditional cocktail is enjoying a renaissance. Put 50ml advocaat, 50ml sparkling lemonade and 15ml of lime cordial into your cocktail shaker, along with some crushed ice. Shake well, strain and pour into chilled glasses for a creamy, surprisingly light pre-dinner cocktail. Garnish with sugar-coated cranberries threaded onto a cocktail stick for a Christmas twist.
Clementine Negroni
Add a peeled and segmented clementine to your cocktail shaker, along with a dash of orange bitters, and muddle until the juices are fully released. Now, add in a measure each of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth and a good scoop of crushed ice. Shake until the mixture is cool and pour through a strainer into chilled coupe glasses. Garnish with clementine segments and finely grated orange peel.
With these recipes in hand, it’s time to dim the lights, get some yuletide tunes playing and party!
