This is a commissioned article.
Festive vibes are everywhere right now. With the New Year celebrations just around the corner, it’s about time that you decide what to serve to your guests. After all, savvy hosts know how to prepare a big batch of delicious punch on hand for guests to help themselves and have a good time.
No holiday celebration is ever complete without a signature drink that goes well with the delicious feast that you have prepared. And if you are looking for some exciting ideas, we are here to help you out. We have whittled down a list of the top five refreshing festive celebration cocktails to help you celebrate the holidays in a good spirit. These delightfully festive martinis and fruity champagne cocktails will pair perfectly with whatever menu you have planned for your New Year's Eve dinner.
Hot Toddy with Charred Oranges ππ₯
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup bourbon
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- ¾ cup honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 3 thyme twigs
- 4 small oranges
Method
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.
- Halve the oranges, skewer, and char over flame for 1–2 minutes.
- Top drinks with charred orange slices and a cinnamon stick.
Pomegranate French 75 πΎβ¨
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz Cointreau
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 oz Rosé or sparkling wine
- ½ oz pomegranate molasses
- Lime wheels & pomegranate seeds to garnish
Method
- Shake gin, Cointreau, lime juice, and pomegranate molasses with ice.
- Strain into a champagne glass and top with wine.
- Garnish with lime wheel and pomegranate seeds.
Orange Thyme Old Fashioned ππΏ
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 tbsp orange-thyme simple syrup
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
Orange-Thyme Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 4 strips of orange zest
- 3 thyme sprigs
Method
- Make syrup: simmer sugar, water, orange zest, and thyme until sugar dissolves. Cool and strain.
- Shake bourbon, syrup, and bitters with ice.
- Strain into a glass; garnish with thyme sprig & orange zest.
Holly Jolly Festive Citrus Cocktail ππ
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- ½ oz elderflower liqueur (St. Germain)
- β cup fresh blood orange juice
- Sparkling ginger beer
- Mint or thyme sprig
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish
Method
- Combine vodka, elderflower, and juice in a pitcher.
- Pour over ice and top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with herbs and pomegranate seeds.
Cranberry Clementine Rosemary Cocktail πΉπΏ
Ingredients
- 1 small clementine
- 2 parts vodka
- 2 parts simple syrup
- 3 parts cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- Dry sparkling wine
- Rosemary sprigs & cranberries for garnish
Rosemary Clementine Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- Peels from 2 clementines
- 4 rosemary sprigs
Method
- Make syrup: simmer ingredients until sugar dissolves. Cool and strain.
- Muddle clementine in shaker; add vodka, syrup, juice, and ice. Shake well.
- Strain into a glass; top with sparkling wine. Garnish with rosemary & cranberries.
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