Be the Holiday Hero with Delicious Holiday Party Cocktails
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to become the hero of every gathering than by stepping up as the unofficial bartender? Whether it’s the office party, a hometown get-together, or a family feast, mixing up crowd-pleasing cocktails is a surefire way to win everyone over (and provides a great excuse to avoid Aunt Meg’s annual stories). With a handful of easy yet impressive recipes, you can create delicious holiday cocktails that everyone will love. Check out our favorite recipes and tips for holiday party cocktails that will make you the star of the night.
Tips for Batching Cocktails for Your Holiday Party
When you’re the go-to cocktail master, batching becomes your best friend. Making each drink on the spot is nice for cozy get-togethers, but at a bigger bash, batching is where it’s at. Here’s how to keep those holiday party cocktails flowing:
Choose Crowd-Pleasing Recipes: Some cocktails just aren’t made for batching. Stick with recipes that don’t rely on delicate muddling or a fresh shake right before serving. Drinks like the Cranberry Pie Margarita and Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned work perfectly for batching and still pack plenty of holiday spirit.
Scale Up Smartly: Start with the recipe and multiply each ingredient by the number of guests for guaranteed servings. And here’s a tip – it’s better to have a bit more than risk running dry mid-party!
Add a Touch of Water: When mixing cocktails one-by-one, the ice dilutes the drink as you shake or stir. To mimic that smooth dilution in a batched cocktail, add around 20% water (or about 1/5 of the total volume) to the mix.
Chill It Ahead of Time: Batch your cocktails a few hours before the event, then chill them in the fridge so they’re ready for sipping the moment the guests arrive.
Keep Garnishes Fresh: To add a festive touch, set up a garnish bar where guests can dress up their drinks themselves. It’s a simple way to keep things fresh and get everyone in the spirit!
Festive Holiday Party Cocktails
Bronx Cheer
Ingredients:
2 oz Rye
¾ oz Liquid Alchemist Falernum
¾ oz Liquid Alchemist Raspberry Syrup
1 oz Lime Juice
Method: Shake with ice and pour into a Double Old Fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Flavor Profile: This cocktail’s balance of rye spice, raspberry sweetness, and a touch of lime makes it a perfect blend for holiday cheer.
Winter Desert Spritz
Ingredients:
3 oz PX Sherry
1 oz HipStirs Cranberry Pie Syrup
3 oz Ginger Beer
Method: Add all ingredients to a highball glass with ice and stir. Garnish with rosemary and freshly grated nutmeg.
Flavor Profile: A sophisticated and refreshing choice for holiday parties, this spritz brings together cranberry pie and ginger flavors for a sparkling treat.
Midnight Manhattan
Ingredients:
2 oz Whiskey
½ oz Amaro
½ oz Liquid Alchemist Apple Spice Syrup
2 dashes Chocolate Bitters
2 dashes Orange Bitters
Method: Serve up in a coupe glass. Garnish with a dehydrated apple slice.
Flavor Profile: This festive twist on a Manhattan combines rich whiskey with apple spice, chocolate, and orange for an elegant cocktail.
Blood Orange Winter Mule
Ingredients:
2 oz Tequila Blanco
½ oz Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange Syrup
½ oz Liquid Alchemist Ginger Syrup
½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz Cranberry Juice
Top with Club Soda
Method: Combine all ingredients in a highball glass with pebble ice, swizzle to combine, and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh cranberries.
Flavor Profile: A perfect balance of citrusy blood orange, warming ginger, and fresh cranberry, this mule is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Toddy or Nice
Ingredients:
1 oz Dewars Blended Scotch
1 oz Plantation Dark Rum
¾ oz Liquid Alchemist Peach Syrup
½ oz Lemon Juice
2 oz Hot Water
Method: Bring water to a soft boil. Combine all other ingredients in a shaker and dry shake. Pour over the hot water and garnish with rosemary and thyme.
Flavor Profile: This warm toddy with peach and rum creates a rich, soothing cocktail, perfect for a cold winter’s night by the fire.
Melted Snowman Margarita
Ingredients:
2 oz Blanco Tequila
1 oz Lime Juice
¾ oz Liquid Alchemist Coconut Syrup
½ oz Triple Sec
Method: Rim a margarita glass with whipped cream. Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into the glass, and garnish with a marshmallow snowman face.
Flavor Profile: A playful and delicious margarita with tropical coconut flavors, this cocktail will be the talk of any holiday party.
Garnishing Tips for the Holidays
- Rosemary Sprigs: Adds an earthy aroma and a “pine” look, making it a perfect holiday garnish.
- Cranberries: Float a few on top of your cocktail for a pop of festive color.
- Dehydrated Apple Slices: A rustic and seasonal garnish that pairs well with whiskey-based cocktails.
- Cinnamon Sticks: Ideal for warm cocktails and for adding a cozy spice aroma.
Make It a Holiday to Remember with Liquid Alchemist
Ready to dazzle your guests with creative and flavorful holiday party cocktails? With Liquid Alchemist syrups, you can easily create a variety of cocktails that taste like they came straight from a professional bar. Plus, our syrups save you time and simplify your drink-making process, so you can spend more time enjoying the party and less time behind the bar.
