Our Traditional Christmas Cocktail Routine
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This is a personal dive into my personal Christmas Day routine, that dates back from when I was a small boy and from when i can remember. Nowadays I usually bring out a special cocktail that I've discovered that year and want to show my family and friends, but the below is still threaded throughout the day. - Nick Wilkins. Make Me a Cocktail Creator
Christmas in our house is not complete without an alcoholic beverage or two. There are so many drinks that we associate with the festive time, and we don’t usually drink them at any other time of the year. Here are some of our household favourites.
Mulled Wine
This drink usually makes an appearance around Halloween and stays a staple in our home until the New Year. The smell of it seems to sum up the spirit of Christmas. If you don’t want to try one of the recipes in the book to make at home you can buy it on the high streets in paper cups while you do your Christmas shopping. It is a true winter warmer, introduced to Europe by the Romans as they travelled through, conquering countries as they did so.
Wine glass
This delicious mixture of red wine and mulled spices has the ultimate scent of Christmas. It is possible that this drink dates as far back as the 2nd century, where wine was warmed up in Rome. However, it is most popular in the UK, and has been since Victorian times. It is popular around Christmas time thanks to its ability to warm people up on a cold, snowy day.<br><br> It is a recipe that is very much dependant on individual tastes, with the amount of spice added down to discretion. Added ingredients can include anything from orange slices, lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, sugar and cloves.
Ingredients
Method
How to make a Mulled Wine
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- Warm an Irish coffee glass, then pour in all ingredients and stir
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- Top up with boiling water, garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve
Bailey’s
We will be greeted with a glass of this when we first arrive at my mother in law’s house. She always adds a dash of crème de menthe and crème de cacao to mine to turn it into a delicious After Eight.
Mimosa
This may not be a drink that everyone associates with Christmas, but we certainly do which is why we had to include this classic cocktail in the book. Champagne and orange juice is the perfect combination for those who are designated drivers on the day. A cheeky little bit of bubbles at dinner is essential, and not too heavy with the banquet of food that will inevitably mean loosening my belt as we eat! Of course, there is little doubt that the Mimosa is simply a variation of the much-loved Buck’s Fizz cocktail. The drink was named after the Buck’s Club in London, and was invented as an excuse to start drinking early.
Champagne glass
Microbadges
<p>Buck's Fizz is a classic and refreshing brunch cocktail that is believed to have been created in the early 1920s at London's Buck's Club. It is a simple and elegant drink that combines equal parts of orange juice and Champagne, creating a delightful balance of sweetness and bubbles.</p><p>The orange juice provides a bright and tangy flavor, while the Champagne adds a touch of complexity and effervescence. Originally created as a morning pick-me-up, Buck's Fizz has become a popular choice for any time of day, and is particularly loved as a celebratory drink.</p><p>It is best enjoyed chilled in a flute glass and garnished with a twist of orange peel.</p>
Ingredients
Method
How to make a Buck’s Fizz
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- Add the orange juice to a champagne flute and top up with champagne
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- Stir
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- Garnish with an orange peel twist and serve
Champagne glass
Microbadges
<p>The mimosa recipe is believed to have been invented at the Hôtel Ritz Paris by Frank Meier around 1925.</p>
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Ingredients
Method
How to make a Mimosa
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- Add orange juice to the bottom of a champagne flute before topping up with chilled Prosecco
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- Garnish with an orange peel twist and serve
EggNog
This frothy drink tastes just like dessert, how Christmas should taste in my opinion. Sweet, creamy, and satisfying. I prefer a shot of brandy in mine (check out the Brandy Eggnog recipe), but my husband would rather have whisky. Eggnog was originally a British creation enjoyed by the aristocracy, but it is much more of an American tradition now. The Eggnog riot in 1826 happened when whiskey was smuggled into a US Military academy for a Christmas Day party. It cemented its place as a yuletide favourite.
Lowball / rocks glass
Microbadges
<p>There’s nothing complicated or extravagant about this recipe.</p>
Ingredients
Method
How to make a Brandy Eggnog
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- Add the brandy, milk, sugar syrup and egg yolk into a cocktail shaker with ice and give it a good hard shake for 10-15 seconds
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- Strain into a lowball glass over a few ice cubes, sprinkle a touch of ground cinnamon as a garnish and serve
Irish glass
<p>Eggnog is a creamy cocktail made of milk, sugar and eggs, as well as either brandy, rum or bourbon. It has a frothy texture thanks to the whipping of the eggs, and is usually finished off with a sprinkle of nutmeg or ground cinnamon.</p>
Ingredients
Method
How to make a Eggnog
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- Add all ingredients into a microwavable bowl and warm gently in a microwave – or alternatively heat on the stove
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- Do not boil
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- Serve in an Irish coffee glass and garnish with grated nutmeg before serving
Port
When the cheese board comes out later in the evening, it is always accompanied by a bottle of Port. Then, when the day is coming to an end, we always finish with a good coffee like the Christmas Coffee, the Mocha Eggnog Latte or the simple, good old fashioned Irish Coffee. The Irish Coffee drink was invented in County Limerick by a barman who worked at a pub near the airport. Some Americans disembarked their flight, tired, cold and miserable, so he added whiskey to their coffee to perk them up. It became popular at Shannon Airport and the recipe soon made its way overseas. It certainly warms and wakes us up ready for our long walk home.
Irish glass
Microbadges
<p>Irish Coffee is a warming, indulgent beverage that combines the rich bitterness of coffee with the sweetness of sugar and the smooth robustness of whiskey, capped with a luxurious layer of cream. This classic drink hails from Ireland and is traditionally served in an Irish glass, which helps to maintain its temperature and presents the beverage attractively.</p><p>It offers a harmonious blend of flavors that stimulate the palate, with the whiskey imparting depth and warmth, complemented by the velvety texture of cream that perfectly balances the drink’s profile. The simplicity of its ingredients and preparation makes Irish Coffee a beloved choice for coffee and whiskey enthusiasts alike, appreciated for its comforting qualities and the gentle buzz it provides, making it an ideal choice for cold evenings or leisurely after-dinner conversations.</p>
Ingredients
Method
How to make a Irish Coffee
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- Heat the coffee, whisky and sugar together in a saucepan, but do not boil
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- Pour into an Irish coffee glass and float the cream on top before serving
We've got a whole Christmas Cocktail Timeline dedicated to suggesting cocktails to pair with all the occasions and events throughout Christmas Day. You can check it out here.
Christmas Cocktail Recipe Hub
This post is part of our amazing, Christmas-tastic Christmas Cocktail Hub. Play by play for cocktails on the big day, recipes for all your festivities and more, all in one jubbly Christmas Cocktail Recipe Hub.
Christmas Cocktail HubFiled with tags
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