Christmas Cocktails

Merry Christmas! It’s that time of year again to see what’s at the back of the alcohol cupboard and figure out what to do with it….

Got a bottle of brandy collecting dust on a shelf somewhere? Make yourself an Alexander cocktail with it. Although originally made with gin as it’s base spirit it’s evolved to the brandy based cocktail we know today. Add 45ml brandy, 20ml dark creme de cacoa, 10ml white creme de cacoa and 25ml cream to a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake until too cold to hold and strain into a chilled glass. Add a touch of freshly grated nutmeg to the top.

Bring back the 80s with a bottle of Advocaat and the classic snowball! Pour 105 ml of lemonade and 22.5ml of freshly squuezed lime juice into a tall ice filled glass. Add 60ml of advocaat last to allow it to sink through the liquid. Stir gently to avoid ruining too many bubble. Garnish with a lime twist or a cocktail cherry for all the retro feels. Switch the lemonade for champagne if you prefer.

Christmas means gingerbread. And why limit that to the house you attempted to build with the kids for ‘festive fun’. This Christmassy gingerbread martini makes use of that syrup you were gifted to go into your coffee so it’s a winner all round. Chill a coupe glass and add 60ml vodka, 30ml extra dry vermouth, 7.5ml amaretto and 7.5ml gingerbread syrup along with plenty of ice to a shaker, STIR until ingredients are well combined and strain into glass. Steal part of earlier mentioned gingerbread house to use as garnish.

Looking for more inspiration? Get thirsty here or check out our New Year Fizz Inspiration