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Holiday Drink Recipes: 15 Easy Festive Ideas for Your Christmas Party

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A collection of 15 easy and festive holiday drink recipes perfect for Christmas parties, featuring both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options with bold flavors, playful colors, and cozy comfort. These drinks are quick to make, crowd-pleasing, and adaptable for any dietary need.

Ingredients

  • Oranges, sliced
  • Lemons and limes (zest and juice)
  • Fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Raspberries or strawberries
  • Whole cinnamon sticks
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Cloves
  • Allspice
  • Granulated sugar
  • Honey or maple syrup
  • Brown sugar
  • Apple cider (unfiltered)
  • 100% cranberry juice
  • Fresh orange juice
  • Whole milk or half-and-half
  • Heavy cream
  • Almond, oat, or coconut milk
  • Vodka
  • Gin
  • Rum
  • Prosecco or champagne
  • Irish cream or coffee liqueur
  • Peppermint extract or crushed candy canes
  • Vanilla extract
  • Fresh herbs (rosemary, mint, thyme)
  • Chocolate shavings
  • Whipped cream
  • Marshmallows
  • Club soda or lemon-lime soda
  • Ginger ale

Instructions

  1. Wash and slice all citrus fruits and berries. Measure out spices, sweeteners, and juices. Set out garnishes.
  2. Make simple syrups: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Add spices (2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves) and simmer until sugar dissolves and mixture is fragrant. Cool before using. For ginger syrup, add a 2-inch chunk of fresh ginger.
  3. For hot drinks (cocoa, cider, wassail): Heat milk, cream, or cider in a saucepan until steaming but not boiling. Add spices and sweeteners, then whisk until smooth. For cocoa, use 2 cups milk, 3 tbsp cocoa powder, 2 tbsp sugar.
  4. In a pitcher, muddle berries, herbs, or citrus. Add juices and syrups. For cocktails, use a shaker: pour 2 oz alcohol, 1 oz syrup, and 4 oz juice, add ice, and shake for 15 seconds.
  5. For punches, combine ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerate for 30 minutes for flavors to meld. Add ice just before serving.
  6. Pour drinks into glasses or mugs. Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, fresh herbs, or a cinnamon stick. For sparkling drinks, add soda or Prosecco right before serving.
  7. Taste and adjust: If a drink is too tart, add more sweetener. Too sweet? Squeeze in extra lemon or lime. For thin cocoa, simmer until thickened. For flat punch, add fresh soda.
  8. Batch drinks ahead and keep garnishes on the side for guests to customize.

Notes

Taste and adjust sweetness, tartness, and spice as you go. Infuse syrups overnight for deeper flavor. Add ice just before serving to avoid dilution. Use frozen fruit as ice cubes for extra flavor. Batch drinks ahead and keep garnishes separate until serving. Drinks can be adapted for vegan, gluten-free, or sugar-free diets.

Nutrition

Keywords: holiday drinks, Christmas cocktails, festive punch, non-alcoholic drinks, party drinks, easy holiday recipes, winter beverages, kid-friendly drinks, vegan holiday drinks, gluten-free holiday drinks

Find it online: https://avabake.com/holiday-drink-recipes-15-easy-festive-ideas-for-your-christmas-party/