Party-Perfect Holiday Cocktails To Celebrate the Season

Ready to take your holiday gathering up a notch? If so, ditch the bland beers and humdrum wines and celebrate with delicious, party-perfect holiday cocktails instead. You’ll love impressing your guests with these easy recipes that are sure to get everyone into the “holiday spirits.”

Gingerbread Martini Christmas Cocktail – courtesy of Aubrey’s Kitchen

Ingredients

1 oz Vodka

2 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream or any Irish cream of your choice

1 oz Torani gingerbread syrup

4 oz half-and-half or any milk of choice (see notes for other options)

1/2 cup ice (for shaking)

2 graham crackers (optional rim)

Instructions

• Combine vodka, Irish cream, half-and-half (or milk of choice), and gingerbread syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Shake vigorously, pour into a martini glass or over ice.
• Optional: For graham cracker crust rim: crush graham crackers finely. Dip martini glass rim in gingerbread syrup and dip in crushed graham crackers.
• Optional: Garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg, or a gingerbread cookie.

Do you remember when we had our fabulous grand opening of our Southern Living Inspired model home a few years ago? We enjoyed learning how to make the perfect Bloody Maria, among other memorable activities from that fun event. This delectable drink offers a fantastic way to kick off your festive party or spice up your Christmas brunch.

Bloody Maria – courtesy of A Couple Cooks

Ingredients

2 cups tomato juice, chilled

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (vegan as desired)

2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

1/2 teaspoon Mexican hot sauce (like Cholula)

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup (8 ounces) tequila, chilled

Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)

For the rim: Old Bay seasoning (purchased or homemade) or chili powder, kosher salt

For the garnish: celery stalk, lime wedge, pickled pepper or jalapeno, cocktail onion (use cocktail picks if desired)

Instructions

• If time allows, chill the tomato juice and tequila. Shake the tomato juice before pouring.
• In a large cocktail shaker, combine the tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper. Shake well to combine (without ice). Strain into a quart mason jar or small pitcher.
• Optional: If time, chill at least 1 hour or overnight for the best flavor. (Or, make ahead and store up to 1 week.) But you also can serve right away!
• To serve, place a mixture of roughly half kosher salt and half Old Bay seasoning (or chili powder) on a plate. Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run it around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt.
• To each glass, add 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of tequila and 1/2 cup of Bloody Maria mix and stir gently to combine. Fill the glass with ice and add the garnishes. Squeeze in the lime wedge before serving.

What are the holidays without some super-satisfying spiked eggnog? Lucky for us, our friends at Southern Living shared Alan Jackson’s famous homemade eggnog recipe. Dust the beverage with a bit of freshly grated nutmeg before serving for some added deliciousness.

Alan Jackson’s Eggnog – courtesy of Alan Jackson and Southern Living

Ingredients

1-pint heavy whipping cream

1 1/4 cups sugar

6 egg yolks

3/4 cup bourbon (or whiskey or choice)

1/3 cup light rum

1-quart whole milk

Instructions

• Whip cream until stiff. Add 1/4 cup of sugar. In another bowl, whip egg whites and 1/2 cup sugar until stiff.
• In a third and larger bowl, whip egg yolks until creamy with 1/2 cup sugar. Add liquor to the whipped egg yolk mixture. Stir in milk.
• Mix all ingredients together, and chill before serving. Top with a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg

Need a big batch of party punch? This refreshing recipe features a combination of Southern Comfort and citrus juices. It’s perfect for entertaining large crowds and will certainly keep your holiday soiree going strong. With over 180 five-star ratings, you can’t go wrong with this yummy concoction.

Kerri’s Holiday Punch – courtesy of Allrecipes

Ingredients

1 (750 milliliter) bottle Southern Comfort liqueur

6 fluid ounces lemon juice

1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate

3 liters lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage

2 drops red food coloring

1 orange, sliced into rounds

1 lemon, sliced into rounds

Instructions

In a large punch bowl, combine Southern Comfort, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, and orange juice concentrate. Stir in lemon-lime soda, and add a few drops of red food coloring. Float orange and lemon slices for garnish.

Whether you’re hosting a big holiday get-together or enjoying a night at home with cherished family and friends, we wish you a season full of love, peace, and glad tidings. Cheers to a happy and healthy new year.

PS – If you’re passing through the Atlanta or Lake Oconee area for the holidays (or anytime), we’d love for you to stop by our hometown of Greensboro for a tour of our award-winning Southern Living Inspired Community…and maybe a delicious Jason Werner cocktail too. Don’t wait. Let’s start planning your visit today.