We’re all in for these holiday spirits.
Chances are your countdown to Christmas will involve a cocktail or two. To help you celebrate in style before the big day arrives, the folks at Colonial Wines & Spirits have put together 12 festive cocktails, like a boozy advent calendar, if you will.
Below are a few of our favorites. Find the rest on Colonial’s website.
Cheers!
Partridge in a Pear Tree
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz. Berentzen pear liqueur
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- 1/4 oz. Bouvet Rose Cremant de Loire (sparkling wine)
- sprig of rosemary
Instructions:
Add all ingredients, except Champagne and rosemary, to an ice filled shaker. Shake well and strain into coupe glass. Top with champagne and add rosemary garnish.
Four Calling Birds
Ingredients:
- 5 fresh sage leaves
- 4 oz. Wild Turkey 101 proof bourbon
- 4 oz. cranberry juice cocktail
- 4 dashes angostura bitters
- ice
- fresh sage, cranberries and cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
In the base of a cocktail shaker, muddle the sage. Add bourbon, cranberry juice and bitters, shake to combine, then add the ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a highball glass and serve garnished with fresh sage, cranberries and a cinnamon stick. Serves two.
Seven Swans a-Swimming
Ingredients:
For the cocktail:
- 2 oz. gin
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice (about half a lemon)
- 1/2 oz. rosemary simple syrup
- 1/2 oz. Cointreau
- 1 egg white
- rosemary sprig, for garnish
For the simple syrup:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Instructions:
To make rosemary simple syrup, add water and sugar to saucepan. Bring to a boil and mix until sugar is dissolved. Add in the rosemary sprigs, remove from heat and allow to steep 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature and remove rosemary. Chill.
To make cocktail add gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Cointreau and egg white to cocktail shaker. Do not add ice. Dry shake the shaker vigorously for about 30 seconds. Add ice and shake an additional 15-20 seconds to chill drink. Strain into martini or coupe glass and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Eight Maids a-Milking
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. rum (Kraken Spiced dark rum recommended)
- 1 tsp. superfine sugar
- 6-8 oz. milk
Instructions:
Shake well with cracked ice in a chilled cocktail shaker, then strain into Collins glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon, whichever you prefer.
Twelve Drummers Drumming
(pictured at top)
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Drambuie liqueur
- 2 oz. Famous Grouse Blended Scotch
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions:
Stir ingredients with ice until well-chilled in a mixing glass, then strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with a lemon peel, twisting it over the drink before you serve to release its citrus oils.