Photo: victoriabee, Getty Images.
There are so many reasons you might need a drink this holiday season: too much family togetherness, yet another awkward office party, or the overall political climate in the U.S. that everyone won’t stop sounding off about. There might be good reasons to drink as well: to celebrate your personal or professional achievements this year, to toast reunions with old friends, or to loosen up before popping the question (engagements are at their peak during the holidays, after all). Whatever your motivation to reach for the booze, these cocktails will both impress your guests and hit the spot. Raise a glass and say cheers to time off, fun gatherings, and a fresh start in 2018!
Holiday Christmas Punch
Photo: Tequila Cazadores.
Ingredients:
- Tequila Cazadores Resposado
- 10 to 12 cups of water
- 3 cups of sugar
- 1 pilloncillo (Mexican brown sugar that comes in a cone)
- 8 guavas (fresh or canned)
- 6 small sugar cane sticks (if available)
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 4 orange slices
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup hibiscus flower
- 1 sliced apple
- 1 sliced pear
Preparation:
Put water in a pot and add all ingredients. Boil together for 30 minutes and serve hot in a coffee mug. Add 1 ounce Tequila Cazadores Reposado, cinnamon stick. Use a teaspoon to stir. Eat with caramelize fruit.
Santa’s Helper
Photo: Tequila Cazadores.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Tequila Cazadores Reposado
- 3/4 ounce agave syrup
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce blueberry puree
- Dash of nutmeg
- Ginger beer (to top)
Preparation:
In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients except ginger beer. Add ice and shake vigorously. Serve in a wine glass over ice, top with ginger beer, and garnish with a lemon twist.
Holiday Joe
Photo: Tequila Cazadores.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Tequila Cazadores Anejo
- 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1/2 ounce chocolate sauce
- 4 ounces hot coffee
- Whipped cream
- Dash of nutmeg
- Raspberry puree
Preparation:
In a coffee mug, combine all the ingredients. Top with whipped cream, nutmeg, and raspberry puree. Garnish with cinnamon sticks.
Winter Hibiscus Margarita
Photo: Tequila Cazadores.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Tequila Cazadores Reposado
- 1 ounce hibiscus puree
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave nectar
- Cinnamon sugar rim
Preparation:
In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients with ice and shake vigorously. Coat the rim of a margarita glass in cinnamon sugar. Serve cocktail over ice and garnish with a lime wheel.
Almond Joy
Photo: Tequila Cazadores.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Tequila Cazadores Reposado
- 1 ounce St Germain
- 1 ounce coconut puree
- 2 ounces almond milk
- Cocoa powder
- Shaved chocolate
Preparation:
In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients (except cocoa powder) with ice. Shake vigorously and serve up in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a dash of cocoa powder.
Jamapple Punch
Photo: Jam Jar Wines.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup seltzer or sparkling wine
- 1/2 cup cinnamon whiskey (optional)
- Juice of one orange slice
Preparation:
Garnish with star anise and orange slices. Makes 1 pitcher or punch bowl. (4 to 6 servings.)
Cocktail by Jam Jar Wines.
Frozen Spanish Brandy Alexander
Photo: El Five.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Spanish brandy
- 1 ounce Moonlight Expresso coffee liqueur
- 1/4 ounce CioCiaro (Italian amaro)
- 1 ounce half-and-half
- 1/2 cup orange flan-based frozen custard
- 6 ounces crushed ice
Preparation:
Blend with a stick blender. Serve in a 12-ounce ice cream soda glass. Top with crumbled Spanish cocoa cookies.
Cocktail by Ky Belk of El Five in Denver, Colorado.
Golden Toddy
Photo: The Bitter Truth.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces The Bitter Truth Golden Falernum
- 1/2 ounce The Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
Preparation:
Pour all ingredients into a warmed glass or cup and garnish with cinnamon stick and lemon peel.
Cocktail by Stephan Berg and Alexander Hauck of The Bitter Truth.
Pimento Flip
Photo: The Bitter Truth.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Scotch whisky
- 1/2 ounce The Bitter Truth Pimento Dram
- 1/2 ounce sugar syrup
- 3/4 ounce cream
- 1 egg yolk
- Nutmeg
Preparation:
Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Grate nutmeg on top.
Cocktail by Stephan Berg and Alexander Hauck of The Bitter Truth.
Hot Thotty
Photo: The Honeywell.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 ounce hibiscus
- 1/2 honeybush infused buffalo trace
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 6 orange slices
- Hot water
Preparation:
Pour half ounce lemon in teacup. Add 1 ounce of hibiscus agave in teacup and 1/2 ounce honeybush infused buffalo trace. Heat up plain water, 5 cinnamon sticks and 6 orange slices (liked an infusion). Pour over concoction and stir. Garnish with dehydrated lemon.
Cocktail by Marcio Ramos of The Hone.
