Warm winter cocktails are the wonderful glue that make the holidays magical.
But being born in the Southern Hemisphere, I spent many Christmases in my youth on a beach sipping a Summery cocktail in hand whilst applying sunscreen.
While LA is far from being a summer Christmas hub, drinks here are a lot different from traditional drinks served during Christmas in the East Coast or Europe.
Christmas cocktails have always been for me bright, colorful, cold and refreshing.
Christmas may look a lot different this year but because you can definitely use a drink here’s a selection that has made me happy at Christmas in the past.
So no matter what kind of festive cocktail you’re in the mood for, I’ve got you covered this season.
So get into the spirit and spread some Christmas cheer…
Salud from my family to yours….
Sparkling and festive, this Ruby-red holiday sangria brims with Yuletide cheer.
Perfect and easy for the holidays. This year your house may not be filled with friends and family – but gather around your tree with that very special small group of your closest and don’t worry about mixing cocktails all night. Here’s something fun, seasonal and a bit special: A homemade holiday sangria, your new holiday party BFF. A crowd-pleasing punch to build a party around, if there ever was one.
A little sweet, a little fizzy with colorful seasonal fruit, and (best of all) meant to be made in advance – this homemade holiday sangria is the drink of the season.“>
“>
![]()
“>Preparation:
Wine: red wine sangria is the most traditional, and we love how festive it looks. Selecting a wine for your homemade holiday sangria doesn’t have to be stressful, but there are a few things to keep in mind when making your selection. See below!
Fruit: citrus fruits, particularly oranges, are traditional and ideal for a holiday sangria since citrus season peaks in winter. Cheery lemon and orange slices look almost like Christmas ornaments, alongside a handful of cranberries in a big, generous pitcher or punchbowl at the center of your table.
Brandy: warming as a mid-winter fire, with hints of sweetness and baking spice, brandy is a traditional sangria ingredient, and gives our holiday sangria recipe it’s oomph.
Spices: cinnamon is traditional, and again a perfect compliment to whatever holiday goodies you might be serving alongside your homemade sangria.
Fruit juice: our holiday sangria recipe gets an extra dose of merriment thanks to the addition of a bottle of sparkling apple juice. For an extra sparkle , you could even use a sparkling cranberry-apple juice to make your holiday sangria an even deeper and more dazzling red.
In a large pitcher (or punch bowl) combine all ingredients. Stir to mix, cover and set in refrigerator overnight to allow flavors to come together. Serve over ice garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs.
This velvety smooth, espresso and gingerbread cocktail is the perfect warmer for chilly days – or as a cheeky, alcoholic alternative to pudding. Sit back and let the bartender do the work at Brighton’s award-winning Pintxo People (pintxopeople.co.uk), and Pinchito Tapas in east London (pinchito.co.uk), or mix one up in a matter of minutes at home
Ingredients
- Ketel One vodka 50ml
- Espresso coffee 25ml, chilled
- Gingerbread syrup 15ml
- Coffee beans (3)
Preparation:
Rim a chilled martini glass with cinnamon and sugar.
Shake all the liquid ingredients together with some ice and strain into the glass. Add the coffee beans and serve.
If you want a break from the seasonal cinnamon and dark chocolate flavors, this lemony sour drink is the perfect refresher.
The pisco sour is a classic cocktail that you’ve likely seen on bar menus. It’s the national cocktail of my home country of Peru, where it’s made and loved.
Pisco is distilled from fermented grape juice using specific grape varietals. While technically in the same classification as other brandies like cognac, pisco is in a category all its own. It’s high proof, typically clear, and can range from slightly sweet to herbal and bitter. It’s delicious mixed into cocktails.