On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…a Winter Wonderland Martini!
The beloved holiday melody, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” is an old English carol that we’ve come to cherish for decades. However, ‘tis the season for parties and there’s no better way to get festive like mixing up a dozen holiday cocktails. We found 12 concoctions to honor the 12 days of Christmas, and even if you don’t celebrate this particular day, why would you pass on these delicious drinks to last you past a week? Get into the spirit of the season. No lords-a-leaping, just great libations!
Day 1: Winter Wonderland
The weather outside may be frightful, but a cup filled with white chocolate and toasted coconut flakes is so delightful. As we get cozy with loved ones by the open fire, we’ll be sipping on a Winter Wonderland to get us in the mood. Each creamy sip will have you chanting, “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”
Ingredients
2 oz. Vanilla-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka)
2 oz. White chocolate liqueur
1 oz. White crème de cacao
1 oz. Cream
1 tsp. Coconut flakes
1 White chocolate wafer stick
Preparation
Add the vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, crème de cacao, and cream into a shaker and shake over ice. Strain into a martini glass and add half a teaspoon of coconut flakes. Stir martini gently with white chocolate wafer stick to create a blizzard.
Day 2: Spiced Caramel Apple
Do dreary days have you belting out the blues instead of cheery carols? Lift up your spirit with a mouthwatering Spiced Caramel Apple, a cider-based drink created by Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice. Not only does it feature zesty ginger liqueur, but you’ll also be devouring Dutch caramel vodka, crumbled gingersnap cookies, and homemade apple cider.
Ingredients
2 oz. Ginger liqueur (We used Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur)
1 oz. Caramel-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka)
2 ½ oz. Apple cider
1 dash Lemon juice
Agave syrup
Crumbled gingersnap cookies
Preparation
Rim martini glass with agave syrup and crumbled gingersnap cookies. Add liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into martini glass.
Day 3: Eggnog Martini
Simple and sweet, the Eggnog Martini is the perfect way to revamp a holiday classic without the fuss. Use the extra time to open more presents, mingle with sexy singles, and get your drink on.
Ingredients
2 ½ oz. Eggnog
1 oz. Vanilla-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka)
¾ oz. Amaretto
Grated nutmeg or cinnamon
Preparation
Combine ingredients in shaker and shake over ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Dust with freshly grated nutmeg or cinnamon.
Day 4: Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert Shots
Everyone knows that the holidays are all about savoring our favorite sweets. However, if you’re looking for a more adult way to celebrate, give yourself the gift that keeps on giving, courtesy of celebrity chef Jon Ashton. Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert Shots are exactly what they sound like and we dare you not to have more than one. We couldn’t think of a more picturesque way to jumpstart any fiesta than screaming “shots, shots, shots!”
Ingredients
1 can (14 oz.) Pumpkin, chilled
3 oz. Reduced-fat cream cheese
6 oz. Low fat vanilla yogurt
1 cup Low fat milk
¼ cup Caramel-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka)
½ tsp. Vanilla extract
½ tsp. Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Nutmeg
6 tsp. Graham cracker crumbs
Preparation
Place all ingredients (except graham cracker crumbs) in a blender and blend until silky smooth. Pour into shot glasses and top each serving with a teaspoon of graham cracker crumbs.
Day 5: Spicy Gingerbread
Heat up bone chilling winter nights by serving a glass of Spicy Gingerbread, the cool concoction that’ll have everyone peeling off their sweaters for a night of non-stop excitement. Skip the stale brews as the Spicy Gingerbread highlights ginger beer mixed with vanilla-infused vodka and lip smacking hazelnut liqueur. Who needs presents ready to be returned when all you need is a cup (or two) of this yummy cocktail?
Ingredients
1 oz. Vanilla-infused vodka
1 oz. Hazelnut liqueur
½ oz. Butterscotch schnapps
2 oz. Ginger beer
Cinnamon stick
Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake over ice. Pour over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Day 6: Candy Cane Lane
Jumpstart any holiday party with flutes of Candy Cane Lanes, the minty treat that’ll instantly put smiles on anyone’s face. From crisp peppermint candy to smooth blue vodka, Christmas is always merry after sipping on one of these.
Ingredients
2 ½ oz. Blue vodka (We used Van Gogh Blue Vodka)
1 oz. White crème de menthe
½ oz. Peppermint schnapps
Cream
Splash of grenadine
Peppermint candy
Preparation
Add a dash of grenadine into the bottom of a chilled martini glass and set aside. Pour the rest of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into the glass with grenadine to create a swirl effect. Garnish with peppermint candy.
Day 7: Turtle Doves
Present patrons a peace offering they’ll never forget: a Turtle Dove. The tantalizing elixir is a fusion of silky vanilla vodka and luscious hazelnut liqueur, creating a cocktail that’s always a treat to give during the season of gifts.
Ingredients
2 oz. Vanilla-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka)
2 oz. Hazelnut liqueur
1 oz. Amaretto
1 ½ oz. Cream
Cinnamon
Sugar crystals
Preparation
Rim martini glass with cinnamon and sugar crystals. Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into the martini glass.
Day 8: Berry Merry Xmas
Here’s one drink you can prepare for your true love. Unlike typical holiday cocktails, the Berry Merry Xmas includes vodka made from pomegranate, a Latin symbol for love and fidelity. Its bright ruby hue will light up any room, even out beating those dusty Christmas lights. Simply prepare plenty of Berry Merry Xmases and spread them throughout your bar for decoration. Be warned, they won’t be standing still for long.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz. Pomegranate-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka)
½ oz. Triple Sec
½ oz. Peach Schnapps
1 oz. Cranberry juice
1 oz. Club soda
Preparation
Add all ingredients into a shaker and shake over ice. Pour into a martini glass or on the rocks.
Day 9: Kringle Kocoa
For intimate gatherings, we’ll be serving Kringle Kocoas, a more alluring take on the usual hot chocolates of winter. Could you really resist a mug of vodka and roasted marshmallows?
Ingredients
2 oz. Chocolate-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka)
4 oz. Hot chocolate
3 Roasted marshmallows on a small skewer
Preparation
Pour vodka into a mug and fill with hot chocolate. Garnish with roasted marshmallows on a skewer.
Day 10: Café Caramel
Nothing soothes the soul during a blistering blizzard quite like a cup of steaming coffee. However, this timeless Latin classic has gotten a makeover, all thanks to Rene Matos, Beverage Director of NYC Marriot Marquis. His Café Caramel is a medley of double espresso vodka, thick caramel sauce, and even vanilla ice cream. Treat yourself this season and splurge on one of the most mesmerizing elixirs of the year.
Ingredients
2 ½ oz. Caramel-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka)
½ oz. Coffee-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka)
¼ oz. Caramel sauce
1 oz. Vanilla ice cream, softened
1 Cholive
Preparation
Add all ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously to ensure the caramel is well blended. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a cholive.
Day 11: Hot Caramel Buttered Rum
Booze-soaked fruitcake? Check. Spiked pumpkin pie? Check? Hot Caramel Buttered Rum? Check, check, check! Sweeten up this wintry drink with a touch of brown sugar, honey, and caramel-infused vodka for another much-needed buzz to welcome the back-to-back holiday parties this month.
Ingredients
3 oz. Rum (We used Ron Abuelo Anejo)
1 oz. Caramel-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka)
¼ stick Unsalted butter, softened
2 Tbsp. Brown sugar
2 Tbsp. Honey
1 tsp. Ground cinnamon
½ tsp. Ground cloves
½ tsp. Nutmeg
1 Cinnamon stick
Preparation
Combine all ingredients (excluding rum and vodka) into a hot mug. Mix together with a spoon. Add rum and vodka. Pour in hot water (1 cup or more to personal taste) and stir vigorously until the mixture has dissolved. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Day 12: Star of Night
Toast to the final night with a fizzy elixir that requires very little effort to make, creating more room to drink, dine, and dance. The Star of Night is an enchanting way to celebrate our many accomplishments from throughout the year, all while wishing for an even more brighter, exciting New Year. Cheers!
Ingredients
4 oz. Prosecco
1 oz. Blueberry-infused vodka (We used Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka)
Pommery Pink POP
Starfruit
Preparation
Pour chilled Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry vodka into a flute. Top with Pommery Pink POP and garnish with a starfruit.
