Festive Holiday Cocktails

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – at least that’s what Andy Williams would say. And we don’t disagree. The PNW becomes cold, rainy, and it gets dark early, but that just means more time to snuggle up, grab a book, or watch a movie with delicious snacks and a drink. It’s also such a beautiful time of year with all the lights and decorations and celebrations with friends and family. If you’re hosting or attending any parties this season, we’ve collected a list of 10 cocktails that will make your friends wonder when you had the time to attend bartending school. Whether you prefer classic or unique, or non-alcoholic, we’ve got your mixology covered. Let us know in the comments which one you liked best!

*Ingredients listed in bold are available at Bartell’s. Stock levels may vary per store.

Mulled Wine

Makes 4 – 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 750 mL bottle of dry red wine, try 14 Hands Hot to Trot
1/4 cup Grand Marnier
1 orange, sliced into rounds
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
2 to 4 tablespoons Anna’s Honey

Add wine, brandy, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and 2 tablespoons sweetener to a large saucepan. Stir briefly to combine.

Cook the mulled wine on medium-high heat until it just barely reaches a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours.

Using a fine mesh strainer, remove and discard the orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Give the mulled wine a taste, and stir in extra sweetener if needed.

Serve warm in heatproof mugs.

Modified from: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/mulled-wine-recipe/#tasty-recipes-61790

Santa’s Hat

Makes 2 servings
Ingredients:
Ice
1 oz Crown Royal
1 oz amaretto liqueur
2 oz Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice
Sugar for rim

Rim shot glasses with sugar. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the whisky, amaretto, and cranberry juice. Shake well. Strain into two shot glasses.

Modified from: https://www.thespruceeats.com/red-snapper-shot-recipe-761625

Snowball Cocktail

Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
Finely-crushed candy canes
1 1/2 oz. white chocolate liqueur
1 oz. Kraken Rum
1/2 oz. ginger liqueur
Ice
Water

Dip the rim of the glass with water and add the finely crushed candy canes. Combine white chocolate liqueur, rum, ginger liqueur, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, then strain into prepared glass.

Modified from: https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/a29625988/driven-snow-cocktail-recipe/

Holiday Cookie Martini

Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
Sprinkles
Vanilla icing
1.5 oz. vanilla vodka
1.5 oz. Baileys Irish Cream
.75 oz. amaretto
1 tsp. confectioner’s sugar
3 tbsp. milk or Half & Half
1 cup ice

Rim the glass vanilla icing and sprinkles until coated. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled and strain into a prepared martini glass.

Modified from: https://www.3yummytummies.com/sugar-cookie-martini/

Apple Cider Sangria

Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
2 small apples, thinly sliced
1 medium lemon, cut into wedges
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
2 cups apple cider
1/2 cup Crown Royal Whisky
1/4 cup E&J Vs Brandy
1 1/2 cups Domaine Ste. Michelle Sparkling Wine
Cinnamon and sugar mixture for rim
Cinnamon sticks and star anise for garnish

Rim glasses with cinnamon and sugar. To a large pitcher, add apple, lemon, and pomegranate seeds. pour apple cider into the pitcher, followed by whiskey, and brandy. Refrigerate for a few hours and add the sparkling wine right before serving. Pour sangria into glasses and garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and a star anise.

Modified from: https://www.recipegirl.com/apple-cider-sangria/

Bourbon Flip

Ingredients:
2 ounces Maker’s Mark or Bulliet Bourbon
1 ounce simple syrup
1 large egg
3 to 4 ice cubes
freshly grated nutmeg for garnish