Best Christmas cocktails and drinks

Cocktail shaker at the ready - this is your list of the best Christmas cocktails and drinks:

• Eggnog
• Sloe gin fizz
• Baileys White Russian
• Snowball
• Something with Baileys
• Picante
• Gingerbread Martini
• Christmas ale

Now let’s learn more about them:

Eggnog

What is eggnog?

Eggnog is a rich alcoholic drink, sometimes referred to as a ‘milk punch’ and associated with the festive period. It is made from a spirit such as rum, whisky or brandy (or a combination of the latter two), and milk, cream, sugar, nutmeg and egg yolk, as well as whipped egg whites.

Top tip!

Grate your nutmeg directly into the drink, rather than using pre-ground or grated nutmeg - this makes for a stronger, better nutmeg flavour.

Allergy alert

Eggnog is made using two of the 14 major food allergens - Milk and Eggs. Because it uses milk as an ingredient it is also unsuitable for those who are lactose intolerant.

Sloe gin fizz

What is sloe gin fizz?

Sloe gjn fizz is a cocktail made by mixing sloe gin with fresh or concentrated lemon juice and topping up ith fizzy water. It is usually garnished with a blackberry.

Sloe gin, unlike regular gin, is made from sloe berries, which are mixed with sugar and steeped in gin. Sloe gin tastes sweeter and less harsh than regular gin.

Top tip!

Replace the sparkling water with prosecco or cava for a stronger drink.

Baileys white Russian

What is a Baileys white Russian?

A Baileys white Russian is a white Russian cocktail made with either the addition of Baileys Irish cream or the substitution of it for one of the other ingredients. A white Russian is made by mixing vodka, coffee liqueur and cream, and serving over ice in an ‘old fashioned’ glass.

In a Baileys white Russian the cream is generally replaced with Baileys Irish cream (made from Irish whiskey, dairy cream and chocolate flavours).

Top tip!

For the prettiest Baileys white Russian, mix the vodka and coffee liqueur in the glass, add the ice and then pour the Baileys in.

Allergy alert

Baileys contains Milk, one of the 14 major food allergens.

Snowball

What is a snowball?

A snowball is a cocktail made from equal parts advocaat and lemonade, served chilled with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime.

Advocaat is a Dutch drink made from eggs, sugar and brandy. It is similar in texture to custard.

Top tip!

A maraschino cherry is the perfect festive garnish for a snowball.

Allergy alert

Advocaat is made using Eggs, one of the 14 major food allergens

Picante

What is a picante?

A picante is a cocktail made by muddling a small amount of red chilli in a cocktail shaker to release the oils, then shaking with tequila, coriander leaves, lime juice, honey and ice. The mix can be strained into a margarita glass or poured directly.

Top tip!

Salt the rim of the glass as you would with a margarita.

Gingerbread martini

What is a gingerbread martini?

A gingerbread martini is a vodka-based cocktail. It is made with either fresh or processed ginger syrup (the former made using sugar, ginger and cinnamon, lemon peel), hazelnut liqueur and the Italian bitter liqueur Amaro - as well as vodka. The ingredients are mixed together with a small amount of water and chilled to encourage infusion.

Top tip!

You don’t need to use hazelnut liqueur - if you prefer a lessy nutty flavour, substitute this ingredient with limoncello or another fruit-based liqueur.

Allergy alert

Hazelnut liqueur is made with hazelnuts, a (Tree) Nut and one of the 14 major food allergens.

Christmas ale

What is Christmas ale (also known as Jólaöl & Applesin)?

Christmas ale, sometimes called Jólaöl & Applesin is a traditional Icelandic drink, particularly associated with Christmas. It is made by mixing Malt (a white ale) and Appelsín (an orange soft drink), both of which are manufactured by the Ölgerðin brewery, founded in 1913.

Top tip!

It’s recommended to pour Appelsin in the glass before Malt, as it will foam up if you do it the other way round and potentially overflow.