The winter season calls for cozy, comforting and festive drinks. We’ve picked out a few of our favorite cocktails perfect for a night in, holiday party or celebratory toast. Sip responsibly.
For Spicy Cocktail Lovers: Wassail
Ingredients:
- 2 quarts apple cider
- 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- 2-3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1-2 cups Virginia Spiced Rum of your choosing
Preparation:
In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the cider, orange and lemon juices, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and ground ginger; do not boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours. Remove from heat, add spirits and serve in mugs.
Optional: garnish with a cinnamon stick, orange peel and whole star anise.
Yields 8-10 servings.
For Caffeinated Cocktail Lovers: Peppermint Mocha
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Waterman Spirits Vanilla Organic Vodka
- 1.5 oz Espresso
- 1/2 oz Baileys Chocolate
- 1/2 oz Peppermint schnapps
Preparation:
Crush candy canes or peppermints to add to the rim of your cocktail. Add all ingredients to a shaker and pour over ice. Add whipped cream on top.
For Party Cocktail Lovers: Jingle Juice
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Virginia-Highland Whisky
- 1 oz cranberry sage simple syrup*
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ oz Cointreau
- Fresh red cranberries
- Orange bitters
Preparation:
Combine the first 5 ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until the shaker is completely frosted. Pour into a sugar rimmed glass and top with 2 dashes of orange bitters. Stir and garnish with 2-3 red cranberries.
For Chocolate Cocktail Lovers: Bourbon Cream Dark Cherry Chocolate Martini
Ingredients:
- 4 oz Tarnished Truth Bourbon Cream
- 2 oz White chocolate liquor
- 1 oz dark cherry syrup*
- Garnish: chocolate shavings and frozen cherry
Preparation:
Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings and a frozen cherry.
For Creamy Cocktail Lovers: Holiday Eggnog
Ingredients:
- 16 eggs separated
- 2 c. sugar
- (4) 14 oz. cans coconut milk
- 3 c. half & half
- 1 can condensed milk
- 4 c. Reservoir Bourbon
- ½ tsp allspice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp angostura bitters
- Pinch of salt
Preparation:
Yields 6-7 quarts. Whip the egg whites in a stand mixer on low until frothy (about 30 sec), then up to medium-high speed until they are thick and resemble shaving cream (about 90 secs). Add 1 cup of the sugar and mix on high, about 30 seconds. Set aside.
In separate bowl, combine the egg yolks and the other cup of sugar. Beat on medium-high until pale yellow and ribbony, about 2 minutes.
Add the coconut milk, the condensed milk, the half and half, spices, vanilla, bitters, and alcohol on a low speed to combine. Gently fold this into the egg-white mixture and serve. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
That’s not all, head here for the entire curated list of holiday-themed, winter cocktails to get you through the most festive time of year.