Christmas cocktails sure to impress your guests

Everyone is looking for better and exciting ways to impress their guests this Christmas. From planning delicious lunches and exuberant dinners, we tend to forget about the drinks. Sure, a glass of champagne will do the trick, but why not get creative with some fancy cocktails. Your guests will definitely love the taste and your instagrammable presentation. 

Cranberry Mojito

Mojitos are a great cocktail for the summer. The fresh ingredients used to make this drink gives it the much-loved flavour everyone enjoys. You can turn things up a notch this Christmas by introducing a cranberry mojito to your menu. 

The cranberry mojito is full of freshness with these ingredients:

• simple syrup
• fresh mint
• rum
• freshly squeezed lime juice
• cranberry juice
• soda water

Directions:
In a tall glass add mint leaves and lime juice. Muddle slightly to release all the delicious mint flavour. Fill glass with ice and add in 50ml (two tots) of simple syrup and 50ml of rum. Top with soda water and add some fresh cranberries for garnish.

Christmas Cosmos

The cosmopolitan is popular amongst the ladies. Guys secretly enjoy it too. Poolside or an elegant dinner, your guests will love their little pink drinks. 

Grab a punch bowl and make some for everyone using these ingredients:

• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup pomegranate-cranberry juice blend
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• Lime twists or cherries
• Sugar

Directions:
Put the vodka, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a large punch bowl. Add ice and stir for 30 seconds or until cold. Dip the rim of the glass into the sugar. Pour the drink into the glass and garnish with lime twists or cherries. 

Tipsy Grinch Punch

The green and red colours from this cocktail are sure to make the grinch of a guest cheerful. You can also learn how to make your own coloured sanding sugar with this cocktail if you cannot find them at the supermarket. 

Here are the ingredients you need to make the tipsy grinch:

• 1 packet Kool-Aid lemon-lime mix 
• 4 cups of  water
• 4 cups of ice 
• 3 cups of lemon-lime soda 
• 2 cups of pineapple juice 
• 2 cups of vodka 
• 1 cup of ginger ale 
• Lime wedges for rimming 
• Red sanding sugar for rimming 

Directions:
Combine the Kool-Aid and water in a large jug. In a large punch bowl, combine ice, kool-aid, soda, pineapple juice, vodka, and ginger ale. Dip the glass rim in sanding sugar to coat. Also, use a lime wedge to rim glasses. Pour the punch into glasses to serve the grinchy guests.

Snowy Martini

Ever wondered what James Bond drinks during Christmas? A Snowy Martini of course. This drink is fun to make. Your guests can get involved too. 

To make Snowy Martinis you will need:

• 1/2 cup whole milk
• Cream liqueur
• Vanilla vodka
• Amaretto
• Ice
• Vanilla frosting
• Sprinkles

Directions:
Spread a thin layer of vanilla frosting onto the glass rim and dip them in the sprinkles to coat. Combine the milk, cream liqueur, vodka, and amaretto in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until cold. Pour into the martini glasses and enjoy like 007.

If you have a few guests who are under the drinking age limit or those who simply do not consume alcohol, here are a few ideas to grab their tastebuds:

• Sparkling juice with gummy bears in a flute glass.
• Fruit juice with apple gratings and strawberries.
• Chocolate milk with whipped cream or whipped topping.

These delicious cocktails will have your guests raving until the next time you wow them with your great drink ideas. Make the best of your Christmas party and indulge responsibly when consuming alcohol this festive season.