Festive Holiday Party Drink Recipes
Old Blue Eyes Martini [1]
We converted shot measures used by P.J. Barrera at Jake's Old City Grill to standard kitchen measures (a shot equals 1.25 ounces) in this lovely purple-blue holiday martini. It's as smooth as Frank Sinatra's voice.
Poinsettia Mimosas [5]
The bubbly refresher is our version of a popular sipper at Marshall Field's Oak Grill in Minneapolis.
Jolly Gin Fizz [9]
Part punch, part cocktail, this effervescent pink drink is perfect for holiday parties. If you don't have ginger beer or prefer a milder ginger flavor, substitute ginger ale.
Jolly Gin Fizz [10]
Blue Blue Christmas Cocktail [13]
Cheer the holidays with bold Blue Blue Christmas Cocktail -- a combination of vodka or rum, white cranberry juice, blue Curacao and lime juice.
Cranberry-Raspberry Spritz [17]
Big party coming up? Offer guests Cranberry-Raspberry Spritz, which includes a make-ahead syrup base (enough for 80 servings!) and either champagne, carbonated water or lemon-lime carbonated beverage.
Mulled Cranberry Punch [21]
This blend of cranberry juice, juice concentrate, spices, orange juice and water simmers in your slow cooker.
Red Apple Crisp [25]
Spiced rum, red apple liqueur and cranberry juice add spicy fruit flavor to this crimson drink from Blue Plate Catering of Chicago.
Red Apple Crisp [26]
Deluxe eggnogs [29]
Chocolate, coffee, orange juice, ice cream and strawberries bring fresh flavors and colors to our eggnog recipes. The recipe for Chocolate Eggnog Deluxe (top right and lower left) also includes ideas for Double Chocolate and Nonalcoholic Chocolate versions; Holiday Orange-Eggnog Punch can be made with strawberries or strawberry ice cream for Strawberry Eggnog.
Deluxe eggnogs [30]
Seduction Martini [34]
Berry vodka, pomegranate liqueur and cranberry juice bring a blush to this drink from Jake's Old City Grill, Saginaw City, Michigan.
Seduction Martini [35]
Indian Summer Cocktail [38]
Liqueurs and fruit juice balance nicely in this beautiful green drink from a Schaumburg, Illinois, restaurant.
Chocolate Milk Shake Cocktail [42]
Peppermint and chocolate give this splashy, nonalcoholic drink a festive, flavorful edge.
Pomegranate Martini [46]
This martini features a combination of pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, lime juice and vodka. Decorate glasses by rubbing the rims with a lime, then dipping in red and white sugar.
Pomegranate Martini [47]
Hot Buttered Rum and Spiced Pear Tea [50]
Freeze a base of ice cream, butter, sugar and spices, then combine with rum and boiling water when you're ready to serve our Hot Buttered Rum.
Pear nectar, honey, an orange and spices flavor easy-to-make Spiced Pear Tea.
Hot Buttered Rum [51]
Spiced Pear Tea [52]
Stained-Glass Kaleidoscope [55]
For a pretty party presentation: Press thin slices of fruit (such as kiwi fruit, strawberries, oranges, seedless grapes and/or maraschino cherries) against the sides of 6- to 10-ounce rocks glasses. Cover and place in freezer. Check after 20 to 30 minutes and replace any fruit that has fallen off the sides of the glasses. Freeze for 4 hours or overnight. When ready to serve add a little ice and your favorite clear carbonated beverage. If you want to add a little color, drizzle some grenadine over the top.
Twinkling Ginger Champagne Punch [58]
This sparkling drink is perfect to serve before or after dinner. For a nonalcoholic version, use the gingered syrup (without the vodka) in sparkling water or sparking cider.
Spiced Apple-Cranberry Cider [62]
This quick and easy drink combines cranberry-juice cocktail with apple cider or apple juice, cloves, and cinnamon. Garnish with a skewer of cranberries, if you like.
Punch with a Punch [66]
This ruby-red beverage gets its kick from tequila. If you'd prefer a nonalcoholic option, use lemon-lime carbonated beverage instead of the tequila.
Punch with a Punch [67]
Spirited Cranberry-Rum Punch [70]
This crimson, two-ingredient beverage is equally at home at a brunch or evening get-together. Use a less expensive rum for this no-fuss cocktail.
Gluhwein (Hot Mulled Wine) [74]
Udo Heinz from the Baum Wine Group in Bensenville, Illinois, says he fixes this German/Austrian specialty in the traditional Nuremberg way: hot, a bit sweet and spiced. We created both an adult and a nonalcoholic "kinder" (kids') version using directions from Udo.