“Did Someone Say Beveragino?” | DIY Festive Cocktails

Since most of us are in a Tier 3 lockdown over the Christmas and New Year’s period, our favourite cocktail bars are shut (sad face). What better way to spice up our at-home celebrations with festive themed cocktails? From The Grinch to the New Years Eve sparkling cocktail, there is something for everyone to enjoy. I am sure these recipes will help you celebrate the last of 2020 or at least help you forget the year we have had!

The Grinch

Taking inspiration from our favourite Christmas classic, The Grinch! Who doesn’t want a mean green cocktail? For this cocktail, you will need:

• 60ml Vodka
• 60ml Pineapple Juice
• 30ml Lime Cordial, Midori or Apple Sours
• Ice to shake Ginger beer to top
• Optional decorations: red sugar and candy canes

(Makes one)

Method:

Measure your vodka, pineapple juice and green liquid of your choice out and pour them into a cocktail shaker. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and give it a good shake! Next, pour the mixture into a glass and top it off with ginger beer.

If you are wanting to make it extra ‘Grinchy’ you can add some red sugar around the rim of the glass before pouring the drink. To do this, add a tiny bit of water around the rim of your glass and dab the sugar onto the glass so it sticks and makes a red, frosty rim. To finalise this masterpiece, a red candy cane can be added to the glass.

Recipe from TikTok.

Baileys Salted Caramel Espresso Martini

For all our Baileys lovers, this martini is perfect for those Christmas nights in! This is a twist on the favourite espresso martini. Baileys have released a Salted Caramel Liqueur which is sure to go down a treat with a mince pie! For this mouth watering martini you will need:

• 50ml Baileys Salted Caramel Liqueur
• 50ml Vodka
• Ice
• 50ml Espresso
• 1 tablespoon double cream (optional)
• Coffee beans, gold decorations (optional)

(Makes one)

Method:

First, measure your Baileys Salted Caramel Liqueur, Vodka and Espresso, pouring them all into a cocktail shaker. Next, add ice and give it a good shake. Pour into a martini glass. For a special finishing touch you could add a drizzle of cream on top and some gold decorations for a bit of festive sparkle.

Recipe from Planet Food.

For martini glasses click here.

Mulled Wine Cocktail

Unfortunately this year we cannot sip our mulled wine whilst walking around Christmas markets. However, we can still enjoy this Christmas classic at home as a cocktail! For this festive favourite you will need:

• 100g light muscovado sugar
• 1 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cloves
• 150ml water
• 1 lemon
• 2 clementines
• 150ml Cointreau
• 750ml of light red wine
• Orange zest (optional to decorate)

(Serves 4-6 people)

Method:

In a pan add the light muscovado sugar, star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves and the water. Bring the water to boil, making sure to stir the ingredients until the sugar dissolves. Next, allow the mixture to simmer for two minutes. Pour into a large jug and leave to cool. Add the clementines (sliced thinly), Cointreau and the light red wine, and give it a good stir.

If you would prefer your cocktail chilled leave the mixture to chill for at least two hours. Or to warm you up on these cold winter days, you can serve the cocktails after it has simmered for two minutes. If you are serving it warm, make sure that it is served in a heat proof glass.

To decorate add a twist of orange!

Recipe from BBC goodfoods.

Christmosas

This is the perfect household-party drink for celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve this year! I have made this one before and it is delicious. It can be served in individual glasses or made into a boozy punch for ultimate party vibes! You will need:

• 2 Granny Smith apples
• 120g cranberries
• 100g green grapes
• 175g pomegranate seeds
• 240ml sparkling grape juice
• 1 bottle champagne, prosecco, or cava chambord to top (optional)

(Makes eight)

Method:

Chop up the Granny Smith apples into small pieces and halve your green grapes, adding both to a bowl or pitcher. Then, add cranberries and pomegranate seeds. Take your sparkling grape juice with the bottle of fizz of your choice and add both to the bowl. Give it a stir then serve.

If you fancy it, top off your drink with Chambord!

Recipe from Delish.

Shimmery New Year’s Eve Cocktail

I am sure we can all agree that we are ready to end 2020! What better way to celebrate this New Year’s Eve with a sparkling cocktail (which actually glitters)? For this glitzy cocktail you will need:

• 160g red grapes
• 100g sugar
• 120ml water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2tsp gold lustre dust
• 1 bottle of cava or champagne

(Makes eight)

Method:

If you are wanting to make the grape syrup, you need to place the red grapes, sugar, water and lemon juice in a sauce pan and stir the ingredients together. Next, boil the mixture on a medium heat for 5 minutes until you see the skins of the grapes pop. After this, let it simmer for 5 minutes. Strain your syrup through a mesh sieve and store it in a sealed bottle in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Or, if you are feeling lazy you can buy grape syrup from the shop (we won’t tell anyone).

To make the cocktail, pour one ounce of grape syrup into your champagne glasses. Next top them up with champagne and half a tea spoon of gold lustre dust to make them shimmer.

For champagne glasses click here.

Recipe from Tispy Giraffe.

A Final Comment

For the finest cocktail experience it may be worth buying a cocktail shaker.

You are now a cocktail connoisseur! With these five recipes you can turn your home into a cocktail bar over the festive season.

Happy cocktail making!

To find out the best food and drinks that Liverpool has to offer, and tasty recipes, check out some of our other articles!

Feature Image: Unsplash