When it comes to holiday cocktail recipes, there’s no need to overcomplicate things, the simpler the better. In fact, there is so much you can do with some basic, cocktail ingredients and we’re here to show you the way. We’ve collaborated with Sabrina Traubner from Athletic Club & Social to bring you four foolproof festive cocktails. Perfect for Christmas, NYE and just the general festive season.

All cocktails listed can be made as a punch, simply multiply the individual recipe by 6 or however big the punch needs to be. One thing to keep in mind is that it’s best that all sparkling ingredients be added once it is ready to be served.

Festive Cocktail 1: Tipsy Tree

This festive cocktail is sure to wow your guests and get them in the holiday spirit. The Tipsy Tree cocktail is a great welcome drink for Christmas dinner and even NYE, an elite drink if you ask us. This festive cocktail is also the perfect drink for your holiday brunch or Christmas lunch!

Glass: Champagne Flute

Ingredients

4 tsp (20 ml) Home-made cinnamon syrup*
75 ml cranberry juice
top with Colmant Brut MCC

Garnish: Lemon zest (discard) rosemary sprig
Ice: cubed

Method

Add cinnamon syrup and cranberry juice to glass mix well to ensure syrup does not sit at the bottom.
Top with Colmant Brut MCC.
Lift ingredients gently to ensure that everything is mixed well.
Zest lemon zest over the glass and rub oils onto glass, then discard the zest.
Slap rosemary sprig to release flavours and garnish.

Home-made Cinnamon Syrup

2 Cups (500 ml) of water
4 cinnamon sticks
1 ½ cups or (375 ml) sugar

Method

In a small pot add water and cinnamon and bring to a boil.
Simmer for 10 minutes and then strain out cinnamon sticks.
Bring water back to a boil, add the sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.

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Festive Cocktail 2: Deer Me

This drink truly is a cup of holiday cheer, who knew Jagermeister could be so versatile! With this festive cocktail, you’ll be hearing jingle bells in no time. We guarantee your guests will ask for this drink on repeat.

Glass: Tumbler

Ingredients

2 tots *(50 ml) Jagermeister
1 tot (25 m) fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp (15 ml) simple syrup*

Garnish: orange zest
Ice: cubed

Method

Add all ingredients to the glass.
Mix well to ensure all ingredients are mixed and that there is sufficient dilution.
Garnish with orange zest and rub zest around the glass.

Simple Syrup

1 Cup (250 ml) white sugar
1 Cup (250 ml) water

Method

Add all ingredients to a pot, bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved.

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Festive Cocktail 3: The Nutcracker

The ultimate refreshing, summer festive cocktail. You’re going to want one of these in your hand aaaaaall Christmas day. The Nutcracker’s got mint, apple juice, soda water, all simple but incredibly delicious ingredients that will keep you cool for all your festive fun.

Glass: Highball

Ingredients

2 tots (50 ml) Frangelico
2 tots (50 ml) apple juice
8-12 mint leaves
top with soda water

Garnish: mint sprig
Ice: cubed

Method

Add all ingredients to glass except mint.
Slap mint to release the flavours and add to glass.
Add ice to glass.
Mix well by lifting the ingredients.
Top with soda water.

Garnish with mint sprig.

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Festive Cocktail 4: The Samedi Storm

A game-changing festive cocktail! This drink is the perfect way for you to start your holiday off with a little something extra. It’s bitter, it’s delicious, it’s elegant, it’s everything you want in a holiday cocktail and more.

Glass: Highball

Ingredients

2 tots (50 ml) Baron Samedi Rum
1 tot (25 ml) fresh lime juice
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
Top with Fitch and Leedes Spicy Ginger Beer

Garnish: lime wedge
Ice: cubed

Method

Add all ingredients to glass.
Mix well to ensure all ingredients are mixed.
Garnish.

And just like that, you’ve got your festive drinks sorted! Click here to read our Q&A with Sabrina Traubner from Athletic Club & Social.