It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and what goes better with the holiday spirit than cocktails. Mixologists around the world experiment with seasonal ingredients, and Christmas themed drinks that appeal to the festive spirit. Crowd favourites such as chocolate and cinnamon find their way in some classic recipes to serve those who love their drinks with a side of nostalgia. Whether you want to be cosy with a glass of mulled wine, or a complex concoction, we’ve got you covered. Below, mixologists share simple recipes that can be whipped up in no time, and enjoyed with your loved ones.
Eggnog
The origins of eggnog might be unknown, but the popularity of this Christmas classic is undisputed. Mohit Gadgil, beverage manager at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, shares, “Eggnog is a drink that stirs up memories for most people, and you either love it or hate it. However you feel about it personally, it`s hard to deny that it is embedded in holiday traditions. The drink has taken on many spiked and non-alcoholic variations as it travelled the world.”
Ingredients
60ml Bourbon Whisky or Dark Rum
60ml Cream
Egg white of one egg
2 tbsp Demerera Sugar
Freshly grated nutmeg
Method
1 Mix all the ingredients in a shaker.
2 Add ice and shake well.
3 Strain the drink into the roly-poly glass.
4 Grate nutmeg.
5 Garnish the drink with star anise and chocolate cigar
6 Chocolate Orange Martini
Say Christmas, and we think chocolate, present it in a Martini, and you are sure to win over any room. “Chocolate and citrus is a classic flavour combination that truly resonates with the festive spirit of Christmas. The hint of hazelnut and fresh cream completes the ingredient profile that`s so reminiscent of a Christmas celebration with family and friends,” explains Naveen Kotyankar, beverage head of British Brewing Company.
Ingredients
30 ml White Rum
15 ml Orange Liqueur
30 ml Chocolate Sauce
10 ml Hazelnut Syrup
60 ml Fresh Cream
Method
1 Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
2 Strain and pour into a chilled chocolate rimmed Martini glass.
3 Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Mulled Wine
“The drink is freshly made to order. All the Indian spices are freshly roasted and simmered in red wine and in the end, they add brandy to make sure you get the right kick. Garnished with cloves, this drink will warm your heart and make your evening as X-massy as it can get,” shares Sasmit Manjrekar, bar manager, Elephant & Company. Manjrekar’s recipe is a sure shot crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
180 ml Red wine
30 ml Brandy
3 Orange slices
5-6 pieces Cloves
1 big stick Cinnamon
2-4 Black pepper
10-12 gm Sugar
Grated nutmeg as per taste
Method
1 Roast all Indian spices on a pan on low flame and roast them lightly to extract maximum flavour.
2 Add orange slice and brandy once it is lightly roasted.
3 Add in the wine.
4 Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not boil.
5 Turn the flame off and garnish with an orange slice and spices of your choice.
The Mistletoe
It certainly can be debated about the best liquor to serve when looking for a signature drink or Christmas cocktail recipe which appeals to most. According to Avril Gonsalves, bar manager at Kyma, our tastes evolve. He says, “As we age, our taste buds tend to evolve and our preferences can change. With simple ingredients, you can make delightful Christmas cocktail recipes that are sure to be the hit of your holiday celebrations.”
Ingredients
30 ml Gin
10 ml Ginger juice
10 ml Lime
10 ml Sugar
30 ml Sparkling wine
30 ml Cranberry juice
Method
1 Bring all ingredients together in a shaker.
2 Shake over ice.
3 Garnish with sugar coated cherry.
X-Mas Plum Sour
Plum is another Christmas favourite used in a number of delicacies, including the beloved plum cake. Nikhil Abhyankar, bar supervisor at Nho Saigon decided to experiment with a plum-forward cocktail which is fresh, and easy to make. “The Christmas season is a time when plum is widely used, which makes us offer a complex sour cocktail on our Christmas cocktail menu,” says Abhyankar.
Ingredients
60ml Gin
20 ml White wine
30ml Egg white
40 ml In-house plum cordial (Our in-house plum cordial is made by blending fresh plum with sugar and lime)
Method
1 Bring all ingredients together in a shaker.
2 Shake over ice.
Read more: Of truffles and gingerbread: Three Christmas sweets you can make in an hour
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