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Get ready to start hearing "All I Want For Christmas Is You" blasting everywhere as Mariah Carey defrosts for the winter. It's hard to believe the holiday season is around the corner, but if you need help getting into the spirit, give these festive, holiday-inspired cocktails a try. Know of other yummy drink recipes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's? Let us know in the comments.
Related: The Best Boozy Gifts for Cocktail Lovers & Happy Hour Devotees
For a fun twist on a classic martini, try substituting gin with peppermint vodka. Add Bailey's or your choice of cream liqueur; white chocolate liqueur; and a dash of heavy cream. Stir it all up. Garnish the rim with chocolate sauce and crushed peppermint candy.
Related: The Best Boozy Gifts for Cocktail Lovers & Happy Hour Devotees
If you love tequila, a Thanksgiving-inspired marg will make perfect sense. In a mixing glass, combine half an ounce of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree, 2 ounces of apple cider, your tequila of choice (blanco preferred for this recipe), and a dash of bitter cognac. Add some ice and shake away. Rim the glass with a powdered cinnamon and brown sugar mix and enjoy. For extra heat, garnish with sliced jalapeños.
Bourbon lovers are sure to enjoy this one. In a shaker, combine pomegranate juice, your choice of bourbon, lemon and orange juice, and some simple or maple syrup as a sweetener. Shake it and serve on ice with some pomegranate seeds and a star anise or two as a garnish.
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Elevate this beloved winter classic by adding cinnamon and spiced vanilla. In a rimmed glass with brown sugar, add vodka, Kahlua (or your choice of coffee liqueur), cream liqueur, and some half and half for extra creaminess. For a vegan option, try adding a dash of vanilla-flavored almond or oat milk instead. Stir and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Though it's known as a refreshing summer drink popular in Europe, this drink can be re-created for the winter with a few tweaks. In a glass filled with ice, add about 3 ounces of Aperol, cranberry juice, and Prosecco or champagne, and top with some club soda. Mix it and garnish with cranberries, an orange slice, or whatever other fruits you'd like.
This cocktail is sure to impress whiskey lovers at a holiday dinner. In a shaker, add 2 ounces of whiskey, blood orange and lemon juice, some simply syrup, and 1 egg white. Add ice and shake it up. Strain and serve with a charred slice of blood orange as garnish.
This cocktail is sweet and sour with a hint of savory smokiness. In a glass, muddle blackberries and thyme. Add fresh lemon juice, 1 ounce of St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and gin. Shake it up with lots of ice, strain, and serve. Top it with sparkling water and garnish with more blackberry and thyme.
This revamped Shirley Temple is perfect for winding down after a night of festivities. In a tall glass, mix grenadine (or maraschino cherry juice, as this TikTokker suggests), ice, and your choice of vodka. Top with lemon-lime soda and garnish with a cherry.
This creative cocktail is delicious and fun to make. In a blender, add pineapple juice, coconut cream, vodka, and blue curaçao. Blend until smooth with a hefty amount of ice (6 to 8 cups). Rim the martini glass with coconut cream and coconut flakes, and enjoy.
If you're a wine lover, this recipe is sure to hit the spot. In a tall pitcher, add one bottle of red wine, a half-cup amaretto, apple cider, and a quarter-cup of fresh orange juice. Mix in you choice of fruits (this user added cranberries, apple, orange, and pear slices), combine and top with Sprite or lime seltzer. Garnish with more orange slices, star anise, fresh mint (optional), and a cinnamon stick.
