The holiday season is a wonderful time to host friends and family. Offering a range of festive mocktails and cocktails ensures all your guests can partake in the celebratory cheer. Mocktails bring vibrant colors, intriguing flavors, and seasonal whimsy without the alcohol. For those looking to add some extra spirit to their drinks, a splash of alcohol can seamlessly turn these mocktails into cheerful cocktails.
Festive Cranberry Sparkler
- 2 parts sparkling apple juice
- 1 part cranberry juice
- 1 orange slice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
Add 1 part sparkling wine or vodka if making a cocktail
This gorgeous holiday mocktail combines apple, cranberry and orange topped with warming cinnamon and anise. Adding sparkling wine or vodka makes a spirited cranberry cocktail, drawing out the bright fruit flavors and nicely complementing the seasonal spices.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1⁄4 cup chocolate syrup
- 1 oz dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- Whipped cream & crushed peppermints to taste
Add 1-2 oz peppermint schnapps for the cocktail
Instructions
- Heat almond milk and chocolate syrup in a small saucepan over medium, stirring frequently, until hot but not boiling.
- Remove from heat and whisk in chopped dark chocolate until completely melted and smooth.
- Stir in peppermint extract.
- Pour hot chocolate mixture into mugs.
- Top with sweetened whipped cream and garnish with crushed peppermints.
Warm up with this rich, decadent mocktail topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermints. The addition of peppermint schnapps accentuates that cool, sweet minty flavor and gives it a delightful candy cane taste.
Iced Chai Chiller
- 2 parts chai tea concentrate
- 1 part apple cider
- Dash of nutmeg
Add 1-2 oz spiced rum for cocktail
This non-alcoholic blend of chai and apple cider is cooling and comforting. Adding spiced rum incorporates festive baking spices like cinnamon and clove, giving this chilled mocktail a delicious, warm twist.
Gingersnap Cookie Cocktail
- 2 parts ginger beer
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 part molasses syrup
- 1 part lemon juice
- Gingersnap garnish
Add 1-2 oz whiskey
With ginger, molasses and lemon, this drink emulates the essence of a gingersnap cookie. The whiskey incorporates oaky, vanilla notes that perfectly pair with the pronounced ginger and molasses flavors.
Poised Poire with Gin
- 2 parts pear nectar
- 1 part ginger ale
- 1 part lime juice
- Rosemary garnish
Add 1-2 oz gin for cocktail
Elegant floral pear and bright citrus complement the botanical flavors of gin, like juniper, coriander and citrus in this mocktail. Tailor the recipe to craft either a refreshing non-alcoholic mixer or a balanced, spirited gin cocktail.
Offering festive mocktail and cocktail choices makes your holiday party inclusive for all guests. These festive sippers can be tailored to offer both spirited and non-spirited options that inspire seasonal cheer!