After all of your holiday baking, Christmas shopping, and other holiday related obligations, it’s likely that you will take any opportunity to kick back and relax by the crackling fireplace, with a deliciously festive holiday cocktail.
To make your cocktails have a festive feel, you can garnish them with candy canes, Christmas colored sprinkles or any other holiday inspired toppings of your liking. The options are endless!
These delightful cocktails will add cheer to your holiday season, while impressing anyone you serve them to.
Here is one favorite of mine, which I found on delish.com. I used this recipe last year, and will do so again, as it is a perfect addition to my holiday gatherings. I mean, who doesn’t love the flavor of sugar cookies?
So, whether you’re hosting a get-together or enjoying a quiet night at home, there’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with this festive drink in hand!
SUGAR COOKIE MARTINI
Ingredients
For the MARTINI
- 1/2 c. whole milk
- 1/4 c. Baileys
- 2 oz. vanilla vodka
- 2 oz. amaretto
- Ice
For the RIM
- 1/2 c. vanilla frosting
- 1/4 c. sprinkles, plus 1 tsp., divided
- Pre-made sugar cookie dough
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll sugar cookie dough out to ¼” thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut out desired shapes then place cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until just set and lightly golden around the edges, 12 minutes. Let cool.
Step 2
Using an offset spatula, spread a thin layer of frosting onto the rim of two martini glasses. Pour ¼ cup sprinkles onto a small plate then dip rims in sprinkles to coat. Use an offset to frost cookies with frosting then decorate with remaining 2 tablespoons sprinkles.
Step 3
In a cocktail shaker, combine milk, Baileys, vodka, and amaretto. Add ice and shake until cold. Pour into glasses and garnish rim with a gingerbread cookie, or any other garnish that suits you.
GINGERBREAD MARTINI
Gingerbread Fun Fact…
As for gingerbread houses, they became popular in Germany many years ago.
The Hansel & Gretel folk story told of how two siblings stumbled across a candy house, after being abandoned and very hungry during the Great Famine. Although the story was not quite uplifting, much joy has been spread throughout the centuries, with gingerbread houses and the gingerbread man.
According to Epicure & Culture, during those times, gingerbread was sacred, and the only time it was allowed to be made by the general public was during Christmas and Easter. So, that is likely why it’s seen as a Christmas inspired treat.
This Christmas, when you eat your gingerbread cookies, or drink a gingerbread-flavored cocktail, just think about how these little guys became such a popular winter favorite.
The Gingerbread Martini is a delicious cocktail, and during the holidays, a fun and festive drink to add to any of your gatherings. I borrowed this creative and holiday inspired cocktail from Trisha Yearwood on The Food Network website.
Ingredients
4 ounces Irish cream liqueur, such as Baileys
4 ounces vodka, such as Kettle One
2 ounces coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua
2 ounces Gingerbread Syrup, recipe follows
2 scoops vanilla ice cream, softened
Whipped cream, for topping
Small handful gingerbread cookies, crushed
Gingerbread Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
5 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
One 2-inch piece fresh ginger, cut into rounds
Directions
- Combine the Irish cream liqueur, vodka, coffee liqueur, Gingerbread Syrup and ice cream in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Pour into four chilled martini glasses.
- Top each with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of gingerbread cookie crumbs.
Gingerbread Syrup:
- Add the sugar, water, cloves, cinnamon and ginger to a small saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before using, about 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
