Holiday Cheer

This holiday season, when everyone else is serving the traditional eggnog, mulled wine, or hot toddy, charm your guests with one (or all three!) of these festive holiday cocktails. Around the sparkling tree, these green, red, and white libations are sure to delight.

Mistletoe Martini

(serves 8)

Directions

½ cup whole cranberries

¼ cup granulated sugar, divided

2 Tbsp. kosher salt

1 wedge of lime, for rim

2 cups cranberry juice

12 oz silver tequila

8 oz triple sec

¼ cup grenadine syrup

½ cup plus 1 Tbsp. of lime juice, divided

12 cups of ice

Mint for garnish

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, toss cranberries with one tablespoon lime juice. Drain off the lime juice, then toss with two tablespoons of sugar. Pour onto a backing sheet to dry.

2. Combine the remaining sugar with salt on a shallow plate and mix to combine. Using the lime wedge, wet the rim of each glass, then dip it into the sugar-salt mixture.

3. Combine cranberry juice, tequila, triple sec, remaining ½ cup lime juice, and ice in a large blender, working in batches if necessary. Blend until smooth.

4. Pour into prepared chilled glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint and a couple of sugared cranberries.

Pistachio Martinis

(serves 1)

Ingredients

1 ½ parts vodka

1 ½ parts pistachio liquors

½ part Frangelico (you can substitute with amaretto)

Minced pistachios and simple syrup for garnish

Directions

1. Place minced pistachios on a plate or large saucer.

2. Wipe the rim of a chilled martini glass with simple syrup, then invert the glass onto the minced pistachios to coat the rim.

3. Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake and serve. Sprinkle with minced pistachio.

White Christmas Mojito

(serves 1)

Ingredients

2 oz coconut cream

1 ½ oz white rum

12 fresh mint leaves, plus 1 sprig for garnish

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp. granulated sugar

Ice

Sprite, for topping off

Pomegranate seeds, for serving

Directions

1. In a blender (or with a hand mixer), blend cream and rum until frothy.

2. In a glass, muddle mint leaves, lime juice, and sugar. Fill the glass with ice, pour the cream mixture over, and top off slowly with the Sprite.

3. Garnish with a mint sprig and pomegranate seeds.