Is there any harder hit to a holiday host’s pride than when a guest asks for a mixed drink whose ingredients are absent from your bar cart? Well. Except for when a guest wears an even uglier sweater than yours. We can’t help you win your ugly sweater contest, but we can prepare you for everything you’ll need on your bar cart for holiday entertaining.
Is there any harder hit to a holiday host’s pride than when a guest asks for a mixed drink whose ingredients are absent from your bar cart?
Well. Except for when a guest wears an even uglier sweater than yours.
We can’t help you win your ugly sweater contest, but we can prepare you for everything you’ll need on your bar cart for holiday entertaining. Keep reading for a complete guide on how to make the six most-requested cocktails at holiday parties, which ingredients to have on hand to mix them up and more helpful holiday hosting hacks.
A Manhattan is a classic, popularly ordered cocktail, but there’s a bit more to it than just a spirit and mixer. Make sure you’ve got these ingredients in your arsenal before the aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins twice-removed arrive.
The Recipe
¾ ounce sweet vermouth
Combine the bourbon, vermouth, bitters and a few ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir gently. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the bourbon mixture over the cherry. Rub the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink to release the oils, but don't drop it in.
It’s not just The Dude’s favorite tipple, it’s also the drink of choice for party guests who love a simple, creamy and caffeinated three-ingredient cocktail. The host abides.
The Recipe
1 ½ ounces V5 Vodka
1 ounce Cayman Reef Kona Coffee Liqueur
½ ounce heavy cream
In a rocks glass over ice, add vodka and coffee liqueur. Top with heavy cream.
The whiskey sour is the patron saint of those who don’t typically drink but enjoy a sweet cocktail or two when in good company. Keep this recipe on deck to walk your holiday party guests through a whiskey wonderland.
The Recipe
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
¾ ounce simple syrup
Egg white (optional)
Combine bourbon, lemon juice, egg white (if using) and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with a cherry.
No, not sbagliato (we know you were thinking it). This bitter beauty is making a major comeback, so get ready to mix up plenty of them this holiday season.
The Recipe
1 ounce Grays Peak Gin
1 ounce Campari Aperitivo
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Add gin, Campari and sweet vermouth to a glass with ice. Stir gently and garnish with an orange peel.
There are countless ways to dress up a classic G&T, from refreshing herb garnishes to a splash of elderflower liqueur. For holiday hosting purposes, keep the essentials on deck and a couple of different fresh garnish options to wow your guests on a budget.
The Recipe
1 ½ ounces Grays Peak Gin
3 ounces tonic water
Add gin and tonic water to a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
There’s no better holiday party pick-me-up than a smooth, sophisticated espresso martini. Brew a pot of coffee before your guests arrive (or make it the day before and refrigerate it) so you can whip up this trending cocktail on the fly.
The Recipe
1 ⅓ ounces V5 Vodka
⅔ ounce Cayman Reef Kona Coffee Liqueur
⅔ ounce espresso
3 whole coffee beans
Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
This bonus category is for those hosts who are The Mom Friend: they’ve always got a pack of gum, a bottle of ibuprofen and an extra bottle of water in their bag for anyone who needs it. These holiday hosts are prepared for whatever their guests might need - including those who don’t drink.
ALL of us have friends and family who don’t drink alcohol for various reasons, and these folks deserve to sip on a festive drink, too. Browse ABC’s vast collection of delicious non-alcoholic mocktail recipes, from the easy to the elaborate.
So, to recap, here is a handy list of everything you’ll need to serve your party guests their favorite cocktails this holiday season:
Cream (half & half works, too)
Espresso
Eggs (for drinks that use egg whites)
Herbs for garnish (rosemary, mint, sage, basil, etc.)
More of a visual learner? Watch along as we show you how to stock your bar with the essentials above in a way that’s easy to access (and easy on the eyes) here. Find more hosting tips by clicking the link below.
