Last-minute Christmas cocktail ideas: Pt.2
The final instalment in our yuletide cocktail flurry is seriously festive – with Brussels sprout garnishes, Horlick’s powder and mince pie syrup abound.
Why not treat yourself to a Christmas tipple?Christmas is right around the corner, but there’s still time for a quick supermarket dash for those thinking of making a yuletide libation.
Sweet-toothed imbibers will be overawed by a certain mince pie cocktail (made with a healthy serving of rum), while savoury palates might be taken by a hearty hot buttered punch. Whatever your idea of the perfect Christmas cocktail is, we’re sure to have it covered with our boozy selection.
So stoke the fire, don your favourite Christmas jumper and toast your way to Christmas Day with one of the following top tipples.
Click through the following pages to discover part two of our Christmas cocktail round-up.
Still searching for inspiration? Part one of our last-minute round-up will surely get you into the ‘spirit’ of things.
Home Alone
Scrooged by London Cocktail Club. Photo credit: Kevin WilliamsCreated by Aaron Wall of London Cocktail Club, the ultimately nostalgic Home Alone brings back some cherished favourites traditionally enjoyed at Christmas time for an Instagram-worthy twist.
Ingredients: 50ml Stoli Salted Karamel Vodka, 10ml chocolate sauce, 50ml almond half and half, 5g Horlicks powder, 10ml Monin Popcorn Syrup
Method: Shake and strain into highball inside Popcorn holder. Garnish with popcorn and Quality Street chocolate
Sprouting Gordon’s Gin Fizz
The humble Brussels sprout divides us, with the nation loving and loathing it in equal measure. In celebration of this Christmas classic, London’s M Restaurant has created the Sprouting Gordon’s Gin Fizz. The recipe below serves two.
Ingredients: 50ml Gordon’s gin, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 100ml cranberry syrup, 100ml Prosecco
Method: Fry par-boiled Brussels sprouts with a drizzle of honey until caramelized. Take out of the pan and pour 200ml of cranberry juice and 100ml of honey into the same pan. Boil and cool to create your syrup. In a tall glass pour ice, Gordon’s gin, lemon juice, lime juice and cranberry syrup and stir. Top with Prosecco and garnish with a spike of caramelized Brussels sprouts
‘The Snowball for those with a sweet tooth’
Warninks Advocaat recommends enjoying this sweet sipper with a slice of Christmas cake.
Ingredients: 50ml Warninks Advocaat, 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice/cordial, lemonade/soda
Method: Shake 50ml Warninks Advocaat and 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice or cordial together, strain into a glass mug and top up with lemonade or soda and some cubed ice. Garnish with a gingersnap and lightly toasted mini marshmallows
The Ghost of Christmas Past
A twist on a classic Corpse Reviver No.1, a series of cocktails made popular in the 1930s for their hangover busting capabilities is this year’s Christmas cocktail at Pollen Street Social.
Ingredients: Calvados, Ccognac, Italian vermouth, spiced, festive shrub syrup
Scrooged
Photo credit: Kevin WilliamsAnother London Cocktail Club creation, this time for the more serious of sippers. The elegant Scrooged combines Quiquiriqui mezcal with apple and lime for a Christmas libation worth savouring.
Ingredients: 40ml Jagermister Spiced, 10ml Quiquiriqui mezcal , 50ml apple juice,15ml lime juice, 5ml grenadine
Method: Shake and strain. Garnish with individually wrapped mint humbug and cinnamon flare
Sloe Ginger Mule Cocktail
London wine and cocktail bar Pennethorne’s paired with Sipsmith to create the Sloe Ginger Mule – a sweet spritz ideal to enjoy as an added festive twist to after-work drinks.
Ingredients: 50ml sloe gin, 25ml lime juice, ginger beer to top
Method: Combine sloe gin and lime juice over ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a slice of fresh lime
Avalanche
London hangout Plateau Bar & Grill launched a selection of warming cocktails in collaboration with Appleton Estate Rum and Wild Turkey Bourbon at winter pop-up, Off-Piste at Plateau.
Ingredients: Appleton Estate Rare Blend, Campari, Mandarine Napoleon, orange, cloves and anise to smoke
London Gent
London’s Old Bengal Bar has transformed its heated terrace festive winter retreat, offering an array of spirited seasonal cocktails each featuring Sipsmith.
Ingredients: Sipsmith London Cup, salted caramel syrup, sweet vermouth
The Captain’s Mince Pie Freakshake
When it comes to dessert, there’s a clear winner with the mince pie coming out trumps. The Captain’s Mince Pie Freakshake by London’s M Restaurant is set to be the go-to for those with a sweet tooth. This recipe makes four.
Ingredients: 200ml Captain Morgan Original Spiced, 200ml mince pie syrup, 500ml milk, 6 scoops vanilla ice cream
Method: In a pan mix 600g mincemeat, 200g sugar and 200ml water. Bring to the boil and chill for 30 mins. In a blender, whizz the milk, ice cream, mince pie syrup and Captain Morgan Original Spiced. Pour into a mason jar or tall glass. Decorate glass with syrup and sprinkles. Place mince pies on top of the glass and stab a straw through to drink
Hotei
At Jason Atherton’s downtown Tokyo-inspired London bar, 7 Tales, the team are serving a Japanese take on Baileys Irish Cream.
Ingredients: Nikka All Malt Japanese whisky, sugar syrup, cream seasoned with mace, toasted coconut and orange, sesame
Mr Frosty
Paying homage to the decade’s two most famous snowmen, Mr Frosty is a tribute to Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman animation and also takes inspiration from the popular DIY ice machine toy that lends the cocktail both its name and consistency – available at Jason Atherton’s London venue The Blind Pig.
Ingredients: Beefeater gin, crème de cacao, rhum agricole, lemon and pineapple syrup, milk
Serve: Present in a branded Mr Frosty cup with a spiced port reduction
‘The Snowball for party lovers’
Warninks Advocaat recommends serving this decadent chocolate twist at your glamorous festive get-together.
Ingredients: 50ml Warninks Advocaat, 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice/cordial, lemonade/soda
Method: Moisten the rim of a wine glass and roll on a plate of chocolate powder until covered. Shake 50ml Warninks Advocaat and 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice or cordial together, strain into a glass mug and top up with lemonade or soda and some cubed ice. Garnish with dark chocolate shavings.
Boxing Day Punch
Photo credit: Kevin WilliamsFor gin lovers, London Cocktail Clubs’ Boxer Gin Punch blends Calvados Apple Brandy with cinnamon for a fresh and fruity drink that can be shared or served individually.
Ingredients: 40ml Boxer Gin, 10ml Calvados Apple Brandy, 15ml lemon juice, 15ml vanilla syrup, 25ml apple juice, 25ml peach puree, 3 shakes cinnamon dust
Method: Shake and strain. Garnish with apple fans
Godfather Christmas
British grocery store-inspired bar, Temple and Sons, has created a seasonal twist on a classic Godfather cocktail.
Ingredients: Whiskey, amaretto, Cointreau, crème anglaise
Hot Buttered Gin Punch
French-Anglo restaurant Little Social has created comforting Christmas classic, Hot Buttered Gin Punch.
Ingredients: Portobello Road Gin infused with smoked butter, orange peel, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, hot cloudy apple juice
Boulevardier
Exclusively for the holiday season, London’s Sartoria partnered with Campari to create a stunning winter terrace inspired by Italy’s premier ski resort, Cortina d’Ampezzo, featuring a selection of seasonal cocktails.
Ingredients: Wild Turkey 101, Campari, Antica Formula
