Flick through our reel of yuletide cocktail inspiration to get you into the ‘spirit’ of things as Christmas approaches.

Party season is well and truly underway – why not celebrate with a wintery tipple?

Presents wrapped? Check. Mince pies consumed? Check. Halls decked with boughs of holly? Check. Sounds like it’s time for a festive cocktail or two!

If you’re lacking inspiration this year, we’ve got you covered – so well covered, in fact, that we’ve chosen to split the round-up into two parts, with the second to be published tomorrow.

From rich, dessert-like libations to boozy, warming sippers, there’s something to suit every palate (or platter!) in our festive haul. And yes, there’s a Snowball or two –  it wouldn’t quite feel like Christmas without one.

Click through the following pages to discover part one of our Christmas cocktail round-up.

‘The Snowball to get into the Christmas spirit’

Warninks Advocaat suggest enjoying this serve whilst decorating the tree or wrapping gifts with your favourite Christmas song playing in the background.

Ingredients: Warninks Advocaat, freshly squeezed lime juice/cordial, lemonade/soda

Method: Shake 100ml of Warninks Advocaat and 50ml freshly squeezed lime juice or cordial together, strain into a glass jar and top up with lemonade or soda and some cubed ice. Decorate with a cinnamon stick tied with string or ribbon to the side of a glass mug or jam jar and finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top

Winter Warmer Martini

This rich sipper was created at London’s Olives Bar in The Bailey’s Hotel – a neighbourhood bar inspired by Italy.

Ingredients: Amaretto, Pernod, double cream, Frangelico, Bailey’s Irish Cream

Mince Pie Bramble

This Christmas, London brunch chain Dirty Bones are serving up the Mince Pie Bramble alongside a range of festive specials such as Mac Baubles – Dirty Bones mac & cheese balls with a sweet chilli cranberry sauce.

Ingredients: Bombay Sapphire, lemon juice,  brandy and Port-infused mince pie reduction

Method: Shake

Fire Wood

This winter, Lodge d’Argent returns to the rooftops of London restaurant Coq d’Argent, creating a magical winter wonderland offering specially curated list of winter warmer cocktails by Angel De Sousa in collaboration with Hennessy Cognac. 

Ingredients: Hennessey Cognac, Pedro Ximenez, Kahlua, orange bitters, walnut bitters

First Class

To celebrate the festive period, London’s German Gymnasium has transformed its terrace into a German Winter Market, complete with winter market huts, fairy lights and snow, in partnership with Lufthansa airline.

Ingredients: Rum, homemade falernum, ginger soda, lime

Bergen Bitter

To celebrate the festive season, the team at Aquavit London have developed a list of Nordic cocktails for the winter months.

Ingredients: Orange and cinnamon aquavit, vermouth, chocolate bitters

Snow Flake

Tucked away inside Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington, the West8 Cocktail Lounge & Bar is celebrating the festive season with this winter warmer.
Ingredients: Spiced rum, cinnamon syrup, Baileys Irish Cream, crème de cacao, gomme syrup

Toblerone

This rich chocolatey treat is the creation of the Avista Bar at Millennium Mayfair Hotel, London
Ingredients: Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlua, Frangelico, double cream, chocolate syrup, honey

Spice World

London’s Ray’s Bar – one of fashionable Dalston’s latest drinking haunts – has conjured up Spice World; a smooth and flavoursome cocktail from the dessert section. Perfect for cold winter evenings.

Ingredients: Bourbon, chai, cream, spices

Vanilla Espression

Aquum in London has recently re-launched with a strong focus on the food and cocktails. Here, they take the Espresso Martini and given it a Christmas twist – a great post-dinner pick me up.

Ingredients: Cariel Vanilla Vodka, Tia Maria, espresso, sugar syrup, 

Rolling in the Groves

In association with Pococello, Chase and Williams GB Gin, London’s Cantina del Ponte presents Trattoria di Pococello, serving up a range of wintery cocktails. Rolling in the Groves is a twist on the Hanky Panky.

Ingredients: Pococello, William’s Dry GB gin, Belsazar Rosé Vermouth, Fernet Branco

Lady Marmalade

The founder of Chardonnay-infused vodka, Vintage Velvet, recommends creating the Lady Marmalade for entertaining at dinner parties.

 

Ingredients: Vintage Velvet vodka, Cointreau, cinnamon syrup, egg white

Floating Wish

This yuletide season, head to The Hari in London’s Belgravia for warm feelings of festiveness and a tipple… or two.

Ingredients: Amaretto, Frangelico, espresso, marshmallow cubes

Method: Combine ingredients. Lightly dust marshmallows with sugar and cinnamon mixture and flam before serving

Sleigh Me

Guests can now sample Jinjuu’s Christmas cocktails as part of the extensive drinks menu at Soho-based Korean fusion restaurant.
Ingredients: Dongji, sloe gin, sour cherry liqueur, mandarin bitters, Prosecco

‘The Snowball for winter nights in’

Snowflake Martini

The Library at Brown’s Hotel has transformed into an alpine-style retreat in the heart of London’s Mayfair, serving up such festive libations as the Snowflake Martini – garnished with an edible white snowflake.
Ingredients: Belvedere, Blue Curacao, cacao white liqueur, milk, cinnamon syrup

The Yellow Dwarf ‘Top Banana’

The Blueprint Café has unveiled The Blue Fairy Book of Booze as part of D&D London’s ‘Fairytales in the City’ campaign. The Yellow Dwarf ‘Top Banana’ is based on the original Blue Fairy Book compiled by Andrew Lain in 1889.

Ingredients: Infused rum, lime, sugar syrup, Crème de Banana

Berry Xmas

Also pride of place on Jinjuu’s Christmas cocktail menu is hot rum cocktail, Berry Xmas.

Ingredients: Angostura 1919, ginger, hot Omijacha, cinnamon, hot water