10 Cocktail Ideas to Wow Your Holiday Guests
Tis the season for celebration. For many people, that's the perfect excuse to dust off the home bar and create holiday cocktails worthy of some resounding holiday cheer.
Here are 10 cocktail ideas you and your guests will love -- and remember, you can find most of the ingredients as well as tasty snacks to create the perfect pairing at a Reid's gourmet marketplace near you.
1. Poinsettia Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
Finally, a drink that's as festive as your décor! This cocktail features a vibrant red hue and everybody's favorite winter-only fruit: cranberries. You'll only need three ingredients -- sparkling wine, an orange liqueur like Cointreau, and cranberry juice -- plus whole cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for garnish.
Because this drink takes so few ingredients, it's an easy one to give in bulk. Just grab one of the best gift baskets in Charlotte from our team hear at Reid's, add the three items that go into a Poinsettia, and now your special someone has everything they need for a DIY happy hour.
Get the Recipe: Poinsettia Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
2. Mulled Wine
Now here's a holiday classic! The drink featured in so many old-timey Christmas books is surprisingly easy to make, and you can even use your crock pot to get and keep the ingredients warm. The combination of quality red wine, zesty spices like cinnamon and clove, and bright and juicy orange peel creates a beverage that's somehow both invigorating and quietly comforting.
Get the Recipe: Mulled Wine
3. Coquito
The name "coquito" literally translates to "little coconut," so it makes sense that this cocktail is full of coconutty goodness. It's a chance to experience the tropics even when it's chilly outside and you're wrapped up in your favorite Christmas sweater, plus your guests will appreciate being introduced to an eggnog-like concoction with an island twist.
Get the Recipe: Coquito
4. Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzer
Will this drink give you a warm red nose like Rudolph's? Will you suddenly feel like you can fly? Only time will tell, but we can report that this recipe is perfect for batch prep before a holiday brunch. Just pour the easy-to-find ingredients (cherry juice, orange juice, lemon-lime soda, and vodka) into your prettiest glass pitcher and pre-garnish your guests' glasses with lemon slices and rosemary sprigs so everything is ready to go.
Need brunch treats to round out your get-together? Reid's catalog of gourmet gift baskets includes a Holiday Morning Gift Basket brimming with sweet and savory treats that take the guesswork out of mid-morning meals.
Get the Recipe: Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzer
5. Warm Bourbon Cider
Make this warm apple cider to warm guests from the inside out. Leave the bourbon as a last-minute addition and you have a hot take on a traditional drink that's safe for the whole family to enjoy just how they like it.
Get the Recipe: Warm Bourbon Cider
6. Peppermint Martini
Rich, creamy, and pepperminty, this cocktail looks like a candy-topped snowdrift and tastes divine. This totally qualifies as a dessert drink, so much so that you can serve it after dinner instead of baking yet another pie or cake. Score!
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Martini
7. Classic Manhattan
Okay, so a Manhattan isn't a specifically seasonal drink, but there's a sense of tradition to it that feels right for the holidays. Plus, the color is right on target and using an artisanal Luxardo cherry makes the cocktail feel sophisticated and elegant -- just what you want for a grown-up dinner party in December.
Consider serving with pre-dinner snacks before you move to the table and open wine. A well-balanced Manhattan will pair beautifully with a selection of meats and cheeses from Reid's gourmet deli.
Get the Recipe: Сlassic Manhattan
8. Grapefruit Cardamom Gin Fizz
Grapefruit? In December? You bet. For anyone craving a festive drink that's not full of cream or based on mulled, well, anything, there's this cocktail that's bright and bubbly with a hint of spice. The use of gin is a nice surprise too, and the recipe's creator says you can make the required cardamom gin and rosemary simple syrup in larger quantities to bottle up for holiday gifts. Talk about a win-win!
Get the Recipe: Grapefruit Cardamom Gin Fizz
9. Praline Coffee
Southern? Check. Sweet? Check. Full of caffeine? Check. This triple-threat cocktail works for a holiday breakfast or as a post-dinner drink to help you power through clean-up, a fireside chat, and all those presents you still need to wrap. We love the dollop of whipped cream and the use of brown sugar versus white.
Pair this drink with Reid's Chocolate Covered Pecans for a truly satisfying end to great day.
Get the Recipe: Praline Coffee
10. Star Anise and Cinnamon Beer
For the guest who doesn't like anything but craft brews, there's this jazzed-up beer that's special, tasty, and easy to make. Celebrity Chef Giada de Laurentiis is the mastermind behind this unusual concoction, and although she served it at a summertime picnic, the use of warm spices (which will simmer on your stove and make your house smell delicious in the process) means you can serve a pitcher of this on your holiday game night to great success.
Still tackling last-minute gift shopping? Head to Reid's to explore our full selection of corporate gift baskets as well as gourmet gift baskets perfect for more personal occasions like family gifting, hostess surprises, and more.
As home to the best gift baskets in North Carolina, Reid's is known for being the perfect one-stop gourmet market for anyone looking to stock their own pantry while still crossing same names off their gifting to-do list. Check out our prepared foods to make holiday hosting easier than ever or check out our catering menus and have your season shindig overseen by our in-house culinary experts so all you must do is make a cocktail or two and enjoy.