The Best Recipes for Holiday Cocktails
Add a little jingle to your mingle with one of our holiday cocktails! Whether you’re a fan of wine-based sips or prefer something a little stronger, there’s something for everyone in this merry medley!
Holiday cocktails are an essential part of any festive get together. Welcoming guests with a carefully crafted mixer is a great way to kick off any celebration. Cocktails served before the meal don’t need to pair perfectly with every appetizer or the upcoming meal – but it’s nice to mirror the tone. For example, if you’re passing around savory snacks before Thanksgiving dinner, a Dirty Vodka Martini or a Celery and Sage Sparkling Wine Cocktail would be a better choice than a Red Wine Hot Cocoa. However, if you are serving a selection of sweets at your neighborhood holiday party, our Red Wine Hot Cocoa is a perfect fit.
Big Batch Cocktails vs. Single Serving Holiday Cocktails
If you’re deciding what holiday cocktail to serve at your upcoming celebration, consider the number of guests you’re hosting.
At a more intimate gathering, you’ll probably have a little more time to mix up a sunset-hued Lambrusco Spritz on demand. If you’ll be welcoming a crowd, then choose a cocktail you can make ahead and serve in a big batch, like Cazuela Voladora or sangria.
Choose California Grown Fruits, Vegetables and Wines
Our favorite holiday cocktails are made with California Grown fruits, vegetables and wines! Wondering how to tell where your food is from? If you’re at the grocery store, look for the California Grown license plate on the product packaging or the store’s shelves, or look for “California” as the place of origin on signs or produce stickers.
If your holiday cocktail of choice calls for California wine, you’ll find the region displayed on the label. We suggest selecting sustainably produced wine. Since over 85% of California wines are sustainably produced, that should be fairly simple! The easiest way to find a certified sustainable wine is to check for a seal on the label. If the label says Lodi Rules, California Rules, SIP Certification, Napa Green or California Certified Sustainable, you can rest assured that the wine was sustainably produced.
Thanksgiving Cocktails to Serve at Your Family’s Feast
Red Apple Sangria
California apples are harvested in the fall, but can last up to six months when properly stored! Get your hands on a few and make a big batch of our favorite fall cocktail – Red Apple Sangria.
Celery and Sage Sparkling Wine Cocktail
Looking for the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail? Look no further. This refreshing Celery and Sage Sparkling Wine Cocktail from A Girl Defloured pairs beautifully with turkey, stuffing and so much more!
Lambrusco Spritz
How gorgeous is our California-style riff on the Lambrusco Spritz? We swapped the traditional Italian sparkling red wine (Lambrusco) for a California sparkling red from Mumm Napa – and the result is every bit as delicious as the original.
Adonis Cocktail
Old-fashioned drinks and desserts are all the rage. Take a trip back in time with our version of the classic Adonis cocktail. Made with vermouth + dry sherry, the Adonis boasts a vibrant botanical aroma that lingers well past the last sip.
Fall Harvest Sangria
Our friend Kate’s Fall Harvest Sangria is a delicious way to showcase California’s seasonal bounty! Kate uses a cornucopia of California Grown fruit – figs, grapes, apples and limes – paired with a mellow Merlot (and just a splash of apple brandy) in this seasonal sangria.
Dirty Vodka Martini
Meg from This Mess is Ours shares her recipe for a classic Dirty Vodka Martini. James Bond might not approve – it’s stirred, not shaken – but who could possible argue against the heavy California ripe olive garnish.
Add Festive Flair with Our Favorite Holiday Cocktails
Kiwi Caipirinha
Did you know that kiwi are grown in the Golden State? They’re the star of the show in this fruity and festive Kiwi Caipirinha from Hola Jalapeño.
Cazuela Voladora
Hola Jalapeño’s Cazuela Voladora is reminiscent of a Paloma – but Kate’s version of this big batch cocktail stars California white wine studded with citrus and pomegranates.
Pisco Sour
Tart California grapefruit mingles with sour Pisco (a clear Peruvian brandy made with grapes) and frothy egg-whites in this lovely libation from A Girl Defloured.
Fresh Pomegranate Martini
Fresh pomegranate juice (from G-Free Foodie‘s family farm!) gives this 3-ingredient holiday cocktail a fabulously festive hue.
Fruitcake Rum and Coke
We’re obsessed with this celebratory take on the classic rum and coke from This Mess is Ours. Meg uses a mix of California Grown dried fruits + fragrant spices to craft a Fruitcake-Infused Rum. Sure, it takes some time – but this drink is definitely worth the wait.
Bourbon Milk Punch
Our friend Alison‘s Bourbon Milk Punch is sure to be a hit this holiday season! The secret to success is simple – look for the Real California Milk seal. You’ll feel good knowing that dairy products from California are sustainably produced and deliciously creamy.
Cuddle Up By the Fire with These Cozy Warm Cocktails
Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail
Cozy up next to the fire with G-Free Foodie‘s Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail. A heady mix of warm spices and rum pairs beautifully with the caramel flavors found in California Prune juice.
Red Wine Hot Cocoa
A splash of California red wine (we prefer Merlot or Zinfandel) transforms this cold-weather classic into a tasty, toasty tipple.
Warm Winter Mulled Wine
Nothing warms you up like a glass of Warm Winter Mulled Wine. Our friend KC from G-Free Foodie simmers winter fruits and holiday spices with California Cabernet Sauvignon – and if you’ve never tried mulled wine before, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.
Ring in the New Year with Sparkling Wine Cocktails
Mandarin Basil Wine Sparkler
Did you know that California grows the majority of the Nation’s Mandarin oranges? Get your hands on a few of those juicy gems and whip up our friend Meg‘s Mandarin Basil Wine Sparkler.
California 75
Ring in the New Year with a California 75! Made with California sparkling wines and a dash of vermouth, this lovely lemony cocktail turns any occasion into a celebration.
Looking for some amazing appetizers to serve with your holiday cocktails? Check out a few of our favorite easy recipes!
Article by Hilary Rance for CA GROWN.