Holiday Cocktails Covid Edition
It’s that magical time of year again where I partner up with my girl, Corey of MissFoodieProblems and we share with you are favorite cocktail recipes for all your holiday party needs. Except this year is different. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic and our nation as seen more deaths than 9/11. Holiday parties are not holiday parties anymore. We did zoom and Facetime with our loved ones on Thanksgiving. And with so many unanswered questions and rising cases as we head into Christmas, we knew we needed to switch things up for this year.
But we are in the business of bringing JOY. No matter what. So, here’s what we did. We made a pretty table for 2. We sifted through ALLLL our recipes from the past years and pulled our 3 favs. Instead of writing up brand new recipes, we’re showcasing some fun and creative ways you can sip your cocktails in a safe and healthy way. We even came up with some fun ways you can pre-package your drinks and make special deliveries to your friends so you can all sip sip hooray from the safety of their own homes! Are you ready?
The ornament gift cocktail! This concept is a fun thing you can gift to your friends and share the recipe so you all can sip on your fun drink during a family zoom. We like to include the box so they can set it down every once in awhile ;-) It’s so festive and fun and brings an extra element of “joy” to your next zoom party!
Here is what you need:
large glass ornament ball -remove topper
small funnel to get drink inside
small square gift box to hold
fun sparkly straw!
For this drink we did the - Keep The Change Ya Filthy Animal
4oz spiced rum
4oz apple cider
2 pinches of Chinese 5 spice
bottle of pear cider
lemon
cinnamon sticks
Mix everything together and be sure to whisk or really stir in the spice. Slice a lemon peel to rim the glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Makes 2
Next up, we have a super cute Apothecary Cocktail Bottle concept! Such a cool way to premake cocktail batches for your family and have them setup so guests can just grab and pour into their glass over ice. No one is sharing utensils or getting all the supplies dirty if you are having a party. Minimal contact over here! OR, if you aren’t hosting a party, but you’d love to leave some drinks on your friends door in preparation for a zoom party - these would be such a delight to your friends and family!
Here’s what you need:
Next Recipe is one of MY personal all time favs: Bad Santa
Here’s the recipe:
1.5oz cherry brandy
1.5oz gin
3oz prosecco
sprig of rosemary for garnish
Mix all together over one large ice cube
Want to really go big for your friends? Make them a cocktail sampler with every recipe and deliver to their door so they can have their own little party at home! Remember, all they have to do is pour over ice!
This has got to be one of my favorite ways to serve covid friendly cocktails this year! In little pouches that remind me of Capri Suns! Remember those as a kid?? Here is the adult version ;-) We found a great deal on a 50pack here and just made our own little holiday inspired decals on my Cricuit that were a bit punny! If you don’t have a Cricuit - Etsy has some amazing premade labels that are perfect for these pouches
This would be a perfect fit from another one of our favs, Thirsty For More! Here’s the recipe:
1 bottle of white wine, moscato for sweeter/pino or sauvignon blanc for less sweet
1 bottle prosecco
1 cup white rum
1.5 cup apple cider (we like spiced cider, but either will work)
2 bottles of ginger beer
2 apples - chopped
1 pear - chopped
Pour everything into a pitcher except the prosecco and chill overnight. Add champagne just before serving. Or - if you’re doing a delivery to friends. Deliver in bottles with a bottle of prosecco on the side so they can pour themselves.
Okay, okay we couldn’t NOT give you a new recipe this year! This is one Corey actually created and taught me how during our shoot.. and let me tell you… it is a KEEPER.
Blackstrap (Vodka) Old Fashioned
1.5 – 2 oz vodka (depending how boozy you’d like it)
.25 oz (with 1.5 oz vodka)
.5 oz (with 2 oz vodka) honey syrup
½ dropper full of Bittercube Blackstrap Bitters
2 – 4 drops almond extract
1 luxardo cherry
Orange peel
Dried orange slice, for garnish (optional)
The honey syrup can be made with honey and hot water. I like to make mine in an almost empty jar of honey. Pour hot water into the jar that already has honey, put top on tightly and shake to mix. I don’t measure anything, but I’d say add about equal parts honey and water (like making simple syrup). Add more or less water depending how thick you want your syrup.
Put 1 large square ice cube or 3 regular cubes into a classic Old Fashioned glass. Add each ingredient directly into the glass, poured over the ice. Use a potato peeler or sharp knife to cut off a piece of orange peel. Twist the peel inside the class, drag it around the rim of the glass and place into the cocktail. Use a spoon to put a cherry into your cocktail and stir for 20 – 30 seconds. Garnish with dried orange slice.
I had so much fun learning how to make this drink, and honestly it is so good. It’s like an old fashioned vibe, but with vodka! The bitters, orange, and honey elements are so festive and totally feel like winter!
Okay, last but not least… we know that this could be totally right up someone’s alley… OR this is just way too much DIY for you. No shame in that game! If you love the idea of pre-packaging up cocktails to keep your holiday party safe, or the concept of delivering drinks to your friends as a fun holiday gift… but DIY is not your thing - you could also make any of the above recipes and simply throw in a mason jar! Super affordable and easy to do. Maybe you go a little extra and tie a ribbon around it. That’s it - you’re done! And all set to spread that holiday cheer to your loved ones!
If you have any questions or want to learn more about the ways we packages these cocktails up - feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email on the contact page!
Photos by Christina Chaplin