The holiday season is the perfect time to add a little sparkle to your gatherings, and what better way to elevate your Christmas 2024 party than with unique and delicious cocktails? Whether you're hosting an intimate dinner or a lively celebration, these cocktails will impress your guests and set the festive mood. From warm, spiced concoctions to cool, refreshing drinks, these recipes blend classic holiday flavours with innovative twists. So, grab your shaker and get ready to mix up some memorable moments with these must-try holiday cocktails.

　　Cinnamon Old Fashioned

　　Ingredients:

　　50ml Ballantine's 7 American Barrel Whisky

　　10ml Cinnamon syrup

　　4 dashes orange bitters

　　Ice cubes

　　Orange peel (for garnish)

　　Recipe:

　　Place a few ice cubes in an Old Fashioned glass.

　　Pour in 50ml Ballantine's 7 American Barrel Whisky and 10ml cinnamon syrup.

　　Add 4 dashes of orange bitters.

　　Stir gently for 30 seconds to combine the flavours.

　　Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

　　Sparkling Scarlet Spritz

　　Ingredients:

　　75ml Jacob's Creek Sparkling Wine

　　25ml Pomegranate juice

　　25ml Cranberry juice

　　Simple syrup (optional, to taste)

　　Pomegranate jewels (for garnish)

　　Cranberries (optional, for garnish)

　　Recipe:

　　Chill the sparkling wine and juices thoroughly before preparation.

　　In a chilled tulip or flute glass, pour 25ml of pomegranate juice and 25ml of cranberry juice.

　　Slowly top up with 75ml Jacob's Creek Sparkling Wine to preserve the bubbles.

　　Sweeten with simple syrup if desired, stirring gently.

　　Garnish with pomegranate jewels and optional cranberries.

　　Kashmiri Saffron Sour

　　Ingredients:

　　60ml Longitude 77 Indian Single Malt Whisky

　　30ml Kashmiri saffron syrup

　　20ml Lime juice

　　3 drops Egg white or Magic Velvet

　　1 Lemon green (optional)

　　Grapes (optional)

　　For Garnish:

　　Kashmiri chilli oil (use a dropper)

　　Kashmiri saffron strands

　　Recipe:

　　Add the whisky, saffron syrup, lime juice, and egg white (or Magic Velvet) to a cocktail shaker.

　　Dry shake the mixture (without ice) to emulsify.

　　Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously.

　　Fine strain the cocktail into a chilled Nick & Nora glass.

　　Garnish with a drop of Kashmiri chilli oil and a few strands of saffron.

　　Not So Dirty

　　Ingredients:

　　50ml Grey Goose Vodka

　　5ml Elderflower syrup

　　30ml Olive brine

　　Mossant Rosemary Tonic

　　1 Rosemary sprig (for garnish)

　　1 Brined olive (for garnish)

　　Recipe:

　　Place a block of fresh ice into a glass.

　　Pour in 50ml Grey Goose Vodka.

　　Add 5ml elderflower syrup and 30ml olive brine.

　　Top up the glass with Mossant Rosemary Tonic for an aromatic, botanical flavour.

　　Stir gently to combine the ingredients.

　　Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and a brined olive.

　　Apes and Pickles

　　Ingredients:

　　60ml Monkey Shoulder Whisky

　　30ml Jalapeno brine

　　20ml Passion fruit juice

　　20ml Lime juice

　　Ginger ale (to top up)

　　For Garnish:

　　Jalapeno slice

　　Chilli salt (for rimming the glass)

　　Recipe:

　　Rim the glass with chilli salt to add a spicy kick.

　　In a shaker, combine the whisky, jalapeno brine, passion fruit juice, and lime juice with ice.

　　Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.

　　Top up with ginger ale for a refreshing finish.

　　Garnish with a slice of jalapeno.

　　Strawberry Fling

　　Ingredients:

　　2 fresh strawberries

　　1 tsp Sugar

　　30ml Lime juice

　　120ml Unvined Riesling

　　Hibiscus flower (or half a strawberry for garnish)

　　Recipe:

　　Muddle the fresh strawberries and sugar in a shaker.

　　Add the Unvined Riesling and lime juice, then shake well.

　　Double strain the mixture into a martini glass.

　　Garnish with a hibiscus flower (or half a strawberry on the side of the glass).

　　Ochre Plum Breeze

　　Ingredients:

　　50ml Ochre Plum & Apricot Vodka

　　20ml Fresh lime juice

　　15ml Apricot syrup (or apricot puree)

　　100ml Soda water or sparkling water

　　2 dashes Orange bitters (optional)

　　Orange wedge or apricot slice (for garnish)

　　Ice cubes

　　Recipe:

　　Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.

　　Add the Ochre Plum & Apricot Vodka, fresh lime juice, and apricot syrup to the glass.

　　Stir gently to combine the ingredients.

　　Top up with soda water or sparkling water for a light fizz.

　　Optionally, add 2 dashes of orange bitters to enhance the complexity of the drink.

　　Garnish with an orange wedge or a fresh apricot slice.