Recipes: Special Holiday Season Cocktail Edition

The holiday season is in full swing and what better way to prepare for parties with family and get-togethers with friends than to expand your holiday cocktail repertoire. Today we’re dedicating this Tasty Tuesday to a delicious selection of holiday cocktails. 

Up your game by putting simple twists on classic flavors with Princess’ Mint Divine which features ginger beer or a Celebrity’s Snowflake Cosmopolitan with its fresh cranberries. Want to get your tequila on this holiday season? Check out Royal Caribbean’s tart Cranberry Margarita or Oceania’s Spiked Tequila Hot Chocolate with Mexcal Whipped Cream. Perhaps you’re looking to infuse a punch of color into your celebrations by mixing up Disney’s Countdown Cocktail, which features Midori. Whichever you choose, these cocktails are sure to make the holidays a little brighter. 

Mint Divine - Princess Cruise Lines

(Makes one serving) 

Ingredients

• 5 fresh mint leaves
• 2 fresh cucumber slices
• 2 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
• .75 oz. lime juice
• .75 oz. simple syrup
• Ginger beer
• Lime wedge and fresh mint leaves for garnish

Directions

1. Muddle cucumber and gently press and muddle mint leaves in cocktail shaker.
2. Add remaining ingredients except for garnish and shake with ice.
3. Pour into glass with fresh ice and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint.

Snowflake Cosmopolitan - Celebrity Cruise Lines

(Makes one serving) 

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Grey Goose La Poire
• .5 oz Cointreau
• 2 oz White Cranberry Juice
• 1 Lime Wedge
• 3 cranberries

Directions

1. Shake, shake, shake all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass over ice. 
2. Strain the mixture into a martini glass, squeeze wedge of lime and garnish with cranberries.

Cranberry Margarita - Royal Caribbean

(Makes one servings)

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 3/4-ounce fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons cranberry sauce or jam
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Brown sugar-rimmed martini glass
• Lime wheel as garnish

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.
2. Strain into the sugar-rimmed glass, then top with a lime and enjoy!

Spiced Tequila Hot Chocolate with Mexcal Whipped Cream - Oceania Cruise Line

(Makes two servings)

Ingredients

• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon mezcal
• 12 ounces whole milk
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, plus more for dusting
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 ounces añejo tequila

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the cream and powdered sugar and whisk with a hand mixer until soft peaks form. 
2. Quickly whisk in the mezcal, adjusting the sugar and mezcal to taste as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the milk, cocoa powder, brown sugar and spices and warm to desired temperature. 
4. Divide the tequila between 2 coffee mugs and add the hot chocolate. 
5. Top with mezcal whipped cream and a light dusting of cocoa powder.

Countdown Cocktail - Disney Cruise Lines

(Makes one servings)

Ingredients

• 2 OZ Midori
• 1 OZ Absolut Citron
• 1/2 OZ Elderflower St.Germaine
• 1/2 OZ fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 OZ agave nectar
• Sugar

Directions

1. Mix Midori, Absolut Citron, Elderflower St.Germaine, fresh lemon juice and agave nectar.
2. Moisten the rim of a martini glass and dip it in sugar.
3. Pour drink into martini glass.