We all know the festive season is the time to spread a little cheer – and what better way to celebrate than hosting a cocktail party for all your friends and family? Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering for a few Christmas Eve tipples, or want to go all-out with a big New Year’s Eve shindig, we’ve got all the inspiration you need to get you feeling a little merry.
Mulled Wine
There’s nothing as welcoming or festive as the rich, warm scent of mulled wine. Whilst you’ll find plenty of bottles of ready-to-heat mulled wine in the supermarkets, you can create a lovely festive activity by making your own at home.
Pick a red wine to start with and gently heat it in a saucepan. Add in some curls of orange peel and a selection of spices – play with a mixture of cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg and cloves to get the perfect balance. Depending on your wine of choice, you may want to add a little sugar to sweeten the taste. For an added kick, add a splash of brandy or sloe gin if you prefer a fruitier tipple.
Prosecco Cocktails
Who doesn’t love a glass of fizz? Whether it’s buck’s fizz for Christmas morning or a sparkling cocktail to see in the New Year, a bottle of prosecco is a guaranteed way to start your celebration with a bang!
Why not crack out the prosecco on Christmas Eve and have a few guests round to enjoy some fizzy cocktails? For a simple yet delicious drink, mix together 2 parts Martini to 1 part gin, top up your glass with chilled prosecco and finish with a few frozen raspberries. Turn up the Christmas tunes and enjoy this fruity yet fizzy delight.
Prefer your prosecco in the morning? Pop the cork and add a good glug of prosecco to a glass of fresh orange juice to create the perfect drink to accompany your festive breakfast.
Classic Cocktails
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a glass or two of eggnog. Whip up a batch of this famously festive tipple by whisking 6 egg yolks with 100g of caster sugar (use the freshest eggs you can find). Add in 500ml of milk and 400ml of double cream and around 350ml of rum. Use an electric mixer to whip up the 6 egg whites with 50g of caster sugar until it forms soft peaks. Fold this into the liquid mixture and finish with a grating of nutmeg. This works perfectly for any festive gathering. Serve in a bowl and ladle into your guests’ glasses as they arrive.
For something equally creamy and Christmassy, this coconut and vanilla cocktail is great for an egg-free alternative.
Mocktails
For anyone that’s driving or prefers not to indulge in a festive tipple, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of non-alcoholic options available. Stock up on soft drinks or create a delicious mocktail so they won’t feel like they’re missing out.
We love this mock mulled wine recipe for a warming treat that’s so fruity and delicious that you won’t miss the wine.
Create the perfect drink for New Year’s Eve by mixing together equal amounts of your favourite fruit juices – we love pomegranate and cranberry – and topping up your glass with sparkling elderflower for a little fizz. Who needs champagne?
Pop, clink, relax
When all the drinks are poured, your guests are going to need somewhere to perch and enjoy every sip of festive goodness. A beautifully soft leather sofa like the Barrington not only looks the part, but offers incredible comfort too.
If you’ve got room for a corner, the stylish Neve gives your friends and family the space to stretch out and enjoy a festive tipple together. Or, for the ultimate Christmas indulgence, get cosy on the Gracy recliner sofa with a big mug of warm mulled wine.
Find a sofa you’ll love relaxing on this Christmas at sofology.co.uk
So much Inspiration for the Christmas Holidays. We traditionally make non alcoholic mulled wine for the kids. But you offer great Cocktail recipes that we need to try out our own. Thanks for that wonderful Christmas gift.