For many holiday parties, the food is often a main event. The spread of appetizers and bite-sized snacks incorporate a lot of red and green in their ingredients.
Yet the festive colors and flavors don’t need to end at the edge of the buffet table. It can also spark ideas at the drink table as well. With just a few extra ingredients added to your holiday party shopping list, you can wow your guests with a full festive spread. Whether it’s adults-only or a family event, you can make drinks that are delicious and fun for all. These flavors and combinations can be perfect mocktails that are sure to please.
11 Beverages to Celebrate This Holiday Season
To help you move beyond canned sodas and bottled water, here we share some of our favorite holiday beverages that are as festive as they are delicious. Make them boozy if you wish, or leave out the alcohol and substitute with juice or sparkling water to make them a delightful treat for all.
Cocktail Recipes
While you can leave out the booze, these recipes may go well with an adults-only beverage.
Bloody Mary
For a boozy holiday brunch beverage, a classic Bloody Mary can be quite the hit. Not only do these drinks have great flavor, but they also bring in a rich red color that goes along well with a holiday theme. This recipe amps up the spice with a smooth sriracha. With these easy ingredients, you can transform a simple Bloody Mary Mix into a spicy surprise.
Chocolate Raspberry Martini
This dessert-like martini brings in a classic combination of raspberry and chocolate to create a memorable sipping experience. Along with fresh raspberries, the fruit flavor also comes through by adding a splash of Raspberry Balsamic.
Cranberry Apple Fus-tini
When it comes to a bright fruit in the winter, cranberries are often what first come to mind. These bold berries pack a bit of tartness but amplify the flavor of whatever you’re making. This fruity beverage brings in a flavorful punch to a cranberry-apple combination. Added flavor comes through a splash of Ginger and Honey balsamic.
Cran-Apple Ginger Gimlet
This gin beverage brings out the best in the flavors of cranberries, apples and ginger. With fresh cranberries, Michigan Apple balsamic vinegar and ginger beer, this adult beverage can become a holiday treat.
Cranberry Ginger Moscow Mule
Bring a new take to a traditional Moscow Mule with the refreshing and festive flavors of cranberry and ginger. This beverage recipe brings in a flavorful punch with cranberry juice.
Cranberry Margarita
This tart take on a classic margarita celebrates the bright flavor of cranberries. The cranberry-orange flavor combination is further enhanced with a splash of Cranberry balsamic.
Sparking Cranberry Lime Punch
This easy and fruity punch is great for holiday parties with kids. You’ll get a full cranberry kick with berries, juice and Cranberry balsamic, balanced with sparking water, fresh lime and Persian Lime olive oil. With the red from the cranberries and the green from the lime, you’ve got yourself a festive holiday drink for the whole family.
Wassail Punch
Try a new take on this classic holiday beverage with amped up flavor. Elevate the fruitiness with Red Apple balsamic vinegar and the unique sweetness with Ginger and Honey balsamic vinegar. This sweet and fruit combination may just make you want to make this classic holiday drink a family tradition.
Winter Mulled Wine
This mulled wine recipe takes a step up with the addition of Michigan Apple balsamic for a warm sip perfect for fall or wintertime!
Mocktails
Try out these favorite beverages without the alcohol to make a wonderful option for all ages.
Cinnamon Pear Eggnog
Perfect for all ages, this eggnog recipe boosts up the cinnamon goodness with a few extra ingredients. By first creating a custard and letting it chill overnight, you’ll amp up the creaminess of the beverage when adding the additional cinnamon pear balsamic syrup.
Mocktail: Cranberry Apple Fus-tini
Leave out the vodka in this fruity and festive beverage to make a drink for all.
Cranberry Margarita Mocktail
Enjoy the tart flavors of a margarita without the tequila. The orange and cranberry flavors make this an easy beverage to make and enjoy.
Holiday Peppermint Float
Make dessert into a drink with this festive beverage. This bubbly and creamy dessert is great for all ages and brings a surprising zestiness with a Ginger and Honey balsamic and added sweetness with honey. Peppermint ice cream, ginger ale and peppermint candies complete this family favorite.
Hot Chocolate
Turn this classic warm beverage into a culinary dessert. This recipe adds a Cara Cara Vanilla whipped cream and an Espresso Bean balsamic reduction to elevate the creaminess and sweetness.
Make your Beverages Festive!
Enjoy sweet flavors of balsamic vinegar in your beverages. Whether you opt for cocktails or mocktails, you can elevate the drink options at your next get together that are sure to please. Find even more inspiration of festive sips on Fustini's recipe website!