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I secretly love parties, especially Holiday parties. Houses decked out in trees and lights, people gathered together reminiscing on the year that has past, huge spreads of delicious food and appetizers, and of course an excuse for fancy cocktails!
Looking for something fun and fruity for your Holiday party? Or how about something classic and traditional? With these two recipes, you are sure to please just about anyone. Or maybe just treat yourself after a long day! Who says fancy cocktails need to just be for parties?
These two recipes are simple and easy to make as well as feature ingredients easily picked up all in one place such as your local Safeway store. I also took them a step further and infused both liquors I used. It sounds complicated, but I promise it’s so easy!
First is the fun and fruity with a twist… It’s a Candy Cane Martini with Candy Cane infused vodka. This stuff is seriously yummy and would be delicious mixed with the ginger ale or even add a splash to your hot chocolate.
To infuse the vodka, simply dump some vodka (about 1 cup) into a mason jar or sealed container and add 5-6 crushed candy canes to it. THAT’S IT! I told you it was easy. The candy canes dissolve within a day. I let mine sit for about 3 days just to let the flavors mingle together a little more.
Candy Cane Martini
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- Candy Cane Vodka
- 1 cup vodka
- 5 candy canes, crushed
- Candy Cane Martini
- 2.25 ounces candy cane vodka (1 1/2 shots)
- 3 ounces cranberry juice (2 shots)
- 1/2 tablespoon orange juice concentrate
- 1.5 ounces Canada Dry ginger ale (1 shot)
Instructions
- Add 1 cup vodka to a mason jar. Crush up 5 candy canes and pour into mason jar. Screw on lid and let sit for at least 30 minutes up to 3 days. Candy canes should be fully dissolved. If any remaining particles, strain before use.
- If you want to feel fancy, you can rim your glass with sprinkles or colored sugar.
- In a shaker or mason jar filled with ice, pour in the candy cane vodka, cranberry juice, and orange juice concentrate. Shake well until combined. Pour into martini glass. Add the 1.5 ounces of ginger ale to the top.
- Garnish with candy cane stirrer. Serve & enjoy!
This next drink gives the classic Old Fashioned a twist by adding gingerbread whisky and ginger ale. The gingerbread whisky would be delicious over ice with some ginger ale.
The Gingerbread whisky is delicious. I used one of our favorite whiskys, Pendleton. Feel free to use whatever whisky suits your fancy! It does take a little more work than the candy cane infused vodka, but it is super easy! If you are a lover of ginger, you’re sure to love this infused liquor.
PrintGingerbread Old Fashioned
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- Gingerbread Whisky
- 1.5 cups whisky (I used Pendleton)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2–3 inch piece ginger root
- splash vanilla extract
- Gingerbread Old Fashioned
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3 dashes bitters (about ½ teaspoon)
- 3 ounces Gingerbread whisky (2 shots)
- 1.5 ounces Canada Dry ginger ale (1 shot)
Instructions
- Heat whisky in saucepan and add 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely melted. Place in a mason jar to cool. Once cooled, add peeled ginger root and a splash of vanilla extract. Cover and let sit from about 3-4 days.
- If you’re feeling fancy, you can rim your glass with brown sugar.
- In a low ball glass, add 1 teaspoon brown sugar and 3 splashes of bitters. Muddle the sugar, rotating the glass until the sugar and bitters has layered the bottom of the glass. Add one large ice cube or 2-3 smaller ice cubes. Pour in the Gingerbread whisky and ginger ale.
- Serve & Enjoy!
Whether you host a Holiday party or not, I hope you enjoy these fun and festive Holiday Cocktails. Cheers from North Dakota! What are some of your favorite Holiday drinks?
