Easy Cocktails and Mocktails to Get You in The Holiday Spirit

‘Tis the season for friends, family, and festivities. It’s also the time of year everyone likes to roll out the personal touches — whether for decorating or a few unique food and drinks for a holiday party.

One special way to greet your holiday guests is with a pretty, festive cocktail or mocktail. We’ve round up a few ideas here that are easy to make, refreshing to sip, and sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

 

Sparkling Pomegranate Fizz – Is there anything that says Happy Holidays more than pomegranates? With their gorgeous ruby-red color, pomegranates are a perfect Christmas-time drink. For this sparkling beverage, just mix a generous cup of pomegranate juice with a bottle of prosecco or seltzer water. Pour into champagne glasses, and garnish with pomegranate seeds (arils) and fresh rosemary sprigs.

 

Cranberry Moscow Mule – Mule drinks are festive, refreshing, and so easy to make. They also adapt easily from cocktail to mocktail. Mix cranberry juice with ginger beer, and for a cocktail, add 2 ounces of vodka or rum. Or, for a mocktail, add a splash of seltzer. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh cranberries and a slice of lime. It’s traditional to serve these in copper mule mugs, but small glasses work just as well.

 

Ginger Bee Sting – With a sweet and spicy punch from fresh ginger, honey, lemon, and cayenne pepper, this drink is a delicious way to toast the holidays. Mix it with scotch for a cocktail or hot tea for a warming mocktail.

 

Spiced Blood Orange Shrub – A shrub (also known as a drinking vinegar) is a concentrated syrup made with fresh fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Shrubs are easy to make and a delicious way to enjoy the flavor of your favorite seasonal fruit well into the next season — because they keep for months in your refrigerator. This recipe lets you take advantage of those gorgeous blood oranges that have such a short season every winter.

To make a shrub syrup, you’ll need equal parts mashed fresh fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Combine the fruit and sugar in a glass jar and let it sit for a few days in the refrigerator. Then, strain off the solids, and combine the syrup with vinegar. Feel free to add any spices or herbs if you like. Serve shrub syrup over ice, topped with sparkling water and a shot of vodka, rum, or any alcohol if desired.

 

Eggnog Cocktail – It wouldn’t be Christmas without eggnog, right? While it’s yummy on its own, without any alcohol, this cocktail recipe takes it up a notch. Traditionally, eggnog is made with egg yolks, sugar, cream, vanilla, and nutmeg. But if you’re pressed for time (who isn’t this time of the year!), pick up premade eggnog at the grocery store. This recipe combines it with brandy, almond liqueur, ice cream, and spices. Serve it in martini glasses for a dessert cocktail.

 

Wondering what to eat with all these drink ideas? Rubio’s ‘Tis the Season Taco Bar has you covered. It lets you stay out of the kitchen, so you can spend time with your guests — and who doesn’t love tacos?

Each order feeds up to 10 people and comes packed with guacamole, lettuce, cheese, signature salsas, 2 sides and chips. Just choose one or two of these proteins, and we’ll assemble everything for you:

•  Grilled all-natural chicken
• Grilled USDA choice steak
• Pan-seared shrimp
• Wild-caught mahi-mahi
• Wild Alaskan Salmon

Happy holidays friends — from our family to yours! Let’s toast to a happy and healthy New Year.