A round up of cocktail recipes that are sure to add some cheer to any holiday party.

Mediocre spiked egg nog isn’t the only holiday drink on the block. There are plenty of creative combinations that bring together seasonal flavors and festive spices. Couldn’t your holiday party do with one of them? Here is a round up of 10 cocktail recipes to really get into the holiday mood, and ensure that your guests do the same.

1. Hot Buttered Chartreuese

You may have thought that hot butter was reserved for rum, but Cocktail genius Jacob Grier created this drink which uses the iconic French liquor.

2. Chai Spiced Cider

Rum pairs up with cider, cardamom and cloves for a spicy, warm drink that’s particularly perfect when your guests are arriving from a cold weather journey to get to your home.

3. Beer Nog

This is the beer lover’s egg nog, blending porter with a dash of Cognac. Hello, winter.

4. Vegan Irish Cream Liqueur

Just because you’re serving cocktails to the vegan crowd doesn’t mean they can’t be creamy. Try this holiday-themed liqueur made with coconut milk that’s as good over ice as it is in coffee.

5. Orange Cardamom Cocktail

This one is sort of like taking an orange stuffed with cloves and turning it into a drink. Except that the cloves are cardamom pods.

6. Perfect Manhattan

If classic cocktail recipes are what you’re after, go for the Perfect Manhattan, which uses sweet and dry vermouth, as well as a brandied cherry for garnish.

7. Red Nose Punch

If you’re serving a crowd, punch is a great way to go. This one is made by freezing a bundt mold full of cranberries and pouring over a mixture of bourbon and lager, making for a festive libation.

8. Smoked Old Fashioned

Turn a classic Old Fashioned into something a little different by making your own simple syrup with lapsang souchong, the smoky Chinese tea.

9. Sparkling and Spiced Winter Sangria with Ginger, Cranberries, Black Pepper and Citrus

Who ever said sangria was just for summer? This spicier version is perfect for winter, and made with sparkling cava which makes for a celebratory drink.

10. Cranberry Orange Gin Fizz with Thyme

A little citrus, a little gin, a little thyme and you have yourself a fresh and fizzy holiday cocktail.

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Image: John O’Nolan

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More than just mimosas.

Mother’s Day is the day to celebrate not only your mother, but any maternal figure in your life. And what better way to celebrate than with food and drink? If your Mother’s Day celebration involves a brunch – and it should – add a few of these creative cocktails to the menu and toast the women that make a difference.

1. Kir Royale

This one is simple and classic, just mix 1 part creme de cassis with 5 parts champagne. Score a bottle of organic champagne and make it an eco-friendly drink while you’re at it. Although the drink is classically made with creme de cassis, you can also try it with any type of berry liqueur or cordial. Or if you really want a homemade drink, muddle some berries and mix.

2. Mimosa

1 Wild Hibiscus Flower

1 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

1 oz Pink Grapefruit Juice

1/2 oz Wild Hibiscus Syrup

5 oz Dry Sparkling Wine

Place flower in champagne flute.  Shake next 3 ingredients on ice and carefully strain into champagne flute. Top with dry sparkling wine.  Garnish with long grapefruit zest.

3. Blood Peach Bellini

A twist on the regular bellini involves adding a splash of grenadine. A colorful and tasty drink.

4. Honey Ginger Lemonade Spritzer

This recipe works well on its own, or with a dash of bourbon or vodka. Get creative or keep it simple and serve as a non-alcoholic beverage.

5. Blackberry Herb Cocktail

Prosecco, blackberries and rosemary; what’s not to love? Revamp this recipe by making your own rosemary simple syrup.

6. Cardamom Rose Cocktail

Cardamom in a drink? You simply can’t go wrong. DesignSponge has a recipe for a cardamom cocktail that involves rose syrup and grapefruit juice and is sure to please mother dearest.

7. Lillet Basil Cocktail

Put some greenery in your mother’s drink with this recipe that you can make with fresh basil from the market or your garden.

8. French 75

A French 75 is a classic drink that can replace a mimosa at a brunch. It’s a little stiffer, but very delicious.

9. Elderflower and Lemon Sparkling Sipper

The combination of elderflower and lemon make for an elegant drink that’s full of bubbles.

Images: Joe Shlabotnick, toolmantim, Wild Hibiscus Flower Co., Anna Brones, Apothecary/DesignSponge,

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