Drinks for Christmas

I know it's been a while since I posted, but I've had some things goin' on. Anyway, if you're having a holiday party and want some drink ideas appropriate to the season, you're in the right place.

First up today is a drink simply called the Holiday Cocktail. Take a mixing glass with ice and pour in 1/2 oz. of Cointreau, 1/2 oz. of vodka and 1 oz. of cranberry juice. Shake and strain that into a champagne flute and add 3 oz. of champagne. That sounds like it might taste good. If you try it, let me know if you like it.

Next on our menu is the Mistletoe Martini. Chill your martini glass ahead of time with some ice and a little water. That will actually help it chill faster. In your mixing glass, pour in 1 oz. each of the following: coconut rum (Malibu or Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay), melon liqueur (e.g. Midori), pineapple juice and sweet & sour mix. Dump the ice water out of the martini glass and strain the drink into it. Be ready for a kiss for that one.

Third on our list is the Candy Cane Martini. Chill your martini glass the same way you did for the last one. In a mixing glass with ice, pour in 2 oz. of vanilla vodka, 1 oz. of white chocolate liqueur (Godiva should work wonders) and 1 oz. of peppermint schnapps. Shake it and strain it into your chilled martini glass. Not quite done yet. You top it with 1 tsp of grenadine for the color and garnish with a mini candy cane.

And, finally, we have the Santa Shot. This is a layered shot, so ask a bartender to make this one for you. In your shot glass, it's equal parts (and in this order) grenadine, green creme de menthe and peppermint schnapps. Christmas colors in a glass.

That's it for now and remember to have a safe and happy holiday season and drink responsibly.