7 Christmassy cocktail recipes to enjoy with friends this party season

Planning a fancy soiree this festive season? Why not make some of these Christmassy cocktail recipes for the occasion

Merry Christmas, dear reader. We hope you’re enjoying the festive celebrations as much as we are. Everything from the food we’re eating to the beverages we’re drinking is zapped with Christmassy pizzazz. Cinnamon, orange, cream, spice… the festive flavours just taste so good.

With that in mind, Ireland’s Blue Book (a romantic collection of Irish country house hotels, manors, castles and restaurants) has compiled seven must-try Christmassy cocktail recipes. Each of these can be made and enjoyed at home, or purchased in one of the Blue Book destinations.

The chosen Christmassy cocktails are…

1. Bourbon Stout Flip

From the Merrion Hotel

Ingredients
60ml Woodford Reserve Bourbon
20ml brown sugar syrup
50ml Guinness
1 whole egg
Garnish with a stick of cinnamon

Method
Add all ingredients to a shaker and using the hand blender, blitz the ingredients for 3-4 seconds.
Add ice to the shaker and shake hard.
Double strain into your chosen signature Irish coffee glass
To enjoy the drink hot, steam the entire drink, but be careful not to cook the egg.

2. Spiced Winter Gin & Tonic

From Hayfield Manor

Ingredients
40ml Glendalough Gin
20ml Irish Mist
10ml cinnamon
10ml Pumpkin Spice
15ml lemon juice
15ml port

3. White Christmas Cocktail

From L’Ecrivain Restaurant

Ingredients
35ml of Bombay Saphire,
35ml orange juice
20ml Gingerbread Syrup
35ml lemon juice
One egg white

Method
Shake in your cocktail shaker once as a dry shake (without ice), and once as a wet shake (with ice). Garnish with star anise.

4. Winter Wonderland

From The Wilder

Ingredients
50ml Jameson whiskey
Quarter of lemon squeezed (15ml juice)
Pinch of cinnamon
3 teaspoons of maple syrup
Garnish with an orange twist

5. Gin-gle Bells

From No.1 Pery Square

Ingredients
40ml gin
20ml port
20ml Cointreau
40ml cranberry juice
10ml sugar syrup
10ml lemon juice
1 egg white

Method
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a mint sprig and a single cranberry.

6. Festive Dream Cocktail

From Cahernane House

Ingredients
1 shot pouring cream
1 shot Baileys
Half shot of Tia Maria
Half shot of Captain Morgan rum
Half shot of Frangelico

Method
Mix all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Strain into a martini glass. Dust with chocolate.

7. The BallyMULLoo Christmas Warmer

From Ballymaloe House

Ingredients:
750ml Shiraz red wine
50ml Killahora Apple Port
25ml apple brandy
2 cinnamon sticks
10 cloves
1 star anise
Zest of 1 orange
100g sugar

Method:
Gently warm all ingredients together in a heavy-bottomed pot on low heat. Strain all bits before serving. Garnish with a fresh slice of orange and cloves.

Photos: Kieran Harnett

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