We at Gin Magazine are sure we’re not alone in our hankering for festively themed and flavoured cocktails at this time of year. To that end, we’ve put together a selection to sample – either with family and friends, or as a treat to yourself – through the festive season. Some of these recipes make use of limited-edition or small-batch seasonal gins, while others feature wintry or autumnal ingredients.
Which gins and cocktails will you be enjoying this holiday season? Tag us in your pictures on Instagram and Facebook!
Fizz Navidad
With a sugar-rimmed glass and orange wheel garnish, this Bloom Gin cocktail has the “wow” factor you want in a festive party drink.
- 50ml Bloom Passionfruit and Vanilla Blossom Gin
- 25ml passionfruit liqueur
- 10ml passionfruit syrup
- 10ml fresh lime juice
- Prosecco
- White sugar
- Orange wheel
Rub lime around the edge of the glass and cover in white sugar. Shake the gin, liqueur, syrup and lime juice together. Strain into the glass and top with a generous amount of Prosecco. Garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel.
Under the Mistletoe
Made with Whitley Neill Raspberry Gin, this a great choice for a fruity aperitif to get the party started.
- 20ml Whitley Neill Raspberry Gin
- 10ml lemon juice
- 10ml amaretto
- 10ml red vermouth
- Prosecco
- Sprig of rosemary
Add the gin, lemon juice, amaretto and red vermouth to a cocktail shaker with ice and mix to combine. Pour into a flute glass, top up with prosecco and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
The Lawmaker
This take on the Snowball is enhanced by the complex wood notes of Pud Pud Cask Gin, from Puddingstone Distillery.
- 45ml Pud Pud Cask Gin
- 45ml Advocaat liqueur
- 22.5ml Regal Rogue bold red vermouth
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and fine strain into a pre-chilled glass.
Mulledberry Gin
A warm, fruity, spiced cocktail like this Mulledberry Gin is an ideal tipple for a cold winter’s night.
- 35ml Slingsby Blackberry Gin
- 50ml port
- 100ml apple juice
- 10ml sugar syrup
- Orange slice
- 2 cloves
- 1 small cinnamon stick
In a pan, gently heat the ingredients to a simmer. Serve warm in a latte glass or mug and garnish with an orange slice.
Sloe Gin Spritz
This spritz makes a delicious aperitif, and can easily be scaled up to please a cocktail party crowd.
- 40ml Sipsmith Sloe Gin
- 10ml Port
- 60ml lemonade
- 60ml prosecco
- Lemon twist and a blackberry (to garnish)
Add the first three ingredients into an ice-filled wine glass. Top with Prosecco and gently stir. Garnish with a lemon twist and a blackberry.
Chocolate and Orange Espresso Martini
The sweet and zesty notes of this chocolate and orange gin add a new dimension to the Espresso Martini.
- 25ml York Gin Chocolate and Orange
- 15ml Tia Maria
- 10ml Cointreau
- Shot of espresso
Add all ingredients to a Boston shaker with ice (to cool the coffee). Strain into a Martini glass and add a dusting of chocolate.
Hearadh 75
Based on a classic French 75, this cocktail from Isle of Harris Gin calls for a few drops of peated Scotch whisky for a smoky twist that’s ideally suited to a cold winter’s night.
- 35ml Isle of Harris gin
- 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 15ml honey water (honey dissolved in water, like a sugar syrup)
- 100ml sparkling wine
- 3-4 drops smoky Scotch whisky, to garnish
Combine the gin, lemon juice and honey water in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a coupe and top with the sparkling wine. Add a few drops of peated Scotch whisky (such as Ardbeg or Laphroaig) as a garnish.
Hot Gin Toddy
This hot toddy recipe uses a shrub, a vinegar-based fruit syrup – you can buy them online, or make your own at home. For a sweeter drink, replace the shrub with a regular raspberry syrup or liqueur.
- 35ml Sing Gin
- 15ml honey
- 25ml fresh lemon juice
- 10ml raspberry shrub
Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and warm through, but do not allow to boil (the temperature should be around 60ºC). Pour into your favourite festive mug, or a glass tea cup, and top with boiling water. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cinnamon stick.
Orangecello Martini
This ‘improper’ Martini uses Orangecello liqueur and a dash of clove to create a great autumnal drink. (You could substitute the Orangecello for another orange liqueur, such as Gran Marnier.)
- 50ml Brockmans Gin
- 25ml Orangecello
- Dash of clove bitters
Place all the ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a dehydrated orange slice studded with cloves.
Gin Mule
A take on the Moscow Mule replacing vodka with gin, this long cocktail is simple to prepare and a refreshing pleasure to drink. While it’s often associated with summer, the fiery ginger beer is a good match for a cold evening.
Ingredients
- 50ml Bombay Sapphire gin
- 15ml lime juice
- 100ml ginger beer, chilled
- 2 fresh mint sprigs
- 2 lime wedges
- Slice of fresh ginger (optional)
Combine the gin, lime juice and ginger beer in an ice-filled Moscow Mule mug (if you don’t have one, a cocktail jar or large tumbler will do). Stir gently and garnish with the lime wedges, mint sprigs, and fresh ginger slices, if using.
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