‘Tis the season to get crafty! We love Christmas cocktails! We have a little extra love for these recipes because they call for cider, too.
If you’re hosting a party this year, here’s a little liquid inspo to help you impress your family and friends.
CIDER MIMOSAS
Prosecco, Cranberry Cider, Cranberries
Mimosas are a must come Christmas morning! If you love your bubbles like us, you’ll appreciate this super simple recipe. You only need 3 ingredients, cranberries, your choice of champagne, and cider.
This time of year has us crazy about cranberry, so we highly recommend Nine Pin’s Cranberry. We prefer to keep our alcohol purchases local, and this bottle is bright, tart, and ruby red! Whatever you choose, think dry or semi-dry to complement the fresh cranberries. We also love the fact that this drink is two parts alcohol. How appropriately festive!
CIDER SANGRIA
Hard Cider, Apple Brandy, Apples, Oranges, Apple Juice, Lemon Juice
Summer and fall may be over, but sangria is always in season. A fruity blend is always fun and festive! Skip the wine this year and pick up a bottle of hard cider instead. Dry cider is best because the rest of the ingredients will add enough sweetness. Think not too sweet, subtly sparkly, and super seasonal. If you want to try a new big-batch beverage, cider sangria is likely to be a crowd pleaser!
Plus, Food & Wine’s recipe is super easy to follow. Make this sangria feel more Christmasy by choosing a cider that’s darker in color, like Embark’s Imperial Blizzard. The plums and sweet cherries give this cider a beautiful deep ruby purplish color. Garnish with a few rosemary sprigs and a handful of cranberries and your Christmas sangria is complete!
CIDER MOSCOW MULES
Vodka, Hard Cider, Ginger Beer, Limes, Apples
Raise your hand if you feel fancy with a copper mug in hand! If you’re a Moscow mule lover, add this cocktail to your holiday to-drink list. This drink calls for quality alcohol aka rely on your local distillers and cider makers for the boozy ingredients in this recipe.
We recommend a ginger flavored vodka or a cider with hints of ginger like BlackBird’s Christmas Cider. This cocktail is extra Instaworthy, especially when you add the fresh cranberries for garnish and a cinnamon stick or two for stirring. Try it at-home by following this recipe from The Forked Spoon.
CIDER PUNCH
Hard Cider, Rye, Apple Cider, Maple Bitters
When the weather outside is frightful, whiskey sounds just right. Whiskey and hard cider just go together, and this punch flawlessly combines the two flavor profiles. Rye for warmth, cider for sweetness and spice, and bitters for depth. This recipe covers all the most important bases.
Punch can be simple. Four ingredients simple. This recipe by Food52 is super easy and super seasonal. If you waited until the last minute to think about cocktails, you can easily mix this one up in less than 10 minutes. We recommend a bottle of Steampunk Cider. You can even taste before you buy if you stop by Buffalo’s newest cider bar inside the Barrel Factory.
SPIKED MULLED CIDER
Bourbon/Brandy/Rum, Fresh Cider, Oranges, Mulling Spices
Everyone loves a mulled glass of goodness around this time of year. You’ll need to plug in your slow cooker for this one. This recipe calls for fresh apple cider for the best flavor. Do not use hard cider. But don’t worry, this recipe is (of course) still boozy! Wait until the mulling is done to add your favorite bourbon, brandy, or dark rum. This gives the mulling spices enough time to work their magic!
Keep in mind spiked apple cider is less boozy than other beverages, so you can easily enjoy a few glasses. If you’re entertaining a group of guests, give this recipe by Kitchn a try.
*DO* TRY THIS AT HOME
Remember, you don’t have to be an experienced mixologist to craft creatively. The right seasonal fruits and spices can winterize just about any drink, and don’t forget to look to your local makers for ciders and spirits!