trending

The holidays are right around the corner, which means ’tis the season for cocktails! Perfect for cocktail parties or an aperitif before Christmas dinner, these concoctions will have you and your guests feeling merry and bright.

Frosty Pomander Punch
Pictured below left
6 oz Luksusowa vodka
1/2 cup apple cider
3/4 cup Earl Grey tea
3-4 fresh figs peeled and deseeded
5-7 cloves
Orange slices, to garnish

Place all ingredients in a punch bowl and mix well. Serve in cocktail glasses garnished with fresh orange slices. Serves 4 to 6
Recipe courtesy of Maciek Starosolski, Global Brand Ambassador for Luksusowa Vodka.

Cherry Blossom
Pictured above right
1/2 oz Luksusowa Cherry vodka
1/2 tsp vanilla syrup*
Champagne
Vanilla stick, to garnish

Shake Luksusowa Cherry vodka and vanilla syrup in a shaker with ice. Double strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top with cold champagne, garnish and serve.
* To make vanilla syrup, in a saucepan, bring 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until syrupy (about 5 minutes). Add 1 tsp vanilla extract. Pour into a jar and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe courtesy of Maciek Starosolski, Global Brand Ambassador for Luksusowa Vodka. 

Maple Glaze
Pictured below
1 1/2 oz Luksusowa vodka
1/2 oz Calvados
1 tsp maple syrup (grade A)
Orang peel, to garnish

Pour ingredients over ice and stir well.
Recipe courtesy of Luksusowa Vodka.

Chocolate and Cherry Crush
Pictured below
1 1/2 oz Luksusowa vodka
1/2 oz chocolate liqueur
1/2 tsp vanilla syrup*
1/2 oz cream
3-­‐5 cherries, pitted
Shaved dark chocolate and a cherry for garnish

Muddle cherries in a shaker. Add all ingredients with ice and shake well. Garnish and serve in a chilled cocktail glass.
Recipe courtesy of Maciek Starosolski, Global Brand Ambassador for Luksusowa Vodka.

Reserve Half Moon Martini
Pictured below
2 oz Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Reserve
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz apricot liquor
1/2 oz allspice infused Jamaican honey syrup or honey
1 oz apple cider
Flamed orange peel and fresh nutmeg, to garnish

Mix Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Reserve ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish. To garnish, squeeze the orange peel into a flame and the oils from the peel will flare and deliver a light coating of caramelized orange essence on top of the martini. Grate nutmeg on top.
Recipe created by Contemporary Cocktails, Inc.

Cider ‘n Black
Pictured at top
4 blackberries
2 tsp gomme syrup
1 1/2 oz vodka
2 tsp blackberry liqueur
2 tsp lime juice
6 tsp apple juice
Cider, to top off
Apple slice, to garnish

Muddle (or crush) 3 blackberries with the gomme syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Add vodka, liqueur, lime juice and apple juice; shake well.
Pour into a large cocktail glass filled with ice cubes and top with cider. Finish with apple slice and a blackberry.
Recipe courtesy of Gordon Ramsay’s Maze

Find more ideas and tips in our Holiday Survival Guide:
How to Host a Kick-Ass Christmas Party
In-law Etiquette
Turkey Dinner 101
Hilarious (and Helpful!) How to Roast a Turkey Video
Staying Home For The Holidays
Sweet and Salty Chocolate Bark Recipe
Our Gift To You: A Free Upgrade To 2life Premium
Tell Them What You Really, Really Want KitchenAid Contest