Happy Friday! The weekend is upon us (finally) !! This weekend is sure to be filled with holiday parties, gathering with family and laughing with loved ones.  If you’d like to add a little extra “cheer” to your holiday weekend, these cocktails are just right. 

Jolly Old Elf

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What’s In It: 

• 1/2 oz Amaretto liqueur
• 2 oz Cranberry juice
• Fill to top of glass with brut champagne or sparkling wine
• Frozen Cranberries (for garnishing)

Any drink that starts with champagne is a winner in my book!

Christmas Sangria

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What’s In It: 

Holiday Coquito

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What’s In It: 

• 1.5 ounces Cîroc Coconut
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 ounce coconut cream
• 1 ounce milk
• 1 egg white
• 1 dash cinnamon
• 1 dash nutmeg
• 1 dash all spice

Coconut and Pineapple are summer cocktail staples; adding nutmeg and cinnamon makes this drink a game changer for real!

 Peppermint Eggnog Punch

What’s In It: 

• 1 quart peppermint ice cream
• 1 quart dairy eggnog or canned eggnog
• 1 cup rum (optional)
• 1 – 2 10 ounce bottles (1-1/4 to 2-1/2 cups)ginger ale, chilled
• Additional peppermint ice cream (optional)
• Peppermint sticks (optional)

Place ice cream in a large chilled bowl; stir until softened. Gradually stir in eggnog. If desired, stir in rum.Transfer to a punch bowl; add desired amount of ginger ale to reach desired consistency. If desired, top each serving with additional peppermint ice cream and peppermint sticks. Makes 18 (4-ounce) servings.

If you are entertaining kids this weekend they will go crazy for this treat. I would make a batch with rum on the side for the adults to enjoy.

Cranberry Margarita

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What’s In It: 

• wedge of lime
• sugar
• ice cubes for shaking and serving
• 1/2 cup of cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail
• 1/2  cup of tequila
• 1/4 cups of orange liqueur (grand marnier, triple sec or citronage)
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• garnishes: thinly sliced limes or cranberries

Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, and dip the edge in sugar to coat. Fill glasses with ice. Set aside.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all the ingredients, and shake.

Strain into ice-filled glasses and serve.

There is never a wrong time to enjoy a margarita! Here’s a quick tip: freeze your cranberries a few hours before and use them instead of ice cubes to keep your drink chilled.

All of these holiday cocktails would be great to serve at your party this weekend; and if you are visiting friends and family, making a pitcher of your fav will be a great hostess gift! I hope you enjoy your holiday weekend and remember to drink responsibly.

Thanks for reading!