No matter which way you’re doing Christmas this year – at home or virtually over Zoom – you can still enjoy a festive tipple with these Christmas inspired cocktail recipes from Stillgarden Distillery.
The fairy lights are up, the baubles have been hung, Michael Bublé is on the radio and the festive food prep has begun. Yep, 'tis officially the time where even the meanest of scrooges can't help but feel jolly.
While we revel in the joy of putting up our Christmas decorations, wrap the last of the presents and watch The Muppets Christmas Carol for the hundredth time, we're likely to want a festive drink (or two). But this year is unlike any other and while we could dwell on the doom and gloom of it all, we're here to look at the upsides to 2020.
For example, the fact that we are all now, in our own right, amateur mixologists. Whether it was trying our hand at espresso martinis or simply pouring whatever booze we had left in the house into a glass and calling it a 'quarantini', cocktail shakers became the must-have house accessory. This Christmas, don't' just pop a bottle of fizz and empty a box of cabernet sauvignon into a saucepan. Instead, put those mixology skills to good use.
So on that note, we reached out to experts at Stillgarden Distillery and asked them to share with us their favourite Christmas inspired cocktails.
And oh, did they deliver...
Southside Social
The southside social is a refreshing cocktail made with Stillgarden’s own Social Gin. Enjoy as a pre-dinner aperitif or as an accompaniment along with your main meal.
Ingredients:
- 60ml Stillgarden Social Gin
- 30ml lime juice
- 15ml sugar syrup
- 5-6 mint leaves
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a mint leaf.
Xmas Martinez
An indulgent cocktail that is richly spiced with cinnamon, clove, ginger, raisins, mixed peel, star anise, it will definitely become your go-to festive drink this year, it’s essentially Christmas in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 60ml Stillgarden Xmas Cake Gin
- 15ml Sweet Vermouth
- 7.5ml Maraschino Liqueur
- 1 dash Angostura Bitter
- 1 Star Anise
Instructions:
- Add Stillgarden Xmas Cake Gin, sweet vermouth and maraschino liqueur and bitters in a mixing glass with ice and stir
- Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with one star anise
Warm Greetings
Made with Stillgarden Xmas Cake Gin, this cocktail has flavours of cinnamon, clove, ginger, raisins, mixed peel, star anise and mixed spice. The sweet but sultry cocktail of all cocktails to enjoy this festive season.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Stillgarden Xmas Cake Gin
- 100ml Ginger Ale
- Orange wedge
- Cloves
Instructions:
- Heat the Stillgarden Xmas Cake Gin and the ginger ale together
- Add the cloves to the orange wedge
- Place the clove filled orange wedge in the glass and serve
Xmas Cake and Cranberry
Packed with fruity flavours and notes of spices, this cocktail is sure to put anyone in the Christmas spirit. Perfect for enjoying with your favourite festive foods by a warm fire.
Ingredients:
- 35ml Stillgarden Xmas Cake Gin
- 100ml Cranberry juice
- Orange wedge
Instructions:
- Add the Stillgarden Xmas Cake Gin and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker with ice
- Pour into a cocktail glass
- Garnish with an orange wedge
Stillgarden Negroni
The Negroni is a popular Italian cocktail which is considered an aperitif. Stillgarden Social Gin and O’MARO blend together to create the perfect balance.
Ingredients:
- 25ml Stillgarden Social Gin
- 25ml Stillgarden O’MARO
- 15ml Sweet Vermouth
- 1 slice of Blood Orange
Instructions:
- Pour the Stillgarden Social Gin, vermouth and Stillgarden O’MARO into a mixing glass or jug with ice
- Stir well until the outside of the glass feels cold
- Strain into a tumbler and add one large ice sphere or some fresh ice
- Garnish with a blood orange slice
O’Maricano
Stillgarden O’MARO is Ireland’s first amaro with sweet orange, orris, raspberries, tonka and rhubarb. It’s an Irish take on the classic Italian aperitif. Topped with soda water and garnished with an orange slice, the gorgeous orange hue makes this drink a delectable treat.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Stillgarden O’MARO
- 100ml Soda water
- 1 Orange slice
Instructions:
- Simply pour 50ml of Stillgarden O’MARO into a cocktail glass
- Top with soda water
- Garnish with an orange slice
Stillgarden Boozy Hot Chocolate
Arguably the drink that made the last lockdown more bearable, Stillgarden have been selling this takeaway delight by the mugful over the last few weeks. Here’s how to recreate it for yourself at home
Ingredients:
- 35ml Stillgarden Xmas Cake Gin
- 200ml Instant hot chocolate of choice
- Garnish of choice
Instructions:
- Simply pour 35ml of Stillgarden Xmas Cake Gin into your favourite mug
- Top with hot chocolate
- Garnish with Cream and/or Marshmallow and grated dark chocolate
READ MORE: Festive spiced coffee
