Holiday cocktail ideas

In the rush of holiday meal planning, it’s easy to overlook the drinks. But having the right cocktail can make the dinner or brunch special, and Australian Gourmet Traveller has the goods, with a list of 20 Christmas cocktail ideas. The recipes range from traditional to contemporary. 

On the traditional side you’ll find champagne crustas, eggnog, sangria, and a Bajan rum punch. The punch recipe is from chef Paul Carmichael, originally from Barbados. That’s where his father developed the recipe, which he shared with Paul in the form of a poem: 

One of sour, two of sweet
Three of strong and four of weak
A dash of bitters and a sprinkle of spice
Serve well chilled with plenty of ice

More adventuresome cocktails include a bright and refreshing cucumber and Tequila concoction, and the Lillet, burnt orange and vanilla mimosa pictured above.

The EYB Library contains hundreds of vibrant holiday cocktail ideas, like these Member favorites:

German mulled wine (Glühwein) from Chow.com
Pink sangria from Cuisine Magazine (NZ)
Fresh whiskey sours from Ina Garten
Sparkling pear Hanukkah sangria from The Kitchn
Spiced pomegranate gin from Jamie Magazine 
Batched rye-cranberry shrub cocktail from Serious Eats 
A winter sultan from Diana Henry at The Sunday Telegraph