The holiday season is here and with the Christmas festive spirit in the year the focus is definitely on food, gifts and decorations but when the Christmas party pushes well into the night, especially all the corporate parties, then having Christmas cocktails is a necessity.

Cocktails are a great way to add to the Christmas celebrations and at the same time giving your guests something to enjoy and also sip to. They are definitely a refreshing change from the regular wine and beer, especially if they reflect the different flavors of the season. Here are some great Christmas cocktail recipes along with a few tips for serving it to make your New Year and Christmas as great as possible.

Sugar Cookie Martini

Ingredients:

• 1 sugar cookie, crushed
• 2 ounces Irish Cream
• 1 ounce vanilla vodka
• 1 ounce Butterscotch Schnapps

Directions:

To start with, dip the rim of a cold martini glass in water and then put it into the crushed sugar cookie. Now make a combination of Irish Cream with vodka, schnapps and ice in a martini shaker and gently shake. Finally, strain to the prepared martini.

White Christmas

Ingredients:

• Coconut flakes, to garnish glass
• 1 ounce white chocolate liqueur
• 1 ounce cream or whole milk
• 1 ounce Southern Comfort

Directions:

To start, dip the rim of an old fashioned glass in water and then into coconut. Once this is done, pour white chocolate liquor in glass, add cream on top and then finally add the finishing touch with Southern Comfort. Stir till it mixes properly.

Sparkling Cider Punch

Ingredients:

• 6 cups apple cider
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 1 cup brandy
• 1 (750mL) bottle sparkling wine

Directions:

For this you have to pour apple cider, cranberry juice and brandy in a large punch bowl. When you want to serve it, top it with some sparkling wine.

Now some tips to serve these Christmas cocktails in style

Prepare a Christmas punch

One of the classics of Christmas and other holiday festivities is the holiday punch. A tastefully done cider is a sure crowd pleaser just like champagne punch or winter spiced sangria. One of the best things about a holiday punch is that you can control the alcohol content, so your guests are not completely out by the time you are ready with your dinner. And of course the host doesn’t have to be stuck with shaking cocktails all night long.

Get innovate, after all it is the festive season

So what are your favorite holiday sweets and can you translate them into desserts that you can sip rather than eat. Candy canes act as a great base for peppermint martini. You can also try chocolate covered cherries that can change into delicious cherry cordial. Or perhaps it can also work great as a sugar cookie or a gingersnap. Definitely a great ingredient for a lip smacking cocktail!

Do it with Christmas colors

When putting together Christmas cocktails remember to add ingredients that splash some colors of the season. For example cranberry or pomegranate juice can give the Christmas red color. Similarly, sour Apple pucker can give the color green and the white chocolate liquor gives the final missing touch with the snow effect.

So, party in style with your friends this Christmas.