Christmas Cocktails: Festive Drinks to Get You in the Holiday 'Spirit'

Have you heard the big “buzz?” ‘Tis the season – the holiday season, that is. With Christmas and New Year’s Eve right around the corner, it’s time to start planning that special menu. Whether you plan on ringing in the holidays with family, a few of your favorite BFFs of that significant other, you can’t celebrate the holidays without a few tried-and-true and perhaps one or two brand new cocktails, right?

Whether you will celebrate by attending or hosting a great big bash or small, intimate get-together, there is no need to stress out about finding that perfect beverage. The following Christmas cocktail recipes are sure to get you into the holiday “spirit.”

• Candy Cane Cocktail – This simple-to-make drink, from Sandra Lee, calls for vanilla rum, white chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps and candy canes for garnish.

• Evergreen Swizzle – This recipe, from Food and Wine, calls for gin, Yellow Chartreuse, pine liqueur and fresh lime juice.

• Gingerbread Martini – This martini cocktail calls for vodka, Bailey’s Irish cream liqueur, kahlua, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Pepperidge Farm Gingerbread Cookies and gingerbread syrup.

• Eggnog Martini – You’ll need eggnog, vanilla vodka, amaretto and ground cinnamon for this drink.

• Bailey’s & Kisses Candy Cane Martini - You’ll need Bailey’s Irish Cream, vodka, white chocolate Hershey’s Kisses and candy canes for this fun drink from Sweet Cs Designs.

• Santa’s Sleigh Cocktail – This cute cocktail, from Sandra Lee, calls for store-bought eggnog, brandy, amaretto, vanilla ice cream, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks and white sugar crystals.

• Tipsy Santa Cocktail – Talk about cute, Rachael Ray shares this super-fun cocktail guaranteed to be a great big hit at any holiday party. You’ll need bourbon, grenadine syrup, ginger ale and lemon juice. Don’t forget the Santa Hat glass.

• Max's Hot Apple Pie Cocktail - Imagine sipping on a pie in a glass. This cocktail calls for vanilla vodka, butterscotch schnapps, apple cider, whipped cream, cinnamon and a cinnamon stick for garnish.

Cheers!