Get Into The Christmas Spirit With One Of These Yuletide Inspired Cocktails

If you’re feeling a little naughty this Christmas, instead of leaving Santa a glass of milk and cookies, mix up one of these Yuletide inspired drinks.

Very Merry Mulled Wine. (Courtesy Photo)

Very Merry Mulled Wine:

1 bottle of Skinnygirl Pinot Noir

3 Cinnamon Sticks, broken in half

1/4 part Whole Cloves

3Sstar Anise

1 whole Nutmeg, cracked with the side of a chef’s knife into a few pieces

1 Orange Peel

Agave Nectar to taste

Lemon Slice for garnish

Star Anise for garnish

Cinnamon Sticks for garnish

Directions: Pour wine into a large saucepan and cook over low heat. Make a sachet with the spices by tying them together in cheesecloth and put the sachet into the saucepan. Let simmer for 30 minutes. Add agave nectar to taste, then pour the wine through a strainer and serve in a heatproof glass. Garnish with a lemon slice, star anise and cinnamon sticks.

She’s My Apple Pie: (available at the Hard Rock Cafe New York through Sunday, January 3rd)

Noël Rouge. (Courtesy Photo)

2 oz. Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

2 oz. Apple Juice

1 oz. Pineapple Juice

1/2 oz. Monin Salted Caramel

1 oz. Hard Cider

Whipped Cream, 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon and Cinnamon Cookie or Graham Cracker for garnish

Directions: Shake ingredients together. Top with hard cider. Garnish with whipped cream, dust with cinnamon and add favorite cinnamon cookie or graham cracker.

Noël Rouge:

600ml Grey Goose Vodka

240ml St-Germain Liqueur

120ml Lemon Juice

40 Pomegranate Seeds

Directions: Muddle the pomegranate seeds and lemon juice in a large bowl, add crushed ice, followed by the Grey Goose and St-Germain. Stir and serve.

Laphroaig Ginger[Bread] Man. (Courtesy Photo)

Laphroaig Ginger[Bread] Man: (Created by Tyson Buhler)

1 1/2 parts Laphroaig 10 Year Old

3/4 parts Cantaloupe Juice

3/4 parts Lemon Juice

1/2 part Ginger Syrup

Directions: Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into coup glass.

Basil Hayden’s Spiced Christmas Punch. (Courtesy Photo)

Basil Hayden’s Spiced Christmas Punch: (Created by Joaquín Simó)

1 bottle Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

6 parts Sweet Vermouth

6 parts Black Tea

12 parts Fresh Apple Juice or Apple Cider

8 parts Fresh Lemon Juice

4 parts Demerara Simple Syrup

1/2 part Angostura Bitters

24 parts Club Soda

6 Ice Blocks* (see recipe below)

1 Cinnamon Stick for garnish

12 Apple Slices for garnish

1 piece of Nutmeg for garnish

Directions: Add Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, sweet vermouth, black tea, apple juice, lemon juice, Demerara syrup and Angostura Bitters in punch bowl and stir. Top with club soda. Carefully place the 6 pre-made ice blocks into the punch bowl and garnish with apple slices and freshly-grated cinnamon and nutmeg. (Serves 16)

Ice Blocks*

24 parts Water

12 Apple Slices

6 Cinnamon Sticks

Directions: Prepare ice blocks by filling 6, 4-ounce square plastic containers with water, two apple slices and one cinnamon stick each, and place in the freezer.