There’s nothing better during the holiday season than getting dressed up in a flattering little black dress and awesome black pumps, and sipping on festive, holiday vodka cocktails in a room full of happy, laughing people during the holiday season.
Well, wait a minute, that’s not exactly true. It’s actually pretty nice to sip hot comfort drinks spiked with holiday spirits while sitting at home in my pajamas watching Christmas movies, too. The point is, the holiday season just wouldn’t be as satisfying without great holiday vodka cocktails on any occasion. It’s the perfect way to celebrate this wonderful time of the year no matter where you are or who you are with.
Vodka is my favorite alcoholic beverage to drink during the holidays, because it’s a great for cold-weather cocktails. Plus, it goes great with cranberry juice, which is the ultimate Christmas flavor!
There’s a cranberry vodka mixed drink that’s perfect for each of my winter vacation moods. For example, when I’m in the mood to stay up late with a loved one watching Netflix or sitting outside on the balcony, wrapped in blankets, I’ll choose a steaming hot, cranberry vodka cider. If I’m at a party or an event and feeling bubbly and filled with Christmas spirit, I’ll order a cranberry cosmo. If I’m serving guests at a dinner party in my home, I’ll make vodka cranberry blushes.
This sort of goes without needing to be said, but the most important part about making holiday vodka cocktails is the vodka. Don’t skimp on the vodka you buy—it’s very worth it to get the good stuff. I like to use Belvedere or Grey Goose, and both brands are readily available in grocery stores across the country.
Whatever your mood, and whatever the occasion, there’s a solution to be found in one of these cranberry holiday vodka cocktails this holiday season. Here are my recipes. Try them out and leave a comment, and let me know what you think! Happy holidays!
Cranberry Vodka Cider
(Adapted from The Food Network’s website. See the original recipe here)
¾ to 1 cup of vodka, depending on how strong you want it
2 cups cranberry juice
½ cup fresh lime juice
3 tbsp. honey
6 dashes of angostura bitters
½ tsp. cinnamon
Bring all the ingredients except for the vodka in a medium saucepan over medium heat to a boil and then remove from heat. Stir in vodka, and serve in your fanciest Christmas mugs. Serves 4.
Cranberry Cosmos
1 shot glass full of vodka
5 oz. cranberry juice
1 tsp. lime juice
3 tsp. mineral water
Ice
Shake the ingredients together in a shaker and pour into a martini glass. Makes 1 serving.
Vodka Cranberry Blushes
(adapted from the BBC’s Good Food website. You can see the original recipe here.)
7 oz. Vodka
7 oz. Cointreau
20 oz. cranberry juice
13 oz. orange juice
10 oz.. lime juice
Crushed ice
Pour vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, orange juice, and lime juice into a large serving jug. Stir until well blended. Pour over crushed ice into martini glasses.
