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This festive season, we think you can go one better than bitter. Put the prosecco back in the fridge and make your Christmas celebration extra special with these holiday-inspired cocktails.
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The peppermint candy cane kick gives this velvety drink a festive – and extremely moreish – edge. Add vanilla ice cream to serve it as an adult alternative to traditional desserts.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of spiced rum
1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste
½ cup of ice
1 tablespoon of candy cane simple syrup (*recipe below)
Garnish: Whipped cream and crushed candy canes
Instructions: In a large glass add rum, vanilla bean paste and candy cane simple syrup, then stir the mixture until all ingredients are combined. Add ice to a serving glass, then pour the mixture into the glass.
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Grinch green is the other unmistakable shade of the holiday season, so colour your cocktails with the fine tea powder and give them a distinctive taste.
Ingredients:
¼ cup mint leaves
Half Tablespoon agave or honey
Half Tablespoon lime juice
1½ cups water
75ml gin
1 teaspoon matcha
Instructions: In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint with the agave and lime juice. Add the remaining ingredients and shake until well chilled and the matcha is dissolved. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, dividing between 2 ice-filled rocks glasses, then serve.
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Everyone’s favourite bitter orange apéritif is synonymous with summer months and if you want to move on from the ubiquitous Spritz, this margarita is a unique twist.
Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons 100% agave silver tequila
2 Tablespoons Cointreau or other orange liqueur
Half Tablespoon Aperol
Tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
Tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup
Ice cubes and thinly sliced lime for garnish
Instructions: Combine all liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake until chilled, or about twenty seconds. Add ice cubes and garnish with thinly sliced limes.
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This classic drink is made even more refreshing with the addition of cranberry. Campari Rosso also gives your tipple a fabulously festive hue.
Ingredients:
Half Tablespoon dry gin
Half Tablespoon Campari
Half Tablespoon sweet vermouth
4 dashes cranberry bitters (you can sub orange or regular bitters)
2x Tablespoons cranberry juice
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and mix well. Add a generous amount of cranberry-infused ice cubes to a tumbler and fill to the brim.
