10 Killer Cocktails for Holiday Entertaining

The holidays are officially upon us, friends!!! Tomorrow we feast, and then we have five fabulous weeks of general merrymaking to look forward to. Given my affinity for presents the season, I am currently listening to Mariah Carey Christmas Spotify and Buddy the Elf-ing. Hard.

You know I love me some holiday food, but let’s be real, I’m equally (if not more) excited about ze drinks. (Shocker.) I find this time of year lends itself to slightly more festive sipping, and I have to say, a signature cocktail or pretty punch bowl really ups the celebratory vibe at any soirée. And even if you choose not to entertain, I firmly believe in taking a little extra time to pour yourself something fancy over the coming weeks. In fact, one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is the 3pm cocktail hour I host for me, myself, and I in the bath. (I’m thinking something rosemary-spiked this year.) ‘Tis the season to #treatyoself.

Should you also enjoy seasonal boozing, I’ve taken the liberty of rounding up some of my very best holiday-friendly recipes for your personal and partying pleasure below. I hope they make you and yours feel all kinds of merry and bright…

Domesticate ME!’s Favorite Holiday Cocktails:

The “Serendipity” Cocktail. I may be biased because the recipe was inspired by a cocktail my roommate and I drank at the Hemingway in Paris after we got engaged, but this sparkling stunner just feels celebratory. It’s the perfect aperitif to pass before a seated dinner, but it can also be made punch-style if you like. Floating apple slices and mint are effortlessly fetching in a punch bowl.

Bourbon Spiced Cider Punch. If you dig bourbon, I highly recommend working this punch into your holiday rotation. It’s made with a spicy seasonal combo of apple cider, ginger beer, lemon and bourbon, but I sometimes go rogue and use hard cider in place of the ginger beer. If you’d like to follow my lead, just make sure to pace yo’self—it tastes like there’s no booze, but it’s actually ALL BOOZE. Forewarned is forearmed…

Autumn Sangria. Sangria is the world’s most popular batch cocktail for good reason. It’s pretty, it’s crowd-pleasing, and it’s relatively cheap, which means you can spend more on your party food (slow-roasted beef tenderloin, anyone?) and decor this holiday season. And presents! This one isn’t too sweet and has fabulous apple-y undertones thanks to a generous splash of Calvados.

Sparkling Fig and Apple Sangria. If you’re more of a white sangria type (me too), this one’s for you. It’s light and sparkly, and it pairs well with everything from a big old cheese board to turkey or ham. Snaps for versatility.

Mulled Wine. Simmered with citrus and spices, mulled wine is super cozy and practically screams Christmas. This stuff really warms you up from the inside out, so I highly recommend it for those celebrating in frigid temps. Plus, it smells magical—the perfect party scent! (Also very nice to drink while watching a.) Love Actually, or b. Elf. Just saying.)

Bitter Lemon Spritz. This simple vodka cocktail is light, fresh and looks extremely festive served with a rosemary “swizzle stick.” I love it as a signature cocktail for any and all gatherings, and it’s equally delightful with gin if that’s more your speed.

Blood Orange Champagne Punch. It’s pink! It’s bubbly! It has blood oranges! (People lose their shit over anything blood orange. Fact.)

Grapefruit-Rosemary Mule. I made a fancy drink dispenser full of this for Logena Christmas a few years ago, and it was gone before I had even brought out the Buffalo fingies. Word to the wise, squeeze your grapefruit juice the day before to avoid greeting your guests sweaty and covered in citrus. Do as I say, not as I do…

Pomegranate-Vodka Gimlet. This minimalist cocktail is one of my all-time favorites for three important reasons: 1. It’s strong. 2. It’s full of antioxidants (which you can totally convince yourself fight hangovers and make your skin glow). 3. It’s strong.

Spiced Pumpkin Punch. This one sounds a little funky, and I’m sure some of you will be wary of adding pumpkin puree to your cocktail, but I beg you to give this one a try. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and there’s a lot to be said for serving something slightly off the beaten boozy path. Every family/group of friends needs a doctor creative mixologist, right?

Happy Holidays, friends!! Pour one out for your weird blog lady.