What Drinks Can I Serve At My Home Bar This Party Season

The festive season is upon us again and there is always plenty to do. Get togethers and parties will be in full swing. It’s time to stock up the home bar. But what drinks can I serve at my home bar this party season?

We can serve traditional Christmas drinks, make simple drinks for an easy life. Or go all out and prepare something special that will impress every time.

These are just 3 drinks to serve this festive season, but there are plenty more.

Traditional Christmas Drinks

There are some great traditional Christmas drinks to serve your guests. These are classics that we all love, which is why they always pop up around the festive season.

Here are a few to consider and won’t disappoint your guests.

Mulled Wine

A classic festive drink that will warm you through and fill your home with festive aromas. It is essentially red wine, brandy, a few spices and orange with a little honey to sweeten.

Although there are many recipes for mulled wine, so it can be adapted for your own tastes.

A basic recipe that is easy to make.

• 1 bottle of Red Wine
• Brandy 150ml
• Spices (cloves, cinnamon stick and star anise)
• 1 orange sliced
• Dash of honey

Add the ingredients to a saucepan and gently heat. Take care not to let it get too hot, or you will burn off the alcohol. Serve warm with a slice of orange.

Eggnog

Another Christmas classic, but it does require a little more effort to make. Eggs, milk and cream are the main ingredients with a little spice thrown in. It can be made alcohol free or laced with a little brandy or whiskey.

Again the are plenty of versions with different ingredients added for personal taste. However, here is a basic recipe.

• 4-6 egg yolks
• 500ml of milk
• 125ml of double cream (heavy cream)
• 6-8 tablespoons of sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg
• 100ml of brandy

The egg yolks are beaten and the sugar added. Then the spice and vanilla extract along with the milk, cream and brandy. Serve chilled with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Many people heat the mixture through so they are not serving raw eggs. Read raw eggs and foodborne illnesses.

Simple Seasonal Drinks

The festive season is a busy time with plenty to do, so it makes sense to keep things simple. Not all drinks have to be complicated to make. So why not keep things easy with these simple festive mixes.

Hot Buttered Rum

Another winter warmer that ideal for a Christmas treat. Hot buttered rum is simple to make and easily scaled to serve more people.

Just like most mixed drinks, there are many variations of this rum drink. Here is a basic recipe to make a quick easy hot buttered rum.

• 60ml rum
• 120ml hot water
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• pinch of cinnamon and/or nutmeg
• Dob of butter

Mix the sugar, spice and butter into a paste and pop in a heat proof glass. Add the rum and hot water, then stir until mixed well. Some add a little vanilla extract too, and you can float the butter on top if preferred.

A very simple festive treat.

Jack Frost

Jack Frost is a super simple winter cocktail with a tropical vibe. Perfect for the festive season, especially if you live in a warm climate.

It is normally made with vodka, however to make it even more festive use rum instead of vodka.

• 20ml Vodka
• 20ml Blue Curacao
• 40ml Pineapple juice
• 20ml Cream Coconut
• Ice
• Honey and coconut flakes (optional)

Add the ice, vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice and cream coconut to a blender and blend. As an extra special treat rim the glass with a little honey and coconut flakes then pour and enjoy.

This will make one drink, but can easily be scaled to make several or a batch.

Special Festive Drinks

Why not really step things up and offer something really special for your guests during the festive season. Just because they are extra special doesn’t always mean they are complicated to make either.

A couple of indulgent drinks for Christmas time.

Drunken Snowman

This one is a super indulgent Christmas drink that will wow your guests and feel comfy at the same time. Use Baileys or another Irish Cream Liqueur.

• 30ml Baileys
• Hot chocolate
• 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• Whipped Cream
• Chocolate Shavings

First make a cup of hot chocolate then in a mug or heat proof glass add 2 scoops of ice cream. Pour in the Baileys followed by some of the hot chocolate. Mix the drink and Squirt the whipped cream on top. Finish with a sprinkle of chocolate shaving.

This one will both impress and spoil your festive guests.

Christmas Punch

What Christmas is complete without a fruity punch, a real crowd pleaser that can be adjusted to suit your tastes. Don’t be afraid to add extra ingredients to jazz it up even more.

You will obviously need a large bowl or pitcher size jug as this is a sharing drink.

• 1 bottle Cava/Prosecco or Champagne
• 200ml Cranberry Juice
• 200ml Orange Juice
• 300ml Dark Rum
• 1 orange sliced
• Cranberries
• Ice

Using a large bowl or jug, add plenty of ice. Pour in the sparkling wine, cranberry juice, orange juice and dark rum. Give it a little stir and add the orange slices and a handful of cranberries.

Simple and easy to make and scale. The dark rum gives a little warm spice to it, however add some spices to give it an extra festive feel.

Final Thoughts

These aren’t the only festive drinks, there are plenty more to serve your guests. The Grinch is wild and green, or how about the Winter Snowflake, creamy and indulgent. Mistletoe Jelly shots are a great short drink to share with friends and add a little fun too.

If you have a favourite festive drink you serve to your guests at Christmas, then do share it below. Include the ingredients and how it is made.