Heck Yeah, Holiday Cocktails!

Holiday party season is well underway, and it’s almost Christmas Day! If you’re like me (and you’re over 21, HELLO), tis the season to eat, drink and be merry. Stress on drink and be merry. Delicious cocktails are the order of the day! Allow me to introduce you to some of my favorite libations, and share some recipes that’ll make you the belle of your Christmas cocktail party!

This post is really intended for those who are of age, BTW – if you’re under 21, please click here!

When I think of Christmas cocktails, I think of three adjectives – dark, sweet, and spicy. I’m a brown spirits kinda gal even in the summer, but there’s something appealing and innately Christmassy about brown spirits in the winter. This year I’m combining my Caribbean culture with the flavors of the season.

Have you heard of Zaya rum? It’s described as “the world’s finest sipping rum” – and I can already hear the Trinis back home saying AHEM what about Angostura 1824 or 1919? Like those delicious rums, Zaya is also Trinidadian in origin. And it’s different. Darker. Sweeter. Zaya is a blend of several rums, all aged a minimum of 12 years. It’s distilled 5 times. And unlike some of Trinidad’s finest rums – Zaya is readily available at your local liquor stores here in the USA. I was so delighted to see it on shelves at my neighborhood Binny’s!

So how do I like my Zaya? It’s delicious with cola or with sweet fruit juices…but at this time of year, I LOVE a Dark and Stormy. Ginger beer + a squeeze of fresh lime juice + Zaya rum = fabulous. Warm, sweet, spicy, heady. Good thing you’re not the designated driver!

There’s liquor and then there’s liqueur, and I’m a fan of both (don’t get me wrong), but the holidays are the time of year to dust off those liqueurs and mix up some fabulous cocktails. I love the nut liqueurs (amaretto and Frangelico), but I go head over heels for anything berrylicious. And when it comes to delicious fruity liqueur that simply makes EVERYTHING taste THAT much better, well that’s what Chambord is all about. And besides. LOOK at that bottle! That’s a party starter, am I right? Just a splash of Chambord Liqueur Royale De France elevates any drink to the next level. If you’re looking for a top notch New Year’s or Christmas Day cocktail to toast with, try Chambord and champagne – or heck, Chambord and asti spumante for those of us who ball on a budget! Garnish with a raspberry for that extra special touch of glam.

Chambord is delicious enough on it’s own, and now there’s a sibling in the family. Chambord Vodka. OMG, it is heaven in a bottle. If you think heaven tastes like delicious raspberries, that is. Black raspberry + French vodka = WIN. This isn’t your bottom shelf raspberry vodka. This is decadence and class, OK? Don’t get it twisted. I’m head over heels for the Starry Night – Chambord Vodka, St. Germaine elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and bubbly. FTW. If you’re a lover of champagne cocktails, you need to try it. But honestly Chambord Vodka mixes well with SO many things – champagne, pineapple juice, lemon lime soda, it’s ALL good. I recently brought bottles of both Chambord and Chambord Vodka to a holiday dinner party, and mixed up the following:
Chambord + Chambord Vodka + pineapple juice + a splash of lemon lime soda in each glass. It’s like CANDY. That can get you in trouble. So you know, proceed with caution.

And finally, Alize. Whenever I think Alize, I think of Thug Passion. Just me? But Alize is more than just the cognac/juice blend that fueled a Tupac tune, and you can mix it with more than just Henny. (that’s too strong for my taste, sorry!) I think Alize blends well with other alcohols – Alize + vodka or Alize + coconut rum is potent but full of win. Add a splash of your juice of choice, and you got something going on! For a truly tropical taste sensation try this:

Alize Red Passion + organic Yumberry juice by R.W Knudsen on the rocks will make you feel like your toes are in the sand and the sun is shining on your shoulders. Even if the weather outside remains frightful.

I plan on doing some entertaining in the days to come, so I’m gonna be serving these up soon! What’s your favorite spirit of the season?