Sleighing the Season: Easy and Festive Christmas Cocktails for Everyone

12/10/24 • 20 min

Get ready to sip your way through the holidays with this week’s episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast! Host Damian Cole dives deep into the art of festive cocktails and shares easy hacks to make your holiday hosting stress-free and delicious. Whether you're prepping for Christmas morning mimosas or a punch bowl for New Year’s Eve, this episode has you covered.

Episode Highlights

🍸 Cocktail Hacks for Effortless Hosting

Set up a DIY G&T station to wow your guests and save time.
Pre-slice, dehydrate, and freeze garnishes for extra festive flair.
Master the art of batching to streamline your cocktail game.

🍹 Recipes You’ll Love:

Christmas Cosmopolitan: Brandy, cranberry, and seasonal spices take center stage.
Toffee & Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned: A cozy, indulgent take on a classic.
Festive Punch: Learn the "1-2-3-4" formula for the perfect holiday crowd-pleaser.
The Snowball: Avocat + lime + lemonade = nostalgic holiday vibes.

🎁 Creative Garnish Tips:

Frozen cranberries, rosemary sprigs, candy canes, and festive glassware elevate your drinks instantly.

Key Takeaways

✅ Prepping ahead is the key to stress-free holiday hosting.

✅ Festive syrups (think cinnamon and clove) add a Christmas twist to any cocktail.

✅ Punches are your ultimate crowd-pleaser, customizable and easy to batch.

✅ Let your creativity shine with garnishes and themed stations to wow your guests.

Stay Connected

📲 Follow Damian on Instagram & TikTok for cocktail videos, tips, and holiday inspiration:

Cheers to a festive and stress-free holiday season! 🥂 Don’t forget to tag us in your creations!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Highlights

🍸 Cocktail Hacks for Effortless Hosting

Set up a DIY G&T station to wow your guests and save time.
Pre-slice, dehydrate, and freeze garnishes for extra festive flair.
Master the art of batching to streamline your cocktail game.

🍹 Recipes You’ll Love:

Christmas Cosmopolitan: Brandy, cranberry, and seasonal spices take center stage.
Toffee & Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned: A cozy, indulgent take on a classic.
Festive Punch: Learn the "1-2-3-4" formula for the perfect holiday crowd-pleaser.
The Snowball: Avocat + lime + lemonade = nostalgic holiday vibes.

🎁 Creative Garnish Tips:

Frozen cranberries, rosemary sprigs, candy canes, and festive glassware elevate your drinks instantly.

Key Takeaways

✅ Prepping ahead is the key to stress-free holiday hosting.

✅ Festive syrups (think cinnamon and clove) add a Christmas twist to any cocktail.

✅ Punches are your ultimate crowd-pleaser, customizable and easy to batch.

✅ Let your creativity shine with garnishes and themed stations to wow your guests.

Stay Connected

📲 Follow Damian on Instagram & TikTok for cocktail videos, tips, and holiday inspiration:

Cheers to a festive and stress-free holiday season! 🥂 Don’t forget to tag us in your creations!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The Creamy, Boozy World of Eggnog 🍹🎄

🎧 Episode Overview

In this week’s episode of the Cocktail Academy Podcast, we’re diving deep into one of the most iconic holiday drinks – eggnog. Love it or loathe it, this creamy concoction is steeped in history, bursting with indulgent flavors, and surprisingly easy to make. From its mysterious origins to a riotous military scandal, we explore the past, present, and endless possibilities of eggnog. Plus, Damian shares a bulletproof recipe and top tips to ensure your eggnog steals the show this festive season.

Key Topics We Cover

The Origins of Eggnog

How it evolved from medieval possets to a colonial American staple.
Theories behind the name "eggnog," including noggins (wooden cups) and grog (diluted rum).
Its transformation from a luxury drink of the upper class to a festive global tradition.

The Eggnog Riot of 1826

A West Point Military Academy Christmas party gone wild with smuggled Irish whiskey.
A chaotic two-day event that ended with court-martials and infamy.

Foolproof Eggnog Recipe

A creamy, boozy blend featuring eggs, cream, milk, sherry, rum, and Irish whiskey.
Easy variations for different spirits, plant-based options, and even aged eggnog.

Top Tips for Perfect Eggnog

Why whole nutmeg and high-quality ingredients matter.
The magic of aging eggnog for richer, smoother flavors.
How eggnog can double as a unique holiday gift.

Damian’s Eggnog Recipe

Make 1.5 liters of festive joy with these simple steps:

10 eggs – beaten until smooth.
300ml rich vanilla sugar syrup – for sweetness and depth.
250ml milk & 60ml cream – for creamy indulgence.
250ml each of sweet sherry, dark rum, and Irish whiskey – for a boozy kick.
1⁄2 grated nutmeg – for the perfect aromatic finish.
Mix, bottle, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Garnish with fresh nutmeg or cinnamon stick, and enjoy!

Eggnog Variations to Try

Coquito: Puerto Rican eggnog with coconut milk and condensed milk.
Tom and Jerry: A warm, spiced batter-based variation perfect for cold nights.
Dairy-Free Alternatives: Almond milk or oat milk for a plant-based twist.

Follow the Fun

Join the Cocktail Academy community for more recipes, stories, and festive cheer!

🎄 Cheers, sláinte, and happy holidays!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

2025 Drink Trends: What’s Shaking in the Cocktail World

Episode Highlights:

Join host Damian Cole as he kicks off 2025 with predictions for the biggest cocktail and bar trends of the year. After a festive break and a well-earned third-place finish at the Irish Podcast Awards, the Cocktail Academy Podcast is back and ready to dive into what’s next for the cocktail world. From hyper-local menus to immersive bar experiences, this episode covers it all!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🍸 Hyper-local cocktail menus: How sustainability and local ingredients are shaping the future of bar menus.

🥂 The rise of moderation: Why low- and no-alcohol drinks are here to stay.

☕ Coffee and chocolate cocktails: Why these indulgent flavors are making waves.

🌵 The agave boom: Tequila, mezcal, and beyond—exploring the expanding world of agave spirits.

🎮 Immersive bar experiences: From gamified bars to silent reading clubs, discover how venues are leveling up.

Key Takeaways:

Sustainability matters: Hyper-local ingredients and seasonal menus are transforming the industry.
The future is low-ABV: Non-alcoholic spirits like Seedlip and creative mocktails are gaining ground.
Flavor trends: Coffee, chocolate, and umami flavors are set to dominate the cocktail scene.
Agave diversity: Move over tequila—mezcal, sotol, and raicilla are ready for their spotlight.
Immersive experiences rule: Bars are creating unique environments to engage and delight customers.

Damian’s Tips for Home Bartenders:

Visit local farmers' markets for unique, sustainable ingredients.
Experiment with zero-proof spirits and teas to craft creative non-alcoholic drinks.
Don’t overlook coffee and chocolate for your next cocktail experiment.
Try Damian’s favorite chocolate Negroni recipe: it’s a game-changer!