As holiday merry-makers head into Christmas, here are cocktail and dessert liqueur recipes to count down the 12 Days of Christmas. Use these holiday-themed alcoholic drinks, aperitifs, cordials, liqueurs, and cocktails for parties and intimate gatherings. And of course, imbibe in moderation. Unless otherwise noted, drinks should be made with equal portions of each beverage but adjust ingredients to your own taste. Brands are suggested but use your preferred liquors. Serve in Santa Claus-shaped coffee mugs or holiday tumblers. To garnish, skewer listed items on silver, red, or green sword toothpicks.
Cheery Cordial
This recipe tastes like a chocolate covered cherry, only more so. Mix half shots each of Dekuyper Cherry Pucker cordial, Amaretto or other almond liqueur. Add Godiva Chocolate Liqueur or another chocolate liqueur and Bailey's Irish Cream. Serve on the rocks. Add spray whipped topping or drizzle with chocolate for espresso type art. You can also brûlée the topping with a food torch. Garnish with holiday foil-wrapped Hershey's Kisses and maraschino cherry skewers.
Red-Nosed Reindeer
Layer Bailey's Irish Cream, Dekuyper's Razzmatazz Schnapp's or Raspberry Pucker. Garnish with alternating red and green jelly bean skewers. Or go carry on the theme skewering chocolate covered raisins for reindeer droppings.
Add snowflake-shaped candies to ice cubes. Dip pretzels in chocolate and decorate with candy eyes and a red M&Ms nose. Twist reindeer antlers from brown pipe cleaners. Guests will have an edible ornament keepsake to take home.
Ruby Solitaire
This author's husband invented this, along with giving her a ruby promise ring in 1982.
Mix Dekuyer Strawberry Pucker, Mr. Boston or Dekuyper Peachtree Schnapps and Cranberry juice. Garnish with strawberry lime bow. Skewer strawberries and make lime twists from skin using zester, or twist lime slice. Decorate glasses with red and gold foil ribbon. Make ice cubes with sliver nonpareils for snow.
Christmas Tree
Blend with crushed ice or serve on the rocks: Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, and Torani Creme de Menthe.
Green liquor makes for a very festive holiday drink, so do not mix with dark chocolate liqueur or it will discolor. Garnish with colored marshmallow skewers or candy canes. You can also add toppings sprinkled with mini-colored M&Ms. Decorate glass with ribbons for garland and tiny battery light-up Christmas lights.
North Pole Blue Snowmobile
Blend with crushed ice or serve on the rocks: Dekuyper's Blue Curacao, tonic water, and any flavor vodka. Garnish with blue Sweetart candy canes, or mix Peppermint Schnapps or Vandermint liqueur and Godiva Chocolate liqueur. Garnish with candy canes. Make tiny snowballs from shaved ice for ice cubes or serve like a snow cone.
Elf Nectar
Serve at room temperature or warmed: Dooley's Original Toffee Cream Liqueur and Godiva or Paul Masson Chocolate Liqueur.
Garnish with Hershey's Kiss and caramel candy skewers, or garnish with neon gummy worms for holiday recipes.
Chocolate Snowman
Blend Malibu Coconut Rum, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and half a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream. Garnish with Hershey's Kiss, candy corn and marshmallow skewers. Draw a snowman on glasses with window cling paint.
Reindeer Tracks
Use same recipe as Chocolate Snowman but omit Bailey's Irish Cream and add half to a full shot of Amaretto. Garnish with Mounds bar skewers.
Angel Food
Mix Bailey's Irish Caramel Cream liqueur or Godiva Caramel liqueur, Kahlua Vanilla Liqueur, and Torani Tiramisu. Skewer with foil-wrapped silver ball candies.
Caramel Apple
Blend Dekuyper's Sour Apple Pucker and Bailey's Irish Caramel Cream liqueur.
Skewer with red jelly beans and caramel candies.
Starry Night Milky Way
Serve warmed or at room temperature: Bailey's Irish Caramel liqueur or Godiva Caramel Liqueur, Godiva Chocolate liqueur and Kahlua Vanilla liqueur. Skewer with star-shaped marshmallows.
Christmas Stocking
Blend with crushed ice, vanilla ice cream, or serve on the rocks: Hiram Walker Creme de Banana, Kahlua Vanilla, and half a shot of Dekuyper Cherry Pucker, kirsch or cherry brandy and half a shot of chocolate liqueur. Skewer with bell-shaped Christmas candies.
