There are dozens and dozens of holiday-themed and holiday-appropriate cocktails one can make to please and amaze family and friends at this time of year. I’ll begin with my very favorite, which I originally posted on this blog a year ago, and then move on to a few others.

And my very favorite holiday cocktail is … 

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
This one does call for egg whites to create a snowy, luscious foam on top, so it isn’t exactly a beginner’s drink, but it’s completely delicious, gorgeous to look at, and in tune with the season. Find the recipe and complete details on it in my original post about it. 

While we’re on the topic of eggy cocktails, tequila lovers will enjoy Snowbound in Jalisco, which is a kind of smoky Margarita with tantalizing texture. 

You get the idea; December holidays call for snow, and if you want a snow-covered cocktail, reach for those eggs—or at least pasteurized egg whites.

Here are some recent finds (tip of the hat to the always reliable Difford’s Guide!) that are egg free, easy to make, and perfectly in step with the holidays.

CHRISTMAS CHEER-Y
Think “boozy cherries in cherry sauce,” or “high-proof cherry pie with no crust.” It’s sweet, but with a touch of bitter so it’s not cloying at all. (My original post has a bit more on it.)

1 oz Oude Genever
1 oz Barolo Chinato
1 oz Heering Cherry Liqueur
½ oz Plymouth Gin or London Dry Gin of choice
¼ oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
2 dashes Fee Brothers Gin Barrel Aged Orange Bitters

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add plenty of ice and stir 15-20 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe or Martini glass. Express the oils from a peel of orange zest onto the drink, discard the orange peel, and garnish the cocktail with Luxardo Maraschino cherries.

ELF ON THE SHELF
Not only is this one delicious, it’s not creepy…you know…like the idea of an elf lurking around the house watching your children’s every move. <shivers>

1⅓ oz El Tesoro Tequila Blanco
½ oz Fino sherry
½ oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
¼ oz Orange liqueur (e.g., Bauchant or Ferrand Dry Curaçao)
½ tsp Grenadine/pomegranate syrup

Combine the first four ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir for 15 seconds, and strain into a chilled Nick & Nora or small (3 oz) cocktail coupe or Martini glass. Pour ½ tsp of grenadine slowly into the center of the cocktail (it should sink to form a Christmassy red base in the glass). For garnish, float a small leaf from the top of a mint sprig. Or if you’re a fan of the Elfin Spy Corps, buy the tiniest Elf on the Shelf you can find, and pin his velvety butt to the rim of the glass.

Speaking of tequila, there are a few variations on the Margarita for the holiday season, and the Cranberry Margarita in particular has always been a crowd pleaser at our house. As well as the seasonal cranberry flavor, the additional dilution of the cranberry juice lowers the proof, so it’s a nice “session” Margarita for your gatherings.

STRANGER IN THE ALPS
May I present your Christmas tree in a glass:

Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur (to rinse the glass)
1½ oz Juniper-forward gin (preferably Sipsmith VJOP)
1 oz Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
¾ oz Campari
¼ oz Braulio Amaro (or similar Alpine amaro)
1 pinch salt (or 5 drops 20% sea salt solution)

Rinse a rocks glass thoroughly with about an ounce of Zirbenz; discard (or drink) the excess and set the glass aside. (If using a large cube of clear ice, place the cube in the rocks glass now.) Add the salt, Braulio, Campari, vermouth, and gin to a mixing glass with plenty of ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into the prepared glass over a large cube of fresh ice, and garnish with a twist of lemon zest.

RÉVEILLON COCKTAIL 
Apples, pears, spices … it’s a heavily-spiked, ice-cold holiday punch!

1½ oz Calvados/apple brandy/Laird’s Straight Applejack
½ oz St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur
¼ oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Liqueur
¼ Punt e Mes or other full-bodied sweet vermouth
4 drops (1 scant dash) Angostura Bitters

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add plenty of ice, and stir 15-20 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice (preferably one large cube, and preferably clear ice). Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick. 

TWO DELICIOUS WAYS TO SPIKE YOUR EGGNOG… 
Not for us, those pre-spiked eggnogs, because most apply only one kind of spirit—namely the same brand the producer sells the rest of the year. My preference is to spike the nog with three distilled spirits, each of which adds something unique to the flavors. There’s rum for some spiciness, bourbon for some sweetness, and brandy or Cognac for bright, volatile flavors and aromas that lift to your nose as you raise the glass. For details of two particular ways to elevate your eggnog, see this Libation Lounge post. 

SPARKLING COCKTAILS: DRESS UP YOUR FAVORITE BUBBLY
Theoretically there’s nothing dressier than a flute or coupe of sparkling wine, whether it’s genuine Champagne, cremant, prosecco, cava, or an elegant Finger Lakes sparkler. They all pair beautifully with gowns and tuxedos, and sparkly precious jewelry.

But wait—there’s more. The simplest cocktails possible require just two ingredients, one of which is your favorite sparkling wine and one is a favorite liqueur. Pour an ounce or so of the liqueur into a Champagne flute, top up with your sparkling wine, possibly crown the drink with a simple garnish, and you’re done. 

A handful of cordials that will work (there’s orange juice, of course, but … how ordinary!):

• Chambord or other raspberry liqueur (and float one raspberry in the drink)
• St. Germain or other elderflower liqueur (garnish with a small twist of lemon peel)
• Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Bauchant, Italicus, or other orange liqueur (garnish with a small twist of orange peel)
• Créme de Cassis (float a couple of currants or cranberries in the drink)
• Créme de Violette (garnish with an edible flower)
• Sloe Gin (float a couple of cranberries in the drink) 
• Peach brandy liqueur 
• Campari, Aperol, or other bittered orange liqueur (garnish with a small twist of orange peel)

This is just the tip of the tip of the tip of the iceberg, friends; there are seemingly countless cocktails you can make to brighten your festivities! As the most useful punchline in the world says, it’s “a good start.”

I wish all of you the happiest holiday season! Cheers.