It’s time to bring back the cocktail party in earnest. Sure, you can always add a few cocktails to your regular holiday party, but a cocktail party is so much more. It’s an excuse to get dressed up, to get out your punch bowl and all those bar tools you never use, and to finally use those fancy glasses that have been collecting dust. But more than that, it’s an excuse to just chat with your friends over a fabulous drink, because you know it has been far too long. Here are some great holiday themed cocktail recipes from The Bourbon Women and Michter’s. Happy holidays and cheers from the Bourbon Veach crew!

Photo Courtesy of Bourbon Women

Bourbon Women Cocktail Recipes

St. Nick’s Knickers

1 1/2 oz bourbon

1 1/2 oz ruby port

1/2 oz vanilla simple syrup

1/4 oz Averna amaro

Garnish: lemon peel and cherry

Combine ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice and stir for 30 seconds or until well-combined. Strain into a rocks glass with ice and garnish with a lemon zest expressed over the drink and rubbed on the rim of the glass. Add a pretty cherry or two, if you like.

Italian Cream Cake

1 1/2 oz Buffalo Trace bourbon cream

3/4 oz Lucky’s Coconut moonshine or any clear coconut liqueur

3/4 oz Rivulet pecan liqueur

1/2 oz Tuaca vanilla liqueur

1/2 tsp Allspice dram (optional)

3 dashes Hella ginger bitters

10 drops Bitterman’s tiki bitters

Garnish: candied pecans or coconut slivers

Chill a coupe or martini glass. In a mixing glass, combine all spirits and bitters. Add ice and stir for 30 seconds or until well chilled.  Strain the cocktail into the chilled glass and garnish with a toasted pecan and/or a few dried coconut slivers. Think about all the time you saved NOT baking an entire Italian Cream Cake and enjoy.

Michter’s Cocktail Recipes

Lions Tail

2 oz Michter’s US*1 Bourbon

.5 oz fresh lime juice

.5 simple syrup

1 barspoon Allspice dram

Serve in a coupe and garnish with a lime wheel.

Spiced Old Fashioned

2 oz Michter’s US*1 Rye

.25 oz chai simple syrup*

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

(*Make Chai Tea and add equal parts sugar 1:1)

Serve in a rocks glass and garnish with an orange peel.

Pear of the Dog

2 oz Michter’s US*1 Bourbon

.5 oz sweet vermouth

.5 oz pear liqueur

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Serve in a coupe and garnish with a lemon peel and a very light sprinkle of fresh nutmeg.

Spiced Kentucky Mule

1 bottle Michter’s US*1 Bourbon

24 oz spiced apple cider

24 oz ginger beer

5 oz fresh lemon juice

Warm the apple cider and add 3 sticks of Cinnamon and a pinch of whole cloves. Simmer for 20 mins and remove to cool.

Add all the ingredients in a large punch bowl with ice and garnish with clove studded lemon wheels and cinnamon sticks. Serves 12 individual cocktails.

Chai Old Fashioned

1 bottle Michter’s US*1 Rye

5 oz chai infused honey syrup

5 oz water

20 dashes orange bitters

Mix 2.5 oz honey with 2.5 oz water and place two chai tea bags inside. Infuse for 1 hour

Mix all ingredients together and serve over ice in an old fashioned glass with an orange peel and star anise. Serves 12 individual cocktails.

Biscotti Old Fashioned

2 oz Michter’s US*1 Rye

½ oz Faretti Biscotti Liqueur

2 dashes apple bitters

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Serve in a rocks glass and garnish with a lemon peel.

Holiday Punch (base recipe)

2 oz Michter’s US*1 Bourbon

¾ oz fresh lemon juice

½ oz ginger liqueur

½ oz honey syrup

Garnish with clove studded orange wheels, star anise and cinnamon sticks.

Holiday Punch (15 serving recipe)

1 Bottle Michter’s US*1 Bourbon

18 oz fresh lemon juice

12 oz ginger liqueur

12 oz honey syrup (1:1)

Photos Courtesy of Bourbon Women and Unsplash