December is a month brimming with cheer, marked by the warmth of holiday gatherings and the indulgence of festive cocktails. While there’s no official holiday cocktail for events like Easter or Arbor Day, December is a different story, teeming with unique drinks that celebrate the season.

The magic of December invites indulgence, making it the perfect time for cozy cocktails that help us escape the cold. From Mulled Apple Cider to classic Eggnog, holiday drinks serve not just to warm the body but also to enhance the spirit of the season.

Here are nine delightful cocktails to try this December:

Peanut Malt Flip Cocktail

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz. scotch
  • 1 oz. cream
  • 0.75 oz. simple syrup
  • 1 tbsp. peanut butter
  • 1 egg
• Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake without ice to emulsify the egg, add ice, and shake well. Strain into a glass and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Hot Toddy

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz. whiskey
  • 0.75 oz. lemon juice
  • 0.75 oz. honey/ginger
  • 4-6 oz. boiling water
• Instructions: Pre-warm a mug with boiling water, then add all ingredients, topping with hot water. Garnish with a lemon slice studded with cloves.

Old Cuban

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz. aged rum
  • 0.75 oz. lime juice
  • 0.75 oz. simple syrup
  • 6-8 mint leaves
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 2 oz. sparkling wine
• Instructions: Shake all ingredients except the wine with ice, strain into a glass, and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with mint.

Boozy Hot Chocolate

• Ingredients:
  • 6 oz. milk or cream
  • 45 g semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 1.5 oz. reposado or añejo tequila
• Instructions: Warm milk and sugar, add chocolate, and stir until melted. Pour into a pre-warmed mug with tequila and top with marshmallows.

Eggnog

• Ingredients:
  • 12 egg yolks
  • 18 oz. white sugar
  • 36 oz. whole milk
  • 24 oz. heavy cream
  • 12 oz. aged rum
  • 12 oz. Cognac
  • 8 oz. bourbon
  • ½ tsp. salt
• Instructions: Beat yolks and sugar until light. Add milk, cream, liquor, and salt. Store in the fridge; serve chilled with nutmeg.

Mulled Apple Cider

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz. Irish whiskey
  • 4.5 oz. hot mulled apple cider
  • 1 oz. unsweetened half-whipped heavy cream
• Instructions: Pour whiskey and cider into a mug, layer with cream, and sprinkle with cinnamon.

French 75

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz. gin
  • 0.5 oz. lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz. simple syrup
  • 3 oz. Champagne
• Instructions: Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice, strain into a flute, and top with Champagne.

Brandy Alexander

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz. Cognac
  • 1 oz. cream
  • 1 oz. crème de cacao
• Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with nutmeg.

Spiced Tequila Punch

• Ingredients:
  • 6 oz. spiced syrup
  • 18 oz. añejo tequila
  • 6 oz. Amontillado sherry
  • 6 oz. lemon juice
  • 30 oz. chilled cinnamon tea
• Instructions: Combine all ingredients and serve over ice with garnishes.

These drinks not only add delicious flavors to your holiday gatherings but also embody the spirit of togetherness and joy that defines the season. Cheers to a festive December filled with warmth and wonder!