Christmas is getting closer, which means that everyone is excited about all the festive meals, movies, music and presents that are coming ahead. Preparing a Christmas dinner is a big job, so it’s important to stay on focus and have a clear idea of what you want to serve for your loved ones. Whether you prefer traditional snacks or something healthier, it’s necessary to invest some effort so your Christmas table will be well-set and rich. Aside from food, drinks are another big part of every Christmas experience, so you should definitely make an effort to prepare and serve something delicious.

Christmas is the time for joy, reconciliation and spending time with the ones you love. That’s why these cocktails will make everyone happy since they’re tasty and easy to prepare.

So, it doesn’t matter where you are, or what your traditional Christmas food is, here are five amazing cocktails that will go great with your festive dinner:

1. Eggnog is a tasty and traditional choice

Nothing is more in tune with Christmas spirit than eggnog, a tasty egg-based liquor made with milk, sugar, whipped cream and nutmeg. Granted, it’s best served after dinner while wearing a pair of fuzzy slippers and sitting in front of a fireplace. It can also be non-alcoholic, so it’s safe for children as well. If you’re a vegan or have vegan family members over for Christmas dinner, it’s great news that there are non-dairy/vegan options made with coconut, soy and other plant-based types of milk. But, if you find this drink a bit boring, there are excellent ways to spice it up, just add some Jamaican rum or Scotch Whisky. For those who truly love this popular festive drink, there are numerous desserts that will make your Christmas even tastier and more fun.

2. Mulled Wine

Some believe there’s no Christmas without mulled wine, which is completely understandable because this warm alcoholic drink goes great with gingerbread cookies and any Christmas cake. It’s easy to prepare — just pour a bottle of red wine into a pot and warm it on a stove, then add cinnamon, honey, sugar and sliced seasonal fruits such as apples and oranges. Drinking mulled wine is a great way to keep yourself warm and cozy during cold winter days, but drinking it on Christmas eve will evoke a special magical feeling, especially if you decide to share it with your loved ones.

3. Christmas Margarita

This cocktail is great for all the tequila lovers out there, and it consists of a traditional margarita base with some interesting twists. So, besides tequila, you’ll need lime and orange liqueur, but for that extra Christmas feel, it’s necessary to add coconut milk, white cranberry juice, lime juice and some season garnishes such as cranberry and rosemary spring. Of course, if you feel like experimenting, feel free to add some other garnishes of your choice. Also, make sure to chill the glass before you add ice, and for an even richer flavor, it’s best to use canned coconut milk. Now, if you truly want to impress your guests with amazing cocktails, you can hire a renowned mixologist from NYC, so you can be sure that all your cocktails are well-prepared and delicious. This can be a great solution if you don’t have enough cocktail-making experience, or you simply want to focus on preparing Christmas dinner instead of making drinks.

4. Santa’s Whiskey Flip

Cinnamon is the ultimate festive spice, there’s just something about it that evokes pleasant and warm feelings, so it’s not surprising that it’s also a part of this cocktail. To make this drink, you’ll need whiskey, amaretto, egg, cinnamon, grated nutmeg, and heavy cream, even though the latter is optional. Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker, then dry shake it. Since this drink contains whole eggs, it’s essential to dry shake it, so the egg will be completely mixed into the drink. After shaking, add some ice into a shaker and wait for half a minute before you pour it into a cocktail glass, just make sure to chill it beforehand. Optionally, you can dust the drink with grated nutmeg. If you’re not sure which whiskey to choose, then bourbon is the safest choice, but Irish whiskey will also do.

5. Brandy Alexander

This is a traditional Christmas drink is perfect for both relaxation and more lively party occasions. It’s made of brandy, crème de cacao, dairy cream, and nutmeg garnish. However, it’s important to point out that the heaviness will depend on the amount of cream you choose to put, so milk will make a rather light cocktail, so it’s best to use 2 percent whole milk as it’s fuller and richer in taste. Brandy Alexander is best served in traditional cocktail glasses, just make sure to use a quality brandy so your cocktail will taste just right. Since it has such a rich taste, it goes great with various desserts such as ice cream.

Conclusion

Christmas is the time for joy, reconciliation and spending time with the ones you love. That’s why these cocktails will make everyone happy since they’re tasty, easy to prepare and go well with many desserts and other foods. It’s up to you to decide how you’re going to serve them, just don’t forget to have a wonderful time, because that’s what Christmas is for, after all.