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Easy Christmas cocktails can take profits and the overall customer experience at your restaurant to new heights. Every restaurant business with a liquor license should switch up its cocktail menu comes December, as festive beverages are attractive to guests. Plus, you can charge a premium price for them since they’re limited edition.
Any bartender will tell you that cocktails can get surprisingly complicated. And since holiday menus are only available for a short period of time, it’s vital that you focus on easy Christmas cocktails for operational efficiency. Now, without further ado, let’s dive into a dozen ideas for simple Christmas cocktail recipes that only require two ingredients each!
12 Easy Christmas Cocktails With Only 2 Ingredients
The process of coming up with great cocktails for Christmas doesn’t have to be drawn out and complicated. Even the ideation phase can be a breeze if you keep all the drinks super simple. To get you started, we’re going to go over twelve easy Christmas cocktails to add to your menu.
Maybe you can feature a 12 Days of Christmas special where during the twelve days leading up to the holiday, one of the following cocktails can be discounted. Regardless of what you choose to do with your upcoming holiday drink menu, we think the following ideas will spark some easy and inexpensive cocktail inspiration. Check them out.
1. Spiked Eggnog
Eggnog has been a holiday staple for decades. Oh, and this traditional beverage can be made with or without alcohol. But since we’re talking about easy Christmas cocktails, we’ll talk about how to make this creamy drink an adult beverage–just add rum! If you’d like to enhance the “Christmas flavor,” you can opt for a spiced rum instead of a regular one.
2. Peppermint Martini
Everybody loves a festive martini recipe! The best part about making one that tastes like a candy cane is that you probably have the two necessary ingredients behind your bar right now. By combining vanilla vodka and peppermint schnapps, you’ll create a minty cocktail that’s reminiscent of Christmas time’s most iconic sweet treats.
3. Cranberry Mimosa
If you’d like to add a Christmas cranberry cocktail to your menu, consider putting a classic twist on a popular beverage. Typically, a mimosa calls for orange juice to complement the champagne. But to make one of the most popular summer cocktails a bit more festive for Christmas, just swap out the orange juice for cranberry juice. It’ll even display a rich red tone which pairs beautifully with Christmas decor and the holiday’s traditional color palette.
4. Amaretto Hot Chocolate
There are many ways to turn a cozy hot chocolate into an alcoholic beverage. However, the almond flavor profile of amaretto is one that is often associated with the holidays. Just think about the many types of cookies and candy that are popular during the Christmas season. Many of them pair chocolate and almonds. So, creating a cocktail that combines both flavors is perfect for a beverage format. The best part? Hot beverages are ideal during the colder months.
5. Pointsettia
Mimosas aren’t the only champagne cocktails that you can serve at Christmas time. By adding cranberry liquor to a glass of bubbly, you’ll have a festive and celebratory beverage. And not only will the beverage taste festive, but it will also look thematic due to the red color of the liqueur. The strength of the cranberry flavor can also be customizable based on the preferences of both your customers and the bar staff.
6. Cinnamon Whiskey Cider
While apple cider might seem more like a beverage that would be on a Thanksgiving menu, many people opt for fall flavors all the way through Christmas. And while many brands sell regular apple cider, others add cinnamon to it. So, how can you turn this into a cocktail? Instead of brewing apple cider with cinnamon, add a shot of cinnamon-flavored whiskey, such as Fireball or Jack Daniels Fire to each glass of apple cider. You can also brew the cider on a stovetop to heat it before adding the whiskey. The only reason why you wouldn't want to heat them together is because you could end up cooking out the alcohol.
7. Irish Cream Coffee
The chilly weather entices people to drink coffee, and a splash of Irish cream can make a traditional cup just a bit more decadent. It’s also worth noting that an Irish cream coffee can remain a two-ingredient cocktail. Just add something like Bailey’s to a freshly brewed cup of coffee. That’s because Irish cream is already sweet, so there’s no need for additives like sugar or stevia.
8. Winter Spritz
Warm and decadent flavor profiles aren’t the only ones associated with Christmas. There are many consumers and restaurants that opt for fruit flavors during the holidays. Typically, we see this with desserts and candies. However, the same concepts can apply to simple Christmas cocktails. Just combine prosecco and aperol for an orange-flavored beverage that’ll brighten up a meal and deliver holiday cheer.
9. Gingerbread White Russian
You might wonder how a White Russian recipe can only consist of two steps. But here’s the thing–ice cream makes up a lot of the ingredients that you would typically add individually. For instance, a traditional White Russian calls for milk and flavored liqueur, like Kahlua. But when you have something like gingerbread ice cream instead of all the other single ingredients, you can blend it with vodka to create a super simple yet festive Christmas cocktail.
10. Rudolph’s Red Nose
If you’re thinking of a vibrant red Christmas cocktail, consider combining cherry vodka and cranberry juice. Many consumers are already fans of vodka-cranberry cocktails, more formally known as Cape Cod. However, the flavor of cherry paired with cranberry is a recipe for holiday success.
11. Holiday Mule
Ginger beer and vodka is all you need to create a holiday mule. Oh, and don’t forget to switch out the typical bar glassware for copper mugs. Luckily, there are so many different flavored vodkas on the market. So, if you wanted to get creative with the ginger beer you have on hand, you could make holiday mules much more festive with something like cranberry vodka.
12. Pomegranate Prosecco
If you don’t have prosecco on hand, you can also use champagne to make this fruity and festive cocktail. Similar to the Winter Spritz that we mentioned earlier, this beverage will be light and refreshing, while the pomegranate flavor notes still make it relevant to the holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Christmas Cocktails
Now that we’ve gone over a dozen two-step Christmas cocktails, it’s time for a brief overview of just how simple creating such a menu can be. Review the following FAQ section for additional information on the topic of easy Christmas cocktails.
What Are Some Easy Christmas Cocktails?
Several easy Christmas cocktails that you can make this holiday season include the following:
- Spiked Eggnog
- Holiday Mule
- Peppermint Martini
- Amaretto Hot Chocolate
- Gingerbread White Russian
What Is the Most Popular Yet Simple Christmas Cocktail?
The most popular yet simple Christmas cocktail is spiked eggnog. All you have to do is add a shot or two of spiced rum to a glass of eggnog, and you’ll have an iconic holiday classic. Don’t forget to sprinkle the top with cinnamon for a little extra spice.
Do All Restaurants Create a Christmas Cocktail Menu?
It’s safe to say that most restaurants create a Christmas cocktail menu once the holiday season begins. While these menus are typically kept short and sweet, they offer just enough to bring holiday cheer to the establishment.
Is Cranberry a Good Flavor for Easy Christmas Cocktails?
Yes, cranberry is a fantastic flavor to add to all your easy Christmas cocktails. Cranberry juice is a popular mixer, so you probably have it behind the bar at your restaurant as you read this!
Are Alcoholic Coffee Drinks Suitable for Christmas?
Yes, alcoholic coffee drinks are suitable for your list of easy Christmas cocktails. The flavors of different types of alcohol like rum, Kahlua, and Irish cream are heavily associated with the holidays. Plus, coffee is the perfect beverage during the cold winter months.
Simple Christmas Cocktails Made Easy This Year!
As you can see, super easy Christmas cocktails are a possibility this holiday season. Start pairing ingredients together that taste like seasonal favorites, and before you know it, you’ll have a list so long of Christmas-centric combinations that you’ll be checking it twice!