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When the weather gets colder, people love cozying up at home with a good holiday movie. The decorations, the movie scenes and music, and the favorite meals and holiday drinks create such a wonderful atmosphere.
Many of us love rewatching the same movies every festive season while sipping on hot holiday drinks. Others prefer eggnog and holiday wines. Some even love to have movie cocktails that are inspired by their favorite Christmas stories!
If you are a restaurant owner and want to bring that cozy feeling to your restaurant by serving movie-inspired holiday cocktails, this blog post is for you. We have curated a list of the best movie cocktails to sip on this holiday season!
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The Movie Cocktails You Need to Drink This Festive Season
Now that wintertime is near and the holidays are upon us, it’s time for nice holiday mocktails and cocktails. There are countless holiday beverage recipes you can make. However, not all of them are inspired by people’s favorite holiday movies!
Although these drinks can be made at home, it will be nice to include some of them in your restaurant’s beverage menu. Adding a pinch of pop culture to your seasonal menu will make customers happy. Especially Millenials and Gen Z’s who love a good experience, Instagramable drinks, and a good movie!
Here are our top 6 movie cocktails to try and recreate for your restaurant during this holiday season. Don’t forget to put on the menu the movie that inspired the drink! It will spark a nice conversation with your customers.
Key Takeaway: Make the holiday season more exciting for your customers by offering cocktails inspired by their favorite festive movies. There are many great ideas to try but you can also create your own!
1. "A Christmas Carol" - The Scrooge Sour
The 2009 movie, “A Christmas Carol” is a favorite of many adults today. People have grown up watching this movie every holiday season and grew attached to the character. Those who remember it fondly would love a nice Scrooge Sour.
To make the Scrooge Sour cocktail, you will need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1/2 oz cranberry juice
All drinks that have cranberry juice in them just scream holiday season. It’s one of the preferred ingredients during the winter months. A lot of mixologists recommend using cranberries when creating signature holiday cocktails.
Once you have all the ingredients needed for the Scrooge Sour, follow these instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain the drink in a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon.
2. "It's a Wonderful Life" - Bailey's Angel
Speaking of movies people grew up with, this is one of them for a lot of adults today. It’s a true classic from 1946. A Christmas drama film that touched the hearts of many. It’s been loved and rewatched so much that there are now movie cocktails inspired by it.
One drink that deserves more attention is the cocktail Bailey’s Angel. The ingredients you need for it include:
- 1 oz Baileys Irish Cream
- 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
- 1 oz hot chocolate
- Whipped cream for topping
Only by reading the ingredients you can tell this is a delicious, sweet, and comforting cocktail. To make it perfectly, you should:
- Mix Baileys and Peppermint Schnapps in a mug with hot chocolate.
- Top with whipped cream.
If you want to add your own spin to it, use festive cocktail garnish, such as crushed candy canes.
3. "Elf" - Buddy's Maple Syrup Surprise
If you are in the mood for a nice Christmas comedy, put on “Elf” and enjoy a good laugh! To make the viewing party even better, mix up a Buddy's Maple Syrup Surprise cocktail. If you have a restaurant, offer this among other movie cocktails. This simple step of adding new cocktail drinks to your menu will significantly improve the customer experience.
To make Buddy's Maple Syrup Surprise, you need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz maple syrup
- 1/2 oz orange liqueur
- Orange twist for garnish
For outstanding results, you should:
- Stir bourbon, maple syrup, and orange liqueur with ice.
- Strain into a glass and garnish with an orange twist.
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4. "Home Alone" - Kevin's Hot Chocolate
Speaking of funny classic movies, we can’t skip “Home Alone.” This 1990 classic that people all over the world watch every holiday season has inspired a lot of things. Movie cocktails are among that, too.
Here, we want to present to you a drink that you can serve at your restaurant or make at home. To create Kevin’s Hot Chocolate, you will need:
- 1 1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
- 1 oz hot chocolate
- Crushed candy canes for rimming
How to make Kevin's Hot Chocolate:
- Rim a mug with crushed candy canes.
- Mix peppermint schnapps with hot chocolate and pour into the mug.
5. "The Polar Express" - Santa's Spiked Cocoa
“The Polar Express” is a fantasy, family movie from 2004. A few young boys embark on an extraordinary journey to the North Pole. And you know who lives on the North Pole, right? That’s why the cocktail inspired by this movie is called Santa’s Spike Cocoa.
As you can already tell, there are a lot of great movie cocktails to make. This one is for the people who love a good hot chocolate but a nice twist to it, too. Here’s what you need:
- 1 oz chocolate liqueur
- 1 oz peppermint schnapps
- 1 oz Irish cream
- Hot cocoa
- Candy cane for stirring
Just imagine how good this cocktail will look! We don’t even have to comment on the flavor and aromas. It’s a Christmassy perfection! And to achieve that, you should:
- Combine liqueurs in a mug of hot cocoa.
- Stir with a candy cane to mix the flavors well.
Enjoy this simple, yet super delicious and comforting drink.
6. "Miracle on 34th Street" - Kris Kringle Cranberry Fizz
This is another old but gold movie that inspired a delicious drink. If you want to make the Kris Kringle Cranberry Fizz for your restaurant customers, you will need:
- 1 1/2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz cranberry juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Club soda
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
As we mentioned previously, cranberries make anything more festive. From festive meals and desserts to holiday, and of course, movie cocktails. Here’s how to make this delicious cocktail:
- Shake gin, cranberry juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Strain into a glass with ice.
- Top the drink with club soda (see: club soda vs sparkling water).
- Garnish with fresh cranberries.
All of the movie cocktails we shared a easy to make but will have a huge impact on your restaurant this season. The majority of people love sentimental things, especially in this time of the year. They would love to see drinks inspired by their favorite movies at your restaurant and will be coming back for more.
Look into your beverage inventory now and start planning your menu. Don’t forget to include the fact you have movie cocktails on your menu in your restaurant marketing campaigns. See how it works and thank us later!
Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday Movie Cocktails
If you have questions about creating movie cocktails, read our answers below.
Are There Low-Calorie Options for Holiday Movie Cocktails?
Adjustments can be made to reduce calorie content. You can use diet drink mixers, choose lower-calorie spirits, or opt for sugar-free alternatives in your cocktail recipes.
Can I Create Movie Cocktails Myself?
Creating cocktails inspired by your favorite holiday movies is a great idea. For businesses, this is a sure way to set yourself apart from the competition and provide customers with a unique experience.
Are Movie Mocktails a Thing?
Similar to movie cocktails, there are many movie-inspired mocktails you can make. Search for recipes online or create your own. Customers will be delighted!