A good Christmas cocktail for 6 people - but Ive got issues!

[Sidebeforeself]

Im looking to make a cocktail for a pre dinner drink on Xmas day but I have a few obstacles to over come!
I cant seem to find a recipe that is more than 2 servings at a time ( i.e. a normal cocktail shaker volume). I’d rather do it in one go
I dont have a cocktail shaker and would rather not have to buy one ( cost , plus its another thing to pack)
I want something seasonal ish ( ie not a summery one) but want to avoid making/hunting down a syrup ( so many Xmas themed ones seem to involve a syrup)

Basically I want a simple cocktail that will impress people but without too much faff! All ideas appreciated!

You don't have to use a shaker or mixing glass to make any cocktail. The main point of shaking is for dilution and chilling, but you can replicate that by mixing it in any vessel with the appropriate amount of water, keeping it in the freezer, then adding ice (if applicable) when you serve it. The thing you miss out on is aeration, for the mouthfeel. If that is an issue for you, you are better off doing this for a cocktail that is usually stirred anyway (Martini, Manhattan, Old Fashioned etc.) If not then any cocktail works, but the simpler the better - sours such as margs or classic daiquiris work just fine. I have a calculator to scale up and work out the amount of dilution needed for either shaken, stirred or thrown drinks, so if you have a favourite drink in mind I'm happy to work out the recipe for the number of drinks you need.

Hi OP. I like your Xmas style.

Buy cherries in jar of kirsch from local delicatessen. Whack some of the cherries and juice in bottom of a glass. Top with fizz.

Eat cherries whilst making drinks.

This year I’ll be making this Whoville’s Spiced Up Margarita (I’d just make up the spice mix with the honey & vanilla, and the cinnamon sugar rim ahead of time and take with me in a small Tupperwares if I were you).

I’ve also just written down 4 suggestions from this thread…some great ideas and looks like it’s going to be a very merry Christmas in our house this year! 🤣

Worth trying the new-ish Fevertree bottled cocktail mixers available in the soft drinks aisle - especially rate the passionfruit version.

(avoid the coffee one late in the day though - it’s a massive caffeine hit)

Homesense (TK Max) sell bottles with the cocktail ingredients inside, you just add the alcohol and fruit juice if required.
They come with instructions and the strainer.
The espresso martini is fabulous,I also have on the go:
Cosmopolitan.
Berry spritzer.
Pina colada.
They're 700ml bottles and approx £6.99 each.

We make this by the jug-load:https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/poinsettia

What about a warm cocktail? A measure of spiced rum (I use captain Morgans), added to warm apple juice and mulled wine spice mix. 🍸🍹

Another vote for spiced rum! Couple of ice cubes, Jamaican ginger beer and an orange slice studded with cloves. Chef's kiss 😋

Champagne plus chambord. Always goes down well and seems festive.

Ooh now I want a cocktail!!

Saving this thread-so many fab ideas!

shaken cocktails can just be mixed up in pitchers. You just need to add a bit of water to account for the melted ice. Or just throw in some ice and let it melt.

Nigella's Christmas Cup. Easy and festive.

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/christmas-cup

I'd do a cosmopolitan - cranberry, cointreau or triple sec, vodka, and lime:

• One of the classics that is popular
• cranberry is Christmassy
• easy to balance (doesn't matter if you put a bit much cranberry in)
• looks nice
• doesn't need to be shaken if you make it in a jug with plenty of ice

Nigella's poinsettia is what you need

www.nigella.com/recipes/poinsettia

So festive, easy and no cocktail shaker required

Oh some of these sound brilliant! I especially like the sound of the ones with kirsch cherries etc.

One of my winter season go tos is just a gin and tonic but made with sloe gin instead of normal. It’s a beautiful reddish colour and I garnish with oranges rather than lemon or lime. I have loads of sloe gin at home as I make it, though it’s easy to buy, and used to have it only like a liqueur but it’s even better in a sg&t. Also makes great alcoholic iced tea in the summer!

A classic Champagne cocktail involves a sugar lump and a shot of cognac, topped up with champagne which would be lovely for a Christmas event.
The best champagne cocktail I ever had involved a sugar lump, a few drops of bitters, triple sec and then cognac topped up with champagne. Looking back I'm not sure it wasn't bewitched: I had the best night of my life after that as an aperitif! 😁

The brandy based Pimms (Number 3?) with apple juice (warm or cold) is wintery and delicious.

Zubrowka vodka with cloudy apple juice tastes like apple pie in a glass. You can garnish with a slice of apple dipped in brown sugar and cinnamon 😋 We once had this in a cocktail fountain for a Christmas party. It went down a storm.

Cranberries are Christmassy - what about a woo woo? Can be mixed in a jug! Dip the glasses rims in icing sugar and decorate with a slice of lime for a Christmas red white and green theme

My favourite cocktail at Christmas is a black Russian; Tia Maria, vodka and coke, it tastes like chocolate in a glass. 😋

Thought of another one - a Hide & Fizz. I made this for my family last year and it was absolutely divine, super easy and very drinkable and light so perfect before a meal. Just up the recipe by x6 and mix the vermouth, pomegranate syrup and lychee liqueur in a big jug with a load of ice. Then scoop out any ice, divide between glasses and top up with the sparkling wine.

If I were to do it again I’d try to get some tinned lychees and pop one of those in each glass too. Also I used Kwai Feh lychee liqueur which tasted amazing so I’d recommend that.

I'd also suggest any champagne based cocktail. Kir or French 75 or similar. You can add a slice of ginger or freeze cranberries and drop 1 in to each glass.
Another simple one is anything tonic based. So do a gin and tonic type drink but add some bitters or a dash of cassis and put sprigs of rosemary and frozen cranberries in.