holiday cocktail recipes | Brio Smart Life

Cocktails and Valentines: Top 5 cocktails to share on Valentine’s Day

A cocktail for two sounds delightful

Looking for the best cocktails to share on Valentine’s Day? Look no further! Check out our top 5 favorite elegant cocktail recipes that are perfect for Valentine’s day.

Cocktails and Valentines: Our top 5 cocktails to share on Valentine's Day

Amaretto Cranberry Kiss

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

Get ready to pucker up for this one! The Cranberry Kiss melds the sweetness of Amaretto with the tangy bite of cranberry juice and the smoothness of vodka. These ingredients combine to create the perfect balance of flavors. Don’t worry if you’re flying solo on Valentine’s Day! This cocktail will provide you with a smooth kiss and complex flavors to keep you sipping away.

Touch of Venus

Image / Recipe from // Stephen Phillips – HGTV

It’s the elixir of the Goddess of Love! The Touch of Venus rebels against the idea that a Valentine’s day cocktail needs to be pink or red to convey passion. Enjoy the sweet citrus caress of this Italian love potion.

Sweet Love’n Martini

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

The Sweet Love’n Martini is a delicious cocktail recipe that will complement any romantic evening with your Valentine. If you’re craving something as sweet as your love, give this fruity martini a try!

Love Potion No. 9 Martini

Image / Recipe from // The Cookie Rookie

This cocktail is sure to put a spell on you. Between the pomegranate, strawberry, and black raspberry flavors in this concoction, you’ll be in heaven! So take a sip of this potion, it’s bound to make you fall berry in love!

Cherry Bourbon Smash

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

This Cheery Bourbon Smash is a Valentine’s Day cocktail option that isn’t so lovey-dovey. With tart cherry juice and smooth bourbon, this cocktail is one for you adventurous types looking to experiment with something new.

About the Author

Kellie – Head of Content Creation

Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger

About the Author

Corinne – Content Curator

Social Media Addict | Wine Fanatic | Dog Lover | Workout Enthusiast

5 Delicious Champagne Cocktails For New Year’s Eve

Let the Countdown to the New Year Begin!

Ringing in the New Year with a champagne toast is a tradition shared across the globe. But for some of us, straight champagne can be bland and boring. Looking for a way to fancy up your champagne game for this New Year’s Eve? These delicious champagne cocktails can really amp up your New Year’s celebrations!

Kir Royale

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

The Kir Royale is a simple, yet tasty remedy to boring stand alone champagne. This French cocktail is sure to be a party pleaser with its sweet profile and notes of dark currant.

French 75

Image / Recipe from // Liqour.com

The French 75 is a chic champagne cocktail that blends lemon juice and gin with the bubbliness of chilled champagne. It’s one ring-a-ding-ding of a classic cocktail.

Pom-Mint Champagne Cocktail

Image / Recipe from // Cosmo

Pomegranate and mint add an elegant twist for your New Year’s eve toasts. This delightfully colorful champagne cocktail will really wow your guests, and is super easy to make.

Champagne Margarita

Image / Recipe from // 40 aprons

Margaritas are always a crowd pleaser, and this delicious champagne cocktail will have your guests singing your praises well into the new year!

The Ice Queen

Image / Recipe from // Brio Classic Cocktails

Don’t like Champagne? Try Prosecco instead! This Prosecco cocktail, brainchild of Natasha David, is sure to liven up your New Year’s.

About the Author

Kellie – Head of Content Creation

Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger

About the Author

Corinne – Content Curator

Social Media Addict | Wine Fanatic | Dog Lover | Workout Enthusiast

Holiday Classic Tom and Jerry Cocktail

Warm up with this Eggnog Alternative

The Tom and Jerry cocktail puts a twist on classic eggnog by using rum and cognac and serving the cocktail warm.

This classic Tom & Jerry Cocktail recipe is a delicious alternative to boring Eggnog

With Christmas right around the corner, I’m sure you’ve seen your local grocery store stocked with Eggnog for weeks now. You either can’t wait to drink more of that thick, creamy concoction, or you’re starting to get tired of it. Well, you if fall into the latter category, keep reading because the Tom and Jerry cocktail might just be the perfect solution for you.

The Tom and Jerry cocktail puts a twist on classic eggnog by using rum and cognac instead of bourbon and by serving the cocktail hot. Additionally, while eggnog is very thick, the Tom and Jerry has a lighter, whipped texture.

Although the Tom and Jerry does require time to prepare, it is well worth the effort. Once you have it all concocted, if you are wanting to be completely authentic, you can serve it in Tom and Jerry mugs (gold trimmed mugs with Tom and Jerry on the front).

Now let’s show you how to make this Tom and Jerry recipe!

Tom and Jerry Cocktail

Yields: 4 Servings

Ingredients You’ll Need:

8 ounces Tom & Jerry Batter
4 Ounces Cognac
4 Ounces Aged Rum
8 Ounces Hot Whole Milk
Cinnamon for Garnish

Glassware and Items You’ll Need:

Irish Coffee Mugs or Tom and Jerry Mugs (if you have them)
Spoon

Tom and Jerry Batter

Ingredients You’ll Need:

3 Eggs
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground clove
Nutmeg to garnish

Items You’ll Need:

Mixing bowls
Wisk
Spoon

Preparation

Tom and Jerry Batter: Separate the eggs and then beat the whites until they stiffen and form peaks (a mixer may be used). In a separate bowl, mix together the yolks, sugar, and spices. Fold the egg whites into the yolks. The batter can be made the night before to let the spices meld.

Tom and Jerry Cocktail: To prepare the drink, place 1 tablespoon of batter in a mug. Add 1 ounce each of cognac and rum to the mug (stir to avoid curdling). Finally, add hot milk to fill the mug and stir until frothy. (Milk and water can also be mixed in a 50/50 ratio.) Top with nutmeg. Creates four servings.

Nutritional Content

1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 150 Fat (g) 0.7 Saturated Fat (g) 0.2 Cholesterol (mg) 31 Carbohydrates (g) 18.9 Dietary Fiber (g) 0 Total Sugars (g) 18.5 Protein (g) 0.9 Sodium (mg) 11

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Corinne – Content Curator

Social Media Addict | Wine Fanatic | Dog Lover | Workout Enthusiast

Cocktail recipes to enjoy for the holidays

10 Best Cocktail Recipes for the Holidays

These Cocktails Made it to the Top of Santa’s Naughty List

Tis the season for mixed cocktails that you won’t want to put down! These cocktail recipes for the Holidays will have your relatives complementing your mixology skills, instead of talking politics.

10 Best Cocktail Recipes for the Holidays

Mulled Wine

Image / Recipe from // Brio Classic Cocktails

Whether you call it Glühwein, Gløgg, Vin Brulé or Mulled Wine, making hot, spiced wine is a holiday tradition around the world. It wouldn’t quite be Christmas without it, and this ultimate mulled wine recipe takes the Yule Log!

Festive Candy Cane Martini

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

This simple candy cane infused cocktail is full of holiday cheer! This candy cane martini recipe combines homemade candy cane infused vodka, vanilla schnapps, and cranberry juice into a seasonal cocktail you can not put down.

Irish Cream Hot Chocolate

Image / Recipe from // Erin | Delightful E Made

This is the number one creamy and frothy hot chocolate recipe, with an adult twist, that you’ll want to drown in chocolate sauce.

Cranberry Whiskey Buck

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

Ring in the holidays with cranberry and whiskey! This fizzy pairing of whiskey, ginger ale, and cranberry juice will have you Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.

The North Pole

Image / Recipe from // Half Baked Harvest

Named after Santa’s favorite hangout, the North Pole cocktail is a sweet and creamy cocktail for all the kids at heart at your holiday soiree.

Tom and Jerry

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

The Tom and Jerry cocktail puts a twist on classic eggnog by using rum and cognac instead of bourbon and by serving the cocktail hot. Additionally, while eggnog is very thick, the Tom and Jerry has a lighter, whipped texture.

Yule Mule

Image / Recipe from // Feast West

‘Yule’ find that this holiday cocktail recipe really tickles your taste buds! Celebrate the Winter Solstice with this ginger and cranberry mash-up.

Hot Buttered Rum

Image / Recipe from // Brio Classic Cocktails

There’s nothing that quite spells out the Winter holidays like good ol’Hot Buttered Rum.

Jungle Juice Punch

Image / Recipe from // Inspired by Charm

What Holiday cocktail recipe list would be complete without a spiked punch recipe? This simple holiday punch will have you Jingling all the way, so make sure to Uber your sleigh ride home.

Kir Royale

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

Looking for a way to fancy up your champagne game for this New Year’s Eve? The Kir Royale is a simple, yet tasty remedy to boring stand alone champagne.

About the Author

Kellie – Head of Content Creation

Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger

About the Author

Corinne – Content Curator

Social Media Addict | Wine Fanatic | Dog Lover | Workout Enthusiast

Festive Candy Cane Martini

Tis the Season!

This simple candy cane infused cocktail is full of holiday cheer!

Simple and festive Candy Cane Martini recipe

Sweet. Spicy. Tangy. Savory. You just can’t go wrong with tastes of the season! No wonder Andy Williams said, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” There’s something about these flavors that make me happy and create very delicious cocktails.

This candy cane martini recipe merges the flavors of homemade candy cane infused vodka, vanilla schnapps, and cranberry juice into a seasonal mixed cocktail you cannot put down.

We are one week closer to Christmas and my house is still full of Christmas candy from Saint Nicholas’ day. That’s December 6th for those who didn’t know. So when life gives you candy canes, make candy cane infused vodka!

Now, if you’ve never made candy cane infused vodka before, don’t worry. It’s very easy to do, and Erin from The Speckled Palate has a wonderfully simple recipe for you to follow if you want to make your own candy cane infused vodka.

Images in graphic from The Speckled Palate

I made this recipe to have on hand for the holidays, and I have at least three extra mason jars still infusing. You can bet someone’s getting these as a Christmas present wrapped with a bow and recipe card to make this fantastic martini.

Now let’s show you how to make this festive Candy Cane Martini recipe!

Candy Cane Martini

Yields: 1 Serving

Ingredients You’ll Need:

5 Ounces Candy Cane Vodka
2 Ounces Vanilla Schnapps
2 Ounces Cranberry Juice
Red Sugar for rims
Halved Candy Cane for Garnish

Glassware and Items You’ll Need:

Cocktail Glass
Cocktail Shaker

Preparation

Sugar Rims: Fill a small plate with red sugar, making sure the sugar on the plate is thick enough to cover the rim of your glass. Run a lemon or lime wedge along the rim of the glass. Dip rim into the sugar to evenly coat. Shake off excess and set aside.

Candy Cane Martini: Add candy cane infused vodka, vanilla schnapps, and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled, around 30 seconds or so. Strain evenly into sugar rimmed cocktail glasses. Garnish with half of a candy cane. Enjoy!

Nutritional Content

1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 150 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Cholesterol (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 3 Dietary Fiber (g) 0 Total Sugars (g) 3 Protein (g) 0.1 Sodium (mg) 8.5

About the Author

Kellie – Head of Content Creation

Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger

5 Ultimate Recipes For Spiked Hot Chocolate

We’re dreaming of a hot chocolate Christmas!

You never get too old for hot chocolate! But these spiked hot chocolate recipes are just for us kids at heart.

Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate

Image / Recipe from // Judy | I’m Bored Let’s Go

It’s sugar, it’s spice, and it’s everything oh-so nice. This spiked Mexican hot chocolate will make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. Don’t forget the whipped cream on top!

Salted Caramel White Hot Chocolate

Image / Recipe from // Natalie Migliarini | Delish

White hot chocolate? Who would have thunk! This delightful mix of caramel, white hot chocolate, and Bailey’s is going to change the way you look at hot chocolate.

Bourbon Hot Chocolate

Image / Recipe from // Sugar Dish Me

Bourbon. Marshmallows. Chocolate. You can’t go wrong with this combination of spiked hot chocolate awesomeness!

Kahlua Hot Chocolate

Image from // Honey and Birch Recipe from // Sugar & Soul

Of all the spiked hot chocolate recipes, this might be our favorite. It’s a creamy and frothy hot chocolate with an adult twist that you’ll want to drown in chocolate sauce.

Irish Cream Hot Chocolate

Image / Recipe from // Erin | Delightful E Made

This is the perfect spiked hot chocolate recipe for snowy nights to sip by the fire. It’s also a great grown-up dessert!

About the Author

Kellie – Head of Content Creation

Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger

About the Author

Corinne – Content Curator

Social Media Addict | Wine Fanatic | Dog Lover | Workout Enthusiast

Cranberry Whiskey Buck

The Holiday Season Begins with Cranberry and Whiskey

This fizzy pairing of whiskey, ginger ale, and cranberry juice will be a pleasure to your taste buds.

Try this Brio Drink of the Week: the Cranberry Whiskey Buck

Cranberry juice. It is the mixer we all come to love in our early drinking years, where vodka cranberries were common and we didn’t know that it could get any more sophisticated than that. Well, we’ve introduced you to the Amaretto-Cranberry Kiss, now we’d like to serve you this Cranberry Whiskey Buck.

Bucks are a family of cocktails where an alcohol is mixed with ginger ale or ginger beer and citrus juice. You may have already experienced one if you’ve ever enjoyed a Moscow Mule, which is also known as a Vodka Buck. If you’d like to try another buck cocktail, try our Irish Buck, which is a delicious blend of Jameson, ginger ale, and lime juice.

In the case of this Cranberry Whiskey Buck, whiskey is paired with ginger ale and cranberry juice. This fizzy pairing makes for a delicious fall flavored cocktail. Normally, I’m not the biggest fan of fizzy drinks, but I rather like this one. I’m starting to think whiskey just goes with everything. Water, cider, Coke, root beer, lime/lemon, and now cranberry juice.

This Cranberry Whiskey Buck cocktail is the elegant cocktail you will want to serve to your guests this Thanksgiving.

Now let’s show you how you make a Cranberry Whiskey Buck!

Cranberry Whiskey Buck

Yields: 1 Serving

Ingredients You’ll Need:

1 Ounce Whiskey
1 Ounce Ginger Ale
1 Ounce Cranberry Juice
Cranberries for Garnish

Glassware and Items You’ll Need:

Rocks Glass
Cocktail Shaker w/ Strainer

Preparation

Cranberry Whiskey Buck: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and pour in whiskey, ginger ale, and cranberry juice. Shake until chilled, about 30 seconds or so. Strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a couple of fresh cranberries. Enjoy!

Nutritional Content

1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 140 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Cholesterol (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 18 Dietary Fiber (g) 0 Total Sugars (g) 18 Protein (g) 1 Sodium (mg) 25

Try this Cranberry Whiskey Buck cocktail.

About the Author

Kellie – Head of Content Creation

Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger

Easter Strawberry Gin Smash Recipe

It’s like Easter in a Glass!

Enjoy a bit of Springtime with a glass of this Strawberry Gin Smash.

Drink of the week: Strawberry Smash for Easter

A moment of silence for all the Lenten diets about to be broken this Sunday. Now that that’s over with, mix yourself up a glass of this Drink of the week: the Easter Strawberry Smash. This delicious take on a Gin Smash comes to us from The Kitchn‘s The 10 Minute Happy Hour.

Gin Smashes are the cousin of the Mint Julep, a Springtime Southern staple, and they are great Easter cocktails. The muddled flavors of strawberry and lime give this cocktail a refreshing taste and its Easter-Pink color.

In this recipe, we splurged a little bit on a bottle of Hendrick’s gin, but anything above Aristocrat will do nicely. You might also want to pick up a package of fresh pre-sliced strawberries, if you don’t want to add any extra work.

Want to make a pitcher of this Strawberry Gin Smash recipe? You’re in luck. We included an 8 serving size version of this cocktail for those who would like to serve a pitcher at their Easter brunch and dinner parties.

Strawberry Gin Smash

Single Serving

Ingredients You’ll Need:

3 Ounces Gin
½ Ounce Club Soda
½ Teaspoon Sugar
Juice of 1 Lime Wedge
2 Sliced Strawberries
Whole Strawberry for Garnish

Glassware and Items You’ll Need:

Highball Glass

Servings: 8

Ingredients You’ll Need:

16 Ounces Gin
24 Ounces Club Soda
2 Tablespoons Sugar
4 Tablespoons Lime Juice
1 lb Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Mint for Garnish

Glassware and Items You’ll Need:

64 Ounce Pitcher
Highball Glass

Preparation

Strawberry Gin Smash: In a tall glass, use a spoon to dissolve the sugar in the juice from one lime wedge. Add some sliced strawberries, and lightly muddle, to release the strawberry flavor and color. Next, fill the glass with ice and pour gin over muddled mixture. Top with club soda. Serve over ice and garnish with a whole strawberry. Enjoy!

Make a pitcher: Combine the sugar and lime juice together at the bottom of a pitcher. Take the slices, from about 6 to 8 strawberries, and muddle together lightly with the lime-sugar mixture. Pour in the gin and stir. Let the mixture chill in the fridge for about an hour or two (overnight would be even better), to allow the strawberries to add more flavor and color to the drink. When you are ready to serve, top with club soda and add ice. Stir the mixture together really well, and serve over ice in a tall glass. Your guests are sure to enjoy this!

Nutritional Content

1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 105 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Cholesterol (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 6 Dietary Fiber (g) .1 Total Sugars (g) 5 Protein (g) 0 Sodium (mg) 3

About the Author

Kellie – Head of Content Creation

Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger