Christmas is all about making memories with loved ones – and cocktails are just the thing to serve if you’re throwing a Christmas party or having friends over. So, stock up the drinks cabinet with a few cocktail essentials and get ready to celebrate the season in style.
Need a little cocktail inspiration? How about a classic espresso martini or a thirst-quencher that’s big on Italian flavour but low on alcohol, like the iconic Disaronno? You’ll find the recipes for some of our favourite Christmas cocktails below, each one delicious and deceptively simple to make.
Tia Maria: the quintessential coffee liqueur
Tia Maria has been a cocktail fan’s essential ingredient since it first launched in the 1940s. Made with Madagascar vanilla, Jamaican rum and 100 per cent Arabica coffee, it’s rich and full bodied and can be used to create fantastic cocktails – you’ll find lots more cocktail inspiration here.
The perfect espresso martini
A true classic, any good espresso martini should be made with Tia Maria. Its rich coffee aromas and flavours elevate this cocktail to something special. And it looks as good as it tastes too.
Ingredients
• 25ml Tia Maria
• 25ml vodka
• Double or single shot of espresso
Method
1. Fill a martini glass with ice and set aside to chill.
2. Pour the Tia Maria, vodka and espresso into a cocktail shaker. Fill the rest of the shaker with ice and shake the ingredients together.
3. Empty the martini glass of ice and, using a strainer, pour the contents of the shaker into the glass.
4. Garnish with three coffee beans.
The classic Irish coffee
An Irish coffee is a perfect winter warmer and a fantastic option to serve to guests at the end of a meal. Opt for a good quality Irish whiskey and the all-important Tia Maria to ensure best results.
Ingredients
• 30ml The Busker Irish whiskey
• 20ml Tia Maria
• 30ml coffee
• Single cream
• Nutmeg
Method
1. Add the Tia Maria, coffee and Irish whiskey in a glass and stir all the ingredients.
2. Float the cream on top by slowly pouring it over the back of a spoon.
3. Garnish with nutmeg on the surface.
Disaronno: A taste of Italy
Deliciously aromatic, Disaronno is the world’s favourite Italian liqueur. With a truly original taste and unmistakable aroma, it’s endlessly versatile and adds a touch of Italian style and flavour to all sorts of cocktails. Explore more Disaronno cocktail ideas here.
Disaronno sour: The ideal thirst quencher
A uniquely refreshing drink, the distinctive notes of Disaronno blend with the scent of freshly-squeezed lemons to serve up the perfect Disaronno sour.
Ingredients
• 50ml Disaronno
• 25ml fresh lemon juice
• 5ml sugar syrup
• 1 x egg white
Method
1. Mix all the ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled glass.
3. Garnish with a slice of lemon and enjoy.
Disaronno fizz: A low-alcohol drink with a distinct character
The original taste and unmistakable aroma of Disaronno are combined with fizzy soda bubbles and lemon juice for a refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients
• 45ml Disaronno
• 150ml soda or sparkling water
• Fresh lemon juice
Method
1. Pour Disaronno over ice.
2. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
3. Top up with soda water.
4. Stir and garnish with lemon zest.
Follow Tia Maria and Disaronno for more cocktail inspiration. Drink Tia Maria and Disaronno responsibly.