Kitchen Cocktails, Holiday Edition: 4 Delicious (and Cheap) Cocktails to Try This Holiday Season

The cocktail queen extraordinaire, Marissa Graham, is back! This time she’s serving up 4 fabulous holiday kitchen cocktails. You don’t need fancy, expensive liquors, you don’t need exotic ingredients, and you certainly don’t need to be a mixologist to whip up these tasty beverages. Enjoy!

Hey there, Frugal Foodies! Wow, I can’t believe my first article with FF was over 7 months ago, and I am happy to be back talking about kitchen cocktails, the holiday edition!

Anyone else in a quarantine daze?

When the pandemic *officially* started, I felt waves of panic, boredom, inspiration, and fear. Since then, I have moved across the country, shifted careers, and sort of figured out how California weather works (the key is layers!). 

What hasn’t changed is my love for a cheap kitchen cocktail! Even if your holiday looks different this year, you can still impress those in your bubble with your delicious (& cheap) kitchen cocktails. 

And with all of the extra ingredients laying around without a full house, you might as well not waste them!

In case you need a refresher, here are some tools you can find in your kitchen and use to whip up some cocktails while impressing your partner with your bar lingo (“You want that on the rocks or up?” or “That’ll be $15, not including tip”- ya know, fun!).

Tools:

Shaker: The most common and standard shaker is the Boston shaker, which includes a glass and metal tin. If you don’t own a shaker, grab a Mason jar! It will get the job done… just make sure that lid is secure.

Strainer: The job of a strainer is to keep mixed ice out of the finished product. For this, you can literally use a mesh strainer from the kitchen. No need for anything fancy.

Bar Spoon: This is a less common tool, but is important in mixing and making those drinks nice and cold. A chopstick or metal straw are great alternatives. The chopstick in particular works flawlessly and doubles as a utensil for your sushi dinner. Frugalicious!

Jigger: Used for measuring, the hourglass bar jigger has a 1 oz and 2 oz side. Alternatively, you can use a tablespoon/measuring cup.

Glassware/Terminology: Some cocktails are served up (liquid only) while some are on the rocks (with ice). Glass suggestions are included, but do whatever you like & use what you got. If you have fancy martini glasses with gold embossed letters, do it up. If you have a red solo cup, rock it. It’s what in the glass that matters! 

1. Santa (Blue)Baby

Warm up with this twist on a hot toddy classic!

• 1/2 lemon, juice
• 1/3 C Blueberries
• 3 TBSP honey
• 1 TBSP water (for syrup)
• 1/2 C boiling water
• 2 oz whiskey

For blueberry syrup: Mix blueberries, honey, and water in pot and bring to a boil. Keep warm.

Directions: Boil ½ C water. While it boils, mix whiskey, lemon, and blueberry syrup in a mug. Add boiling water and garnish with lemon wheel and blueberries. 

2. Underneath the Mistletoe

After 1 or 2 of these you will want to kiss your beau underneath the mistletoe! 

• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 2 oz red wine
• 1.5 oz whiskey
• .75 oz maple syrup

Add ice to a shaker or mason jar and add red wine, whiskey, lemon (juiced), and maple syrup. Shake vigorously and strain into rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with lemon peel.

3. Cinnamon Craze

An after dinner drink sure to satisfy all your spiced holiday needs.

• 2.5 oz vodka or Goldschlager (preferred)
• 2 oz oat milk (or fav milk alternative)
• .5 oz agave
• 2 dashes cinnamon

Nutmeg & cinnamon to garnish

Add ice to a shaker or mason jar and add, liquor, oat milk, agave, and cinnamon (unless you are using Goldschlagger). Stir vigorously (do not shake!) for about 30-60 seconds. Strain and serve up in martini glass and garnish with nutmeg and cinnamon to taste.

4. Hot and Buttered

A bonus from the first kitchen cocktail recipes because, it’s just that good AND seasonally appropriate!

NOTE: You will need about an hour to prep batter, so this is definitely the most time consuming of the bunch.

For batter: 

• 3 TBSP butter (softened)
• 1 TBSP maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• pinch salt

Mash ingredients butter has absorbed spices & syrup, lay out on plastic wrap and wrap tightly. Refrigerate until firm.

For Cocktail:

• 2 oz (1/4 C) dark booze
• 4 oz (1/2 C) hot water
• Scoop of batter

Take a dollop of your batter, your favorite dark booze (I would suggest spiced rum, Irish whiskey, even anejo tequila… experiment with what you got!) and add water. Yum! Glass suggestion: mug

The holiday season is all about appreciating those we are with, either virtually or in real life. No matter what drink is in your hand, remember to cherish this time (and maybe ask Santa for a vaccine). Cheers!

Marissa not only makes outrageously great cocktails, but she is also a kick ass personal trainer, incredible dancer, and all around great human being. Be sure to follow her on instagram @marissaegraham 🙂