Cheers to the Season: The Best Christmas Cocktail Recipes to Enjoy this Year

Christmastime is when Britain's luxury hotels truly shine, their bars transforming into havens of warmth and conviviality.

PoB Hotel’s master mixologists have been busy capturing the essence of the season, crafting Christmas cocktail recipes that go far beyond the usual mulled wine. Think warming digestifs with Highland single malts, sophisticated spritzes that sparkle, and decadent after-dinner serves that could double as dessert.

Whether you're planning to recreate these easy Christmas drink recipes for your own festive soirée, or fancy letting our expert bartenders do the work while you sink into a fireside armchair, we've gathered six standout cocktail recipes for Christmas that capture the magic of a British winter.

There's nothing quite like a classic Hot Toddy to warm you up on a chilly winter's day, and the team at The Torridon have put their own luxurious spin on this beloved Christmas cocktail. Served best in a traditional Scottish teapot and mug set, this cosy concoction is spiked with malt whisky, fragrant spices, and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. Sip it slowly and let the warmth of the spirit and the sweetness of the honey envelop you - the perfect accompaniment to a brisk winter walk along the North Coast 500.

Ingredients

• 25ml of single malt Scotch Whisky
• 1tsp of heather honey
• 5 star anise
• 10 cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 fresh lemon
• Boiling water
• Homemade shortbread for pairing

Method

1. Cut the lemon in half. Slice one half thinly for garnish, and squeeze the juice from the other half into a teapot.
2. Add 1 cinnamon stick, 3 star anise and 7 cloves to the teapot.
3. Fill with boiling water and let it steep.
4. In a large mug, add your desired measure of malt whisky and heat until steaming hot.
5. Garnish the mug with 1 lemon slice, 1 star anise and 1 cinnamon stick.
6. Place a tea strainer over the mug and add honey to taste.
7. Slowly pour the spiced tea through the strainer into the mug, allowing it to mix with the whisky. Remove the strainer.
8. Add more hot water to adjust strength as desired.

Guests can discover this cocktail in the iconic Torridon Whisky Bar, home to an impressive collection of 365 classic and rare malts. Whether seated at the distinguished oak-panelled bar or relaxing in a plush sofa, visitors can embark on a sensory journey guided by expert whisky connoisseurs who share their knowledge of each carefully curated dram.

For a lighter, more refreshing take on holiday cheer, look no further than Grantley Hall's Yuletide Spritz. This effervescent Christmas cocktail combines the warmth of cinnamon syrup with the bright, citrusy notes of Cointreau and a splash of vodka, all topped off with crisp Champagne.

Ingredients

• 30ml cinnamon syrup
• 15ml vodka
• 15ml hazelnut tincture
• 15ml Cointreau
• Champagne

Method

1. Combine the cinnamon syrup, vodka, hazelnut tincture and Cointreau into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously until combined.
2. Strain into a flute glass and top with Champagne.

Enjoy the Yuletide Spritz in The Orchard, Grantley Hall’s indoor-to-outdoor dining space, currently transformed into an alpine-themed Après bar for the festive period. Step into a cosy alpine retreat, where enchanting décor will whisk you straight to the snowy slopes.

For those seeking a post-dinner pick-me-up with a Christmas twist, the Gingerbread Espresso Martini from Talbooth House is sure to delight. This indulgent Christmas cocktail combines the rich, comforting flavours of gingerbread with the bold, aromatic notes of freshly brewed espresso.

Ingredients

• 25ml Baileys
• 25ml Vodka
• 25ml Kahlua
• 25ml Espresso
• 5ml Gingerbread syrup
• 3 Coffee beans
• ½ tsp Chocolate dusting

Method

1. In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the Baileys, vodka, kahlua, espresso & gingerbread syrup and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
2. Pour into the martini glass.
3. To decorate, sprinkle half with chocolate dusting and garnish with three coffee beans in the centre of the glass.

Enjoy this indulgent cocktail at Jack's Bar, the focal point of Talbooth House. Designed by the owner's son, this is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing evening drink, an after-spa cocktail, or cheeky nightcap.

For a sophisticated and warming Christmas cocktail recipe, look no further than Cromlix's Winter Spiced Old Fashioned. Featuring a homemade orange spiced caramel sugar syrup, this reimagined classic cocktail celebrates the rich, comforting flavours of the season.

Ingredients

For the Orange Spiced Caramel Sugar Syrup:

• 500g sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 20g fresh ginger root
• 5 cardamom pods
• 1 orange zest
• 500ml water

For the cocktail:

• 50ml bourbon
• 15ml orange spiced caramel sugar syrup

Method

For the Orange Spiced Caramel Sugar Syrup:

1. Add half of your sugar into a large pan and place on the hob over a low heat until caramelised.
2. Add in the cinnamon stick, nutmeg, ginger root, cardamom and orange zest and gently stir.
3. Add the other half of the sugar and 500ml of water, and heat slowly until all the sugar has dissolved and the syrup has reached a thicker consistency.
4. Leave to cool and strain before decanting into a bottle. Refrigerate any leftover syrup in a sealed container for up to a week.

For the cocktail:

1. Add 15-25ml of Orange Spiced Caramel Syrup (depending on preference) and 50ml of bourbon.
2. Stir well over ice to get to a nice level of dilution then pour into your serving glass over ice.

Sip on this decadent cocktail at The Bar at Cromlix - think rich jewel tones, sumptuous velvet seating, and carefully curated artwork that demands a second look. Soak in the ambient lighting and gentle buzz that creates the perfect atmosphere for savouring this seasonal serve.