All of these recipes are made to serve two, but you can adjust the recipes depending on how boozy you want the coming festivities to be. From slightly tipsy to outright sloshed, here are nine deliciously impressive Christmas cocktails you need to try out this year. 

1. Gin Fizz 

This bubbly drink is the perfect choice for anyone who loves smooth drinks. 

Ingredients 

• 60ml Gin
• 30ml Lemon Juice
• 20ml Syrup of choice
• 1 egg white 
• Carbonated Water 

Method 

Add gin, lemon juice, syrup and egg white to a shaker and vigorously shake for around 10 seconds. Add 3-4 ice cubes and shake well until chilled. 

Double strain into a chilled glass and top off with carbonated water. 

2. Buck's Fizz 

This all-time classic is every grandma's favourite Christmas drink. Treat her to a soused welcome with this lordly drink. You can also serve this drink for brunch. 

Ingredients

• 100ml Orange Juice 
• 200ml Chilled Champagne

Method 

Pour the orange juice into glass and top off with champagne. 

3. Mulled Wine

This Mulled Wine recipe will yield around six servings and will take only 15 minutes of your time to whip up. 

Ingredients

• 1 Bottle Red Wine
• 1 Orange cut into slices
• 6 Whole Cloves
• 3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 3 Star Anise 
• 4 tbsp Honey
• Pinch of Nutmeg
• ¾  cup Brandy 
• Rosemary Sprig (to garnish) 

Method

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently for 10 minutes. 

Garnish with orange and rosemary, serve warm. 

4. Eggnog

Sweet, creamy, comforting and boozy. Love the sound of it? Try this total winner of a recipe for eggnog below. This recipe yields six servings. 

Ingredients 

• 6 Egg Yolks
• ½ cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 2 cups Milk
• ⅔  cup Brandy
• ½ cup Cognac or Bourbon
• 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg
• Pinch Salt
• ¼ tsp Vanilla Extract
• Ground Cinnamon 

Method 

Whisk eggs and sugar until creamy and light.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, cream, salt and nutmeg. Stir till simmering. Add some of the milk to the egg and sugar mixture, whisk vigorously. Repeat, adding a big spoonful at a time to temper the eggs. Once almost all the milk is added, pour the egg mixture into the saucepan.

Whisk constantly until the mixture is slightly thickened. Pour eggnog into a large container, add brandy and cognac, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate till chilled. 

Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon and whipped cream. 

5. Hot Toddy 

The hot toddy is the perfect after-dinner drink on cold winter nights. Whether you are looking to nurse a sore throat or just to enjoy a comforting nightcap, this drink is a lovely choice. 

Ingredients 

• ¾ cup water
• ½ cup whiskey
• 3 tsp carob syrup
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick 

Method 

Simmer water in a teapot or saucepan. Pour into mug. Add whiskey, carob syrup and lemon. Stir until syrup dissolves. Add more syrup for extra sweetness or additional lemon for a zestier taste. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. 

6. Mudslide 

If you're a milkshake fan or a Baileys lover, this creamy and sugary drink will surely become your favourite in no time.

Ingredients 

• 30ml Vodka
• 30ml Coffee Liqueur
• 30ml Baileys Irish Cream
• 45ml Heavy Cream
• Chocolate Shavings

Method

Add all wet ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake until chilled. Strain into chilled glasses and garnish with chocolate shavings. 

7. Nutmeg Spiced Coffee

This after-dinner treat is the perfect digestive. It can also make a great morning coffee substitute if you're an early drinker. 

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp Ground Coffee 
• 1 Small Cinnamon Stick
• Pinch Ground Nutmeg
• 2 Cloves
• Dash of Anisette Liqueur
• Orange Zest

Method

Grind the coffee, cinnamon stick, nutmeg and cloves. Brew in a Moka pot or a coffee press machine. Add anisette liqueur to your liking and a sprinkle of orange zest to garnish.

8. White Margaritas 

Everyone loves margaritas, and what will taste better than Christmas themed one this season? This recipe serves just two margaritas, so feel free to adjust or double up on the ingredients for extra drinks.

Ingredients 

• Sugar (for the rim) 
• 1 Lemon Wedge
• 120ml Tequila
• 60ml Coconut Milk
• 30ml Triple Sec
• 30ml Fresh Blood Orange Juice
• 30ml Pineapple Juice
• Orange rind for garnish
• Candied Orange Peel (optional)

Method

Wipe the lemon wedge around your glasses to wet the rim. Roll the glass' rim in a dish filled with sugar. In a cocktail shaker, pour the tequila, coconut milk, triple sec, orange juice and pineapple juice. Shake well. Strain into the two glasses and garnish with orange rind and candied orange peel. Alternatively, you can garnish this drink using cherries or other seasonal berries.

9. White Russian

This staple cocktail is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for a range of settings. From Christmas gatherings to Easter lunches, you can whip up a White Russian in no time. You can also change the recipe variations and experiment with different liqueurs to create your own version. 

Ingredients

• 60ml Vodka 
• 60ml Kahlua
• 60ml Heavy Cream

Method 

Pour Kahlua and vodka into a glass over ice and top off with heavy cream. If you would like an extra kick with this classic cocktail, you can add a shot of espresso. 

Are you planning on trying out any of these recipes this Christmas? Click here for a list of spirits retailers in Malta & Gozo