On the Ninth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 9 Drinks a Flowing, 8 Films a Watching, 7 Spirits Stirring, 6 Movies Playing, 5 Cocktail Rings, 4 Christmas Songs, 3 Drunk Friends, 2 Turkey Legs, and a Holiday Martini! Start a new tradition and pay homage to your favorite Christmas movie characters by pairing some of your favorite holiday classics with festive blended drinks and yuletide on the rocks cocktails (cocktail recipes included). These pairings are perfect for a holiday party or a cozy movie marathon at home. Cheers and Happy Holidays!
A Christmas Story
There’s a reason why TBS and TNT play this feel-good Christmas movie on repeat every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For 24 hours straight, you can watch as Ralphie recalls a Christmas from his past that will make you laugh, and leave you warm and fuzzy.
Spiked Hot Chocolate by The Modern Proper
- Bourbon
- Frangelico
- Irish Cream
- Chopped Chocolate
- Marshmallows and whipped cream
- Instructions: Warm together a mix of milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Stir in chopped chocolate until smooth. Stir in bourbon, Frangelico, and Irish Cream. Sprinkle with marshmallows or a swirl of whipped cream. * If you do not want to make your own chocolate mix, use a cup of pre-bought powdered hot cocoa mix.
Die Hard
I know what you’re thinking, “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” The answer is yes, and it may be one of the best Christmas movies of all time! New York cop Bruce Willis is in LA to see his family for the holidays. The trip takes an action-packed turn when terrorists hijack the holiday party he and his wife (Holly) are attending.
Spiced Holly Highball (courtesy of The Cocktail Project)
- 1 1/2 parts Dark Rum
- 5 Cranberries
- 3/4 Tsp. pumpkin Spice
- 1 Tsp. agave syrup
- Ice
- Handful fresh mint
- Instructions: Muddle the cranberries, mint, pumpkin spice, and agave. Add rum and shake well. Strain over ice into a highball glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with mint and three cranberries.
Elf
Will Ferrell is spot-on as one of my favorite Christmas movie characters, Buddy, the loveable Elf. Watch as Buddy leaves the North Pole in search of his father, spreading Christmas cheer and laughter to all he encounters.
Warm Winter Rum Punch
- Apple cider
- Cranberry juice
- Fresh cranberries
- Pomegranate seeds
- Orange, thickly sliced
- Cinnamon stick
- Dash of ground clove
- Dash of ground nutmeg
- Dash of ground cinnamon
- Rum
- Instructions: In a pot, pour a 2:1 ratio of cider to cranberry juice to the desired serving quantity (for example, for 4 servings, use 4 cups cider and 2 cups cranberry juice). Add a few generous handfuls of cranberries and pomegranate seeds before adding 3 cinnamon sticks. Gently squeeze the orange slices into the mixture before putting them into the pot. Sprinkle in the spices. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 10 minutes. Pour a couple ounces of the liquor into the mug, making sure you get a little bit of all the fruit into the glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Home Alone
Before Catherine O’Hara gave us Moira Rose, she was the mom in this hilarious comedy. Throw in Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern and you have pure comedy gold.
Somewhere in My Memory Snow Globe Cocktail (courtesy of @Cheesegal)
- Rosemary Sprig
- Fresh cranberries
- Water
- Sparkling wine/Champagne
- Instructions: Fill the bottom of your cocktail glass with cranberries, then add your rosemary sprig. Pour in enough water to cover the bottom of the glass, then set into the freezer! When it’s all frozen, pour in sparkling wine or champagne, and there you go!
Krampus (2015)
Folklore comes to life in this fun, fast-paced Christmas horror-comedy. Please note there are several different versions of this story, so PLEASE make sure you are watching the one starring Toni Collette and Adam Scott.
Chocolate Krampus
- 1 Shot vodka
- 1/2 Shot Peppermint Schnapps
- 2 Oz. cream
- Chocolate syrup
- Whipped cream
- Strawberry syrup
- Ice
- Instructions: Combine the vodka, schnapps, cream, and chocolate syrup in a cocktail shaker and give it a good long shake. Pour over ice in a festive mug. Top with whipped cream and blood-red strawberry syrup.
The Long Kiss Goodnight
Amnesia meets mayhem! Geena Davis plays Charly Baltimore, a suburban mom harboring a deadly past. With the help of private investigator Samuel L. Jackson, she uncovers her forgotten assassin identity in this thrilling Christmas-themed action romp.
Holiday Old Fashioned (courtesy of little Bits of REAL FOOD)
- 2 tsp. maple syrup
- 2 tsp. water
- 1 Sprig rosemary
- 2 Shots of bourbon
- ½ Shot triple sec
- 4 Dashes of bitters
- Ice
- Rosemary to garnish
- Maraschino cherries
- Instructions: Combine in a cocktail shaker maple syrup, water, 1 sprig rosemary, bourbon, triple sec, and bitters. Muddle to combine. Put some ice in two glasses and strain the mixture evenly between both. Garnish each with a sprig of rosemary and cherries
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Chevy Chase leads an all-star hilarious cast in this holiday classic. Kudos if you can get through this movie without cracking up.
Aunt Bethany’s Jell-O Shot Surprise
- 1 Box red or green Jell-O mix
- 1 Cup boiling water
- 1/2 Cup vodka (or fruit juice for a mocktail version)
- 1/4 Cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/4 Cup chopped gumdrops
- Mini gummy bears or candy rings (optional)
- Instructions: Prepare Jell-O mix according to package instructions, using boiling water and vodka (or fruit juice). Stir in cranberries and gumdrops. Pour into small shot glasses or ramekins and let refrigerate until set. Before serving, gently press a mini gummy bear or candy ring into the center of each Jell-O shot to create a hidden surprise.
Scrooged
Only Bill Murray could pull off playing one of the most famous Christmas movie characters, Ebenezer Scrooge in this modern version of A Christmas Carol. Sit back and relax as you watch crotchety Murray as he is visited by spirits who teach him the true meaning of Christmas. Happy Holidays!
Ferrero Rocher Martini (courtesy of diycocktailguy)
- 2 Ferrero Rocher or Hazelnut chocolates
- 1 Scoop of Chocolate Ice Cream
- 1 oz. Vodka
- 2 oz. Baileys
- Dash of chocolate sauce
- Chopped nuts
- Instructions: Blend all together and garnish with nuts and chocolate sauce around the rim.
Spirited
Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds are bringing the holiday cheer in this hilarious musical adventure that puts a modern spin on a classic Christmas tale.
The Botanist Crab Apple Collins (courtesy of The Botanist and Katie Smith)
- 2 Oz. The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
- 1 Oz. Green juice
- 1/2 Cup Parsley
- 1/3 Cup Celery
- 1/3 Cup Coriander
- 17 oz. Cloudy Apple Juice (for extra kick and to prevent wastage, add in some of the infused crab apples from your gin!)
- 1/2 Cup Caster Sugar
- 1 7/10 oz. Apple Cider Vinegar
- Soda water
- Ice
- Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain over ice into a Collins glass. Top with a splash of soda water. Garnish with a fanned apple slice.
Happy Holidays!
