With the first day of Christmas right around the corner, it's time to get our Santa hats on, hang some lights, and kick off the season with these five Christmas cocktails.
Now, it's no lie that the holidays are going to be different this year. With the ongoing pandemic, it may be hard to enjoy the season with your loved ones.
However, don't let that get your spirits down. Whether it's through a Zoom call or finding a way to be together, celebrate the jolly season with food, festivities and a whole lotta' fun.
Remember, it's always the most wonderful time for a beer– or in this case, a cocktail.
1. Buddy the Elf's Christmas Cocktail
Theo Crazzolara on Flickr
I'm in love! I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!
This Elf inspired drink, uploaded by Half Baked Harvest, is so pretty it should be on a Christmas card.
Like Buddy, this cocktail is all about Christmas and sugar, so much so that it is solely made out of maple syrup, vanilla extract, molasses, ground cinnamon, chocolate, ginger, candy canes, and most importantly, Kahlúa.
The best part? It will not give you a sugar-induced hangover.
Cue the smiling.
Top this drink off with a drizzle of chocolate syrup, some crushed peppermint candies, and take a trip through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest before heading down memory lane.
2. Cousin Eddie's Eggnog
Image from WikiCommons
"Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?" -Clark Griswold
I don't know about you, but National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has always been my family's favorite Christmas movie, and this year we've needed it more than ever.
Between Hawaiian fantasies, Dickie's turtlenecks, and Christmas lights galore, I have seen this movie at least 42 times (twice a year since I was born).
However, I have never had the opportunity to make Cousin Eddie's Extra Boozy Eggnog. But now that I'm 21 that's definitely going to change.
For this recipe, uploaded by Delish, you will need eggs, sugar, salt, milk, vanilla extract, Cool Whip, spiced rum, bourbon and ground nutmeg.
Remember to buy a moose glass from Target and check your Christmas tree for rogue squirrels.
3. Home Alone: "Les Incompétents"
John-Morgan on Flickr
Besides the ensuing pandemic and social distancing orders, what pairs with staying home alone more than the movie Home Alone?
A drink that will make you what the French call 'Les Incompétents', that's what.
Yes, there's nothing better than a heartwarming tale of parental negligence, intrusive barbarity, and a French beverage to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
Inspired by the Home Alone franchise, this drink is just as classy as it is strong, with hints of vanilla, spice and French oak. Needless to say, it will leave you totally "incompétents" by the second movie.
To make this, you will need Courvoisier (or some type of cognac), Grand Marnier, sweet vermouth, and cranberries to garnish.
4. A Christmas Story: "Red Ryder Cocktail"
deepak_lj on Flickr
As Ralphie says in this Christmas classic, "only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window," and it's this Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle-inspired cocktail.
For me, A Christmas Story is one of the only Holiday movies that I will never get tired of for its witty narrator and timeless quotes.
I mean, what's better than a story of copious amounts of bad luck, trial, error and accidental outburst of 4-letter-words?
To me, that just sounds like a detailed account of my college experience so far.
Nevertheless, this Red Ryder cocktail (which is college-budget friendly) will be the cherry on top the next time you watch this comedically-genius film.
For this beverage, you will need Triple Sec, cranberry juice, Moscato, and candy canes. Pair it with some of Ralphie's "Oh Fudge" bars on the side and enjoy!
5. The Grinch
anjalorenz on Flickr
Since 2002, Jim Carry's delivery of the Grinch has undoubtedly served us with some incredible one-liners and unforgettable moments. I mean, who could forget that sass and fashionista alter-ego?
However, despite his intuitive resentment towards the holiday, there's nothing that makes the heart grow fonder than the Grinch's very own beverage.
Yes, you read that right.
Although he can get away with stealing Whoville's twinkling lights and decorations, there's no way the Grinch can rob this beverage of its Christmas spirit(s).
For this Grinch inspired drink, you will need midori liqueur, clear rum or triple sec, lemon lime soda, and cherries.
Remember to drink responsibly!
FYI: USF students get an Uber discount. Check your university to see if other promo codes apply.