Christmas Carol Cocktails (Recipes!)

Ever noticed how your favourite holiday tunes not only transcend time but can turn someone’s mood around with just a few notes?

This is why Canadian bartenders are using festive music to satisfy their guests! And now you can take this latest trend in holiday entertaining and use it at your own holiday celebrations thanks to one of Canada’s top bartenders, Billy Killin, who is sharing his favourite recipes paired to some classic holiday carols that anyone can create for one of the most festive evenings of entertaining!

Be sure to have these songs playing while you serve the drinks! —Vita Daily

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

This classic holiday carol means many things to many people but, to Billy, it meant an invitation to those who are important to us—so he created a punch that will serve a crowd, and allows the host to spend time with his/her guests, instead of in the kitchen.

3 cups Gin
2/3 cups Peach schnapps
1/8 cup Mezcal
1 1/4 cups Freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 1/2 cups Earl Grey Tea, steeped and cooled
1/2 tbsp Rose’s Grenadine
2 cups of Schweppes Ginger Ale

Add all ingredients to punch bowl, mix and serve and garnish with orange and lemon slices.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

A true Canadian boy, coming home for Christmas to Billy means classic Canadian food and drinks, so he created a twist on Canada’s cocktail, the Caesar, with a creative wreath made with green pepper and tomatoes for the perfect holiday garnish.

1 1/4 oz Rye whisky
1/4 oz Scotch whisky
1/4 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 dashes Hot sauce
4 oz Mott’s Clamato
Stuffed olives
Celery stalk

Rim a highball glass with citrus and rimmer (or celery salt). Fill the glass to the top with ice. Add the ingredients in order listed and stir well to mix. Garnish with a green pepper ring, cherry tomato and small Bocconcini ball.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

For the designated drivers, kids and pregnant women, Billy created a simple mocktail paired to his favourite reindeer, who always ensures Santa arrives safely.

3/4 cup Grapefruit Juice
1/4 cup Orange juice
1 cup Mr and Mrs T’s Margarita Mix
Sprig of Thyme

Add ice and all ingredients to a rocks glass, garnish with a sprig of Thyme and serve.