Christmas Party Cocktail Recipes

Here are the recipes for the specialty cocktails we served at our Christmas party. They all seemed popular with our guests.

Poinsettia Punch
Adapted from a recipe by Frank Cisneros, Gin Palace in NYC

1 1/2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup
1/2 oz Grenadine
1 tsp. St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Shake with ice, then strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Spiced Pear Margarita
Adapted from a recipe by Piero Rodriguez, Zengo in Washington, DC

3/4 oz Reposado Tequila
3/4 oz Pear Liqueur
1 1/2 Spiced Pear Puree
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Shake with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a pear slice.

Spiced Pear Puree

2 whole pears peeled and diced
1 quart of water
Cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to taste

Place all ingredients in a pan and bring to a boil and allow to cook for 5 minutes. Blend all ingredients and strain. Cool before use.

Grand Cherry Tiki
Adapted from a recipe by Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru 

1 1/2 oz Grand Marnier Cherry
3/4 oz Lime
3/4 oz Orgeat
1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
2 Dashes Angostura or Tiki  Bitters

Shake with ice, then strain into an ice-filled double old-fashioned glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and a maraschino cherry.

Maui Mai Tai

1 1/2 oz Gold Rum
1/2 oz Orange Curaçao
3/4 oz Orgeat 
3/4 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Lime Juice

Shake with crushed ice, then pour (unstrained) into a double old-fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.