Cocktails for the holidays

Family Features

Eggnog Martini and Maple Amaretto Sour are two holiday cocktails that could easily be found on a festive bar menu. However, you can make them yourself in the comfort of your own home. Dazzle guests with an easy, simple trick: extracts.

A simple drop of an extract – peppermint, maple, rum or almond – can transform a holiday cocktail or warm drink into a truly special experience. Add rum extract and nutmeg to white chocolate liqueur and cream for an Eggnog Martini. Or try a few drops of maple extract with coffee, whiskey and half and half for a festive Irish Coffee.

Chocolate Coconut Martini

A dusting of delicious coconut and rich chocolate syrup makes for a drink that’s a dessert and cocktail in one. Coconut extract takes the decadent flavor to the next level.

Prep time: 2 minutes

Ingredients: 4

Servings: 1

3/4 cup half-and-half

2 ounces vodka

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

1/4 teaspoon Coconut Extract

Fill cocktail shaker two-thirds full with ice. Add all ingredients; shake until well mixed and chilled.

Strain into a martini glass. Serve immediately.

Eggnog Martini

There’s no taste that says “holiday” quite like eggnog. Swap the actual rum or bourbon for rum extract then mix with white chocolate liqueur and cream for a less alcoholic version. Top with snowy whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 4

Servings: 1

4ounces light cream

2ounces white chocolate liqueur

1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg, ground

1/4 teaspoon Rum Extract

Fill cocktail shaker two-thirds full with ice. Add cream, white chocolate liqueur, nutmeg and rum flavor; shake until well mixed and chilled.

Strain into a martini glass. Serve immediately.

Maple Amaretto Sour

Give the sweet-tart Amaretto Sour - made with amaretto, simple syrup and lemon juice - the seasonal treatment with warming maple extract.

Prep time: 2 minutes

Ingredients: 4

Servings: 1

1/4 cup amaretto

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon simple syrup

3/4 teaspoon Maple Extract

Fill cocktail shaker two-thirds full with ice. Add all ingredients; shake until well mixed and chilled.

Strain into a martini glass. Serve immediately.

Almond Ale Shandy

This nutty riff on a shandy calls for almond extract, which joins pale ale and cilantro in this lemony, fizzy drink. For a non-alcoholic version, just replace the beer with micro-brewed ginger ale.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 7

Servings: 1

2/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

2 cups ice cubes

1 teaspoon Pure Almond Extract

2 cups seltzer water

1 bottle (12 ounces) pale ale

Mix sugar and cilantro in 2-quart pitcher with wooden spoon until cilantro is crushed. Add lemon juice, ice and extract; stir until most of the sugar is dissolved.

Stir in seltzer and ale; mix well. Pour into beverage glasses. Serve immediately.

Peppermint Martini

The crisp bite of peppermint extract and the smooth sweetness of white chocolate liqueur unite in this quintessential winter martini. Be sure to use colorful mints for a candy-dipped rim that’s both pretty and tasty.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 5

Servings: 2

Crushed peppermint candies

4 ounces white chocolate liqueur

2 ounces half-and-half

2 ounces vanilla vodka

1/4 teaspoon Pure Peppermint Extract

Dip rim of martini glasses with crushed peppermint candies to lightly coat.

Fill cocktail shaker two-thirds full with ice. Add white chocolate liqueur, half-and-half, vanilla vodka and peppermint extract; shake until well mixed and chilled. Strain into martini glasses. Serve immediately.

MAPLE IRISH COFFEE

For a seasonal twist on Irish coffee, add a few drops of maple extract. It brings authentic maple flavor to this warm favorite when combined with hot coffee and whiskey.

Prep time: 2 minutes

Ingredients: 5

Servings: 1

1/2cup hot coffee

2 teaspoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons whiskey

1 tablespoon half-and-half

1 teaspoon Maple Extract

Stir coffee and brown sugar in mug.

Add whiskey, half-and-half and extract; mix well. Serve warm. Top with whipped cream and maple sugar, if desired.