Certain states all over the country are locking down again, and the fever they’re concerned about isn’t from sitting in a cabin for too long. Here in Carlsbad, it looks like we won’t be leaving the house this holiday season. The silver lining? This means no need for a designated driver! To help us float through this holiday season like Santa’s reindeer, we figured a bit of custom cocktail inspiration–and responsible drinking–was in order.
Typically, the drinks we offer at our events through Personal Touch Dining are Spring or Summer themed since our event season ends mid-November. We get rave reviews over their Grapefruit Mojito, and they even offer “Logo Cocktails” now! These are the newest way to send a message while delighting your impressed guests! Imagine each of these holiday drinks with your signature logo on top for the perfect viral social media post. Make your friends Grinchy-green with envy over your immaculate custom cocktail presentation this season!
If you’re like us, we’re looking to take the nostalgia of a perfect Leo Carrillo Christmas and mix in a little extra fun. Using just four ingredients, we came up with three different fun craft cocktails anybody can make from home. We included one with champagne to reflect the glitz and glamor of Leo Carrillo’s Hollywood history, one with Tequila (because Margaritas are a “must-have” at our Ranch), and one with Vodka as a crowd-pleaser! Check out these fun recipes below!
The “Christmas Light”
It’s a cranberry champagne cocktail (so you can call it that if you prefer!) With the sparkling wine, bright red cranberry, and the warming glow of orange liqueur, this tasty drink will be sure to light you up!
1/2 oz Cointreau (or another orange liqueur)
100% Cranberry Juice (None of that “juice cocktail” nonsense.)
Champagne
That’s it! Much like a mimosa, the juice-to-champagne ratios are determined according to taste, so experiment with the portions to see where on the spectrum you fall. Of course, what completes the presentation is the garnish. All you’ll need is a few rosemary branches and some fresh whole cranberries to happily float in the bubbles.
The “Mrs. Claus-mo”
Not a fan of Champagne? Try a Mrs. Claus-mo!
1 oz Vodka
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz Cointreau (or another orange liqueur)
1 oz 100% Cranberry Juice
Essentially, we swapped the bubbles from the previous drink with vodka and added lime for this classic favorite. For the best result, start by rimming a martini glass with sugar for that frosty effect! In a shaker, pour in all the ingredients over ice and shake. Strain into the prepared martini glass, and garnish with a few cranberries or a lime wheel for that elevated look!
Christmas Margarita
We’re pretty sure not including a Margarita on this list would get us run over by a reindeer, so here it is! This Christmas margarita is a spin-off on the classic. We’ve kept all the traditional ingredients and added 100% cranberry juice. Because it’s unsweetened and very tart, suggest a sugared rim, instead of salt, to balance things out. Here’s what you’ll need to make a Christmas margarita:
2 oz 100% Cranberry Juice
1 oz Tequila (use Blanco or Reposado)
1/2 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz Fresh lime juice
Start by rimming the glass in sugar and fill with ice. In a shaker, pour in all the ingredients over ice and shake. Strain into the prepared glass, and garnish with a few cranberries and a squeeze of fresh lime!
We hope you enjoy these four-ingredient holiday craft cocktails!
All we ask is that you enjoy these drinks responsibly and remember to share the love, not our germs, this holiday season!
