Christmas cocktails to get you in the festive spirit

As families and friends prepare to meet for Christmas lunch on Sunday, you might want to add some new cocktails on your menu.
Be sure to try one of the following five cocktails which are sure to have everyone in high spirits:

1. Candy Cane Milkshake

This is the ideal Christmas drink for health fanatics, who want to enjoy the festive season and still keep in shape.

All you need to do is mix 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, one scoop of vanilla protein powder, two to three drops of peppermint, two or three packets of sweetner, one tablespoon of sugar free vanilla pudding mix, five ice cubes and 200 mills of cold water.

To give it the Christmas look, add a few drops of red food colouring for candy cane swirl.

2. Driver’s punch

This is the ideal drink for all the designated drivers. All you need is 100 grams of cranberries, 100 ml cranberry juice, 500ml blood orange juice, the juice of one lime, thin lime wedges, orange wedges, mint sprigs and 600ml sparkling apple juice.

To make the drink, you need to put the cranberries into a medium size, rigid freezer container, cover with water and freeze until solid. Then, mix the cranberry juice in a large jug (about 1.5 litre) with the orange and lime juices.

To serve, smash the sheet of frozen cranberries into shards and put in the bottom of eight highball glasses. Put a wedge of lime and orange and a mint sprig in each glass, then pour in the mixed fruit juices and top up with sparkling apple juice.

3. Salted caramel rum hot chocolate

While not your average cocktail, it is sure to leave you with warm feelings on Christmas Day.

To make this drink, you need 25ml dark rum, 2 teaspoons of thick caramel, 150ml whole mil and 50grams of chopped milk chocolate.

Mix the caramel and rum in a small bowl, until the mixture is smooth. Then warm the milk in a saucepan, until it simmers, remove the sausepan from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is melted. Put the pan back onto the heat source and add rum mixture and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

The final step is to pour it into a mug and enjoy.

4. Christmosas

This is an easy cocktail to make. Put apples, cranberries, grapes and pomegranate seeds into a large jug or punch bowl, before pouring sparkling grape juice and champagne over it.

5. Grapefruit-White wine Sparkler

This sweet tasting cocktail is ideal for toasts during a potentially hot Christmas Day.
Six lemon slices, four teaspoons of sugar, 1.4 fresh grapefruit juice, one bottle dry sparkling white wine and one cup of gin is required.

Mix the gin and sugar into a punch bowl or large jug and mix until the sugar disolves. Then, add the grapefruit juice and the bottle of sparkling wine, stir to combine the ingredients. To serve, fill the glasses with the mixture and ice, before garnishing the glass with the lemon slices.