Seasonal Sips: Holiday Drinks to Pair With Your Festive Feast
Nothing spreads holiday cheer like clinking glasses! Everyone has their preferences – from mulled wine and buttered rum traditionalists to those churning out colorfully blended mistletoe margaritas. No judgment here!
But you might be on the hunt for seasonal holiday drinks that are not only fun, festive, and delicious but also pair well with the party you’re hosting and the feast you’re serving. That part is easier said than done, but we’re here to help – with drink ideas, holiday meal delivery, and time-saving tips to help your holiday more and hassle less.
Read on to discover our five picks for crowd-pleasing cocktails and mocktails that won’t clash with your savory spread.
1. Mulled Apple Cider
Of all the seasonal holiday drinks, this is one of our most nostalgic favorites. Warm and seasonally spiced non-alcoholic apple cider is loved by kids and adults alike, and with hints of orange peel and ginger, our version is sure to warm anyone up after a snow day. It also pairs well with classic, savory dishes like our Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and Creamed Spinach – sounds like any kid’s dream holiday feast!
Plus, it’s easy to make in batches and doesn’t require many ingredients, so it can be an easy drink to bring along for your holiday getaway. And if you want to make a spiked version for the adults, a dash or two of dark rum in the glass always goes down a treat.
8 cups unpasteurized apple cider
A 3-inch cinnamon stick
10 whole cloves
1 navel orange, peeled and sliced crosswise
A 2-inch piece of peeled fresh ginger, cut into 6 slices (optional)
In a large saucepan, combine the cider, the cinnamon stick, the cloves, the orange, and the ginger, and simmer the mixture for 20 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a heat-proof pitcher and serve the mulled cider warm.
2. The Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour
Cranberry is a timeless winter ingredient – slightly sweet, slightly tart. It excels at pairing with hearty dishes like Gobble’s Holiday Prime Rib Roast, without overpowering the subtle flavors and aromas of herbaceous sides like our Rosemary & Gruyère Biscuits. This holiday spin on a whiskey sour has touches of warm spice from the whiskey and ginger beer but keeps a tart, refreshing edge thanks to the citrus and berries, making for a perfectly balanced seasonal holiday drink.
Ice
1/2 c. cranberry juice
4 oz. whiskey
1/4 c. simple syrup
1/4 c. freshly squeezed orange juice
Juice of 1 lime
4 oz. ginger beer
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add cranberry juice, whiskey, simple syrup, orange, and lime juice. Shake until well chilled. Fill two glasses with ice and strain mixture into glasses. Top off with ginger beer to serve.
3. The Hot White Russian
Looking to warm your guests’ spirits? Make holiday hosting easier than ever, thanks to this batch-style cocktail with easy-to-find ingredients and just a single step of prep! Our warmed-up version of a White Russian is a great drink anytime, but it’s especially nice as a boozy substitute for your after-dinner coffee service. Pair it with our Warm Chocolate Lava Cakes with Cherry and Orange Compote for a rich, decadent, and satisfying finish to your festive feast.
2 1/2 cups freshly brewed coffee
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Kahlúa or other coffee-flavored liqueur to taste
1/4 cup vodka, to taste
whipped heavy cream for garnish, if desired
In a saucepan, stir together the coffee, the 1/2 cup cream, the Kahlúa, and the vodka, and heat the mixture over moderate heat until it is hot. Divide the mixture among heated mugs and garnish each drink with some of the whipped cream.
4. The Prosecco Mint Julep
Hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner? Skip the boring champagne, but keep the bubbles with this Prosecco’d-up version of a mint julep. Featuring a touch of green (for good luck in the new year!), dry, bubbly Prosecco (or cava), and plenty of minty flavor to balance the rich, caramelized notes of bourbon whiskey, the result is slightly sweet and pleasantly complex. That makes it a worthy complement to your savory spread, pairing nicely with roasted meats and savory dishes like our Holiday Prime Rib with Roasted Root Vegetables.
6 mint leaves, plus more for serving
3/4 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. Bourbon
Crushed ice
3 oz. dry prosecco
1 dash of Angostura bitters
In a mint julep cup or highball glass, muddle mint leaves and simple syrup with a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon handle until the mint is dark green and has lost its shape. Add bourbon, then ice, prosecco, and bitters, and gently stir to combine. Garnish with more mint.
5. The Sparkler Mocktail
Perfect for a fresh start to the New Year, this effervescent mocktail features notes of fragrant herbs, a spritz of lemon juice, and bubbly, refreshing sparkling grape juice for a zero-proof champagne toasting experience. Light and balanced enough to work with just about every dish on your holiday menu, it’s a mocktail that won’t leave anyone with festive FOMO.
½ ounce nonalcoholic gin OR ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup
½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Ice
Sparkling white grape juice to top off
Thyme sprig and raspberry for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic gin, and lemon juice, and shake to chill. Strain into a chilled champagne flute and top off with sparkling white grape juice. Garnish with raspberry and a thyme sprig.
Spread Some Extra Cheer With These Seasonal Holiday Drinks
Seasonal holiday drinks are a great way to spice up the celebratory season and make great memories with your loved ones. Here at Gobble, we know this time of year is special for so many, but it can also be stressful – between planning gatherings, stocking up on ingredients, and all that work in the kitchen to make it happen… it’s not always a vacation for the hosts!
So, if you want to spend less time stressing and more time celebrating with your favorite people (and toasting with a glass or three of the above), consider inviting Gobble into your kitchen. Our Holiday Dinner Box includes easy-to-follow recipe cards and all the prepped and portioned ingredients you’ll need for a gourmet feast. You’ll still put the dishes together and serve up a homecooked meal, but we’ll save you the menu planning, grocery trips, and tiresome prep work to make sure you’re only enjoying your favorite parts of holiday cooking.
Boxes are available for delivery between December 19-22, as well as between December 26-29, so be sure to select the delivery window that fits your feasting schedule! Explore everything inside Gobble’s holiday boxes and place your order today – we’ll be your favorite guest, guaranteed.
