It’s hard to think of celebrating without a bit of holiday cheer – ahem, booze. Whether you’re hosting, attending as a plus one to your SO’s work party, or making an obligatory appearance at your auntie’s annual gathering, alcohol is often the common conversation starter.
There’s no denying the holidays are synonymous with a seemingly endless flow of libations and feasts, complete with the usual suspects: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, apple pie, and sugar cookies.
What To Make For Friendmas Or New Year’s Eve Dinner
Party trends, mood and the drinks to match
While many Canadians are tightening budgets and limiting how much alcohol they consume, they’re still finding ways to embrace festive fun – cue the cocktails! Whether it’s experimenting with non-alcoholic mixes or indulging in trendy spirits like tequila, cozy and relaxed celebrations remain a favourite during the holiday season. After all, the holidays are perfect for staying in with good food, close friends, and a drink that makes you smile.
Did you know that searches for “dinner party aesthetic” have more than doubled in the past year on Pinterest. In the recent 2025 Pinterest Predicts report, the following searches are up:
- Dinner table aesthetic+55%
- Pickle Margarita + 100%
- Cherry Martini +80%
- Rococo Party + 140%
Read on for three festive cocktail recipes (including a mocktail version) to satiate your festive cravings.
Festive Sparkling Mocktail
Henkell’s alcohol-free bubbly gives all the sensorial attributes of sparkling wine. Feel free to use regular Prosecco if you want a bit of a buzz.
Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients
- 100 ml alcohol-free sparkling wine (Try Henkell Alcohol-Free.)
- A handful of ice cubes
- 2 star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange slice
- 60 ml dry ginger ale
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add non-alcoholic sparkling wine and ginger ale
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with star anise, cinnamon sticks, and an orange slice.
Mulled Signature Red Hot Chocolate
Hot cocoa, but better! The cocoa and spice aromas in Jackson-Triggs Reserve Signature Red VQA add up to the cinnamon and anise making this one of the best-mulled wines you’ve ever had.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Ingredients
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 star anise
- 8 to 10 cloves, depending on size
- ½ tsp dried ginger
- ⅔ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup cold water
- ½ cup soft brown sugar
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 bottle (750ml) red wine (Try Jackson-Triggs Reserve Signature Red VQA.)
- ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- Orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Add cocoa powder, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger, and chocolate chips to a large saucepan.
- Pour in the water, then add the sugar and orange slices.
- Heat on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved, then turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Pour in the red wine.
- Heat gently for another minute or two until warmed through.
Pomegranate Rosé Paloma
A light, festive cocktail full of seasonal fruit flavours. Add a clean and crisp sparkling wine such as Saintly The Good Sparkling Rosé to the mix for a simple yet elegant cocktail, perfect for the busy holiday season!
Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup pomegranate juice
- 3 ounces grapefruit soda
- 4 ounces sparkling rosé (Try Saintly The Good Sparkling Rosé.)
- Grapefruit wedge and mint
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Add pomegranate juice, grapefruit soda, and sparkling rosé.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with grapefruit wedge and mint.
Old Oak Fashion
Getting warm when it’s cold outside is easy when you sip an Old Fashion.
Ingredients
- ¼ oz brown sugar syrup (2:1)
- 2 oz bourbon (Try Angel’s Envy Triple Oak.)
- 1 dash angostura bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- For brown sugar syrup, add 2 parts brown sugar and 1 part hot water to a hot pan and stir to combine.
- Combine bourbon and bitters into a mixing glass, add ice and stir to chill and dilute.
- Strain over a large cube in rock glasses.
- Swipe orange peel along rim of glass and place on ice cubes for garnish.
- Serve and enjoy