8 Cocktails To Serve At Your Upcoming Holiday Festivities

Happy #humpday guys! Wow, can you believe there are only 4 short days until Christmas and only 11 days left in 2017? The most wonderful time of the year is coming to a close, but that doesn't mean that there still aren't a million and one things to do. The finishing touches --ribbons, bows, and Christmas wrapping paper-- are being hastily applied to those last-minute Christmas gifts, guest lists are being finalized for the annual family dinner, final preparations are being made on the dinner menu. And then there's the little issue of your special "signature drink" for all of your adult guests!  This detail is by no means required (a few different beer and wine selections are what passes at most of my family's dinner), but if you are the lucky one tasked with hosting the family Christmas dinner this year the little extra effort and creativity will earn you hostess bonus points. And who doesn't like to brag at family gatherings?

For me, Christmas is the biggest time for catching up with family and sharing in the joy and gratitude of one another's company, and so it's only fitting to have a festive libation to accompany the celebration! Don't have any idea what sort of drink to serve and don't have time to do research and poll everyone given the dozens of other tasks you need to finish before Christmas day? Have no fear! I've got you, because below I've rounded up 8 holiday cocktails perfect for your upcoming Christmas parties! The best part is that most of these recipes can also be filed away for your New Year's get-togethers as well (so buy extra bubbly while you're shopping!). 

SNOW BUNNY

Think of adult cookies and milk when you mix up this holiday cocktail. The sweet, creamy drink is sort of like a Kahlua and cream without the soda, and it's sure to delight your guests' inner child. When paired with sugar cookies it is the perfect follow-up to dinner (in addition to grandpa's famous homemade pies, of course).

Get the recipe at Sarah Sherman Samuels.

HOLIDAY CHAMPAGNE PUNCH

Punch bowls are always a hit at parties, and they are also the simplest to execute. All you need to do is mix a large bowl or pitcher of it before guests arrive, set out some pretty disposable cups or glassware if you're extra fancy, and allow everyone to serve themselves! Make this champagne and cranberry punch even more festive by preparing cranberry and rosemary ice cubes the night before.

Get the recipe at Designlovefest.

SPARKLING PEAR ROSEMARY COCKTAIL

Treat your guests to a delicious sparkling wine-based drink flavored with pear juice, a rosemary simple syrup, and garnished with cranberries (because of course). The syrup can be made in a large batch the day before so that all you have to do day-of is pour all the ingredients into glasses. You could even set up a holiday cocktail assembly station so friends and family can prepare their own drinks. 

Get the recipe at Lauren Conrad.

SPARKLING PEAR APPLE CIDER SANGRIA

Nothing quite captures the mood of a festive get together like some good old-fashioned bubbly, in my opinion. If you're anything like my family, then you might also break out some sparkling cider for special occasions. Up the ante this year with a sparkling cider sangria, complete with fresh fruit, rosé, champagne, and cognac for added flavor. Just like a punch bowl, it's easy to mix together in advance when you have time and allow your guests to serve themselves (just keep in mind that sangria, unlike punch, will take at least a few hours if not overnight to really soak in all the flavor).

Get the recipe at Lauren Conrad. 

A FESTIVE AMARO COCKTAIL

If you feel up to doing a little bartending (or if you have a cousin or significant other known for making good drinks that you can force the task onto), then this shaken drink contains the perfect mix of festive flavors. Cranberry, orange, and sweet sugar flavors will make this a drink your family will request in the future, not to mention it's a beautiful deep marsala wine color. 

Get the recipe on Jojotastic. 

SALTED CARAMEL SPIKED HOT CHOCOLATE

Adult hot chocolate, anyone? This is a simple, classic warm drink with a twist that you can serve after dinner or while opening presents (or anytime, really, because adults can drink hot chocolate whenever they want). Just don't forget to make a kid-friendly version to share as well. Trust me, you don't want that kind of drama.

Get the recipe over on Lauren Conrad. 

THE HOLIDAY COSMO

This drink will be best-suited for a smaller get-together with friends or immediate family as there is a bit more prep involved. Make the mulled spice cranberry juice in advance and keep your cocktail shaker at the ready, because this festive cosmo will have your guests calling for a second round (or fourth?).

Get the recipe on Sarah Sherman Samuel. 

THE WHISKEY ROSE

With a drink as pretty as it sound, how could you go wrong with this sparkling apple cocktail? Out of everything on this list, this drink is definitely on my short list of drinks to serve at a proper party! It's a scrumptious blend of rye whiskey, rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice, and apple soda (such as Izze). Yum! Pour me one stat.

Get the recipe on Anne Sage. 

So what about you guys, are you all prepared for Christmas? What are some of your favorite drinks to serve at family get-togethers? Let me know in the comments below, I love to hear about other people's holiday traditions.