3 Festive Holiday Cocktails

3 Festive Holiday Cocktails Image via http://thecookierookie.com Technically, these could just be called Blackberry Mimosas … but an Ombre Sparkler sounds so much more festive. The ombre effect is super easy to achieve, and the swig of rosemary is the perfect compliment. Try out this delicious recipe via thecookierookie.com. Ingredients •1 cup fresh blackberries •1 cup sugar •1 cup water •4 sprigs fresh rosemary •1 bottle champagne Instructions 1. In a small saucepan, combine blackberries, sugar and water. Bring to a boil on high heat, and then reduce to a simmer and let cook for approximately 15-17 minutes. The blackberries will become soft and bright in color and a pinkish purple syrup will form. 2. Take off of the heat and drain the blackberries, keeping the syrup in a separate bowl. Set both aside and allow to cool. 3. Once blackberries and simple syrup are cooled, spoon about 4 tablespoons of syrup into the bottom of each champagne flute. 4. Top with champagne. 5. Garnish with fresh blackberries or the cooked blackberries, and a sprig of rosemary. Hot Cider Nog Image via http://howsweeteats.com While this drink basically screams “Christmas,” it could also be a total showstopper for your post-Thanksgiving dinner cocktail hour. This drink is the ultimate cozy knit tacky holiday sweater in a mug, with a sweet creamy texture and a spicy cidery kick at the end. You can even serve it in a copper mug if you want to make your nog extra trendy! Check out this delicious treat from howsweeteats.com. Ingredients •2 cups half and half • ½ cup milk •1 ¼ cups apple cider •2 large eggs • ½ cup sugar •2 tablespoons brown sugar • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (add more for garnish) • ¼ teaspoon salt • ½ cup bourbon •Whipped cream for topping •Cinnamon sticks •Apple slices Ingredients 1. Place the half and half, milk, cider, eggs, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large saucepan. 2. Heat over medium-low heat while stirring constantly for about 20 minutes, until the nog thickens and can coat the back of a wooden spoon. 3. Remove from heat but continue to whisk for a minute or two. 4. Stir in bourbon into the pot. 5. Pour in mugs and serve with some whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, apple slices and a dash of nutmeg. 6. Serve and celebrate! The Jack Frost-Tini Image via http://theblondcook.com Want to transport yourself to a tropical island for the holidays? Well this drink can (almost) take you there, while filling you with some holiday cheer. Keep Jack Frost from nippin’ at your nose and add this delicious drink to your Thanksgiving menu, or maybe just for a festive December evening. Try out this amazing libation by theblondcook.com. Ingredients •Light corn syrup for rimming glass (optional) •Coconut flakes for rimming glass (optional) •Ice •1 cup pineapple juice • ½ cup blue curacao • ½ cup vodka • ½ cup cream of coconut Instructions 1. Rim the glasses: pour a thin layer of corn syrup onto a plate; dip the rim in syrup and then into a bowl full of coconut flakes. 2. Fill shaker with ice, shake the vodka, pineapple juice, cream of coconut and blue curacao and strain into glass. 3. Serve immediately and happy mixin’!