Cheesy Christmas movies are probably the best part of the holiday season. Curled up on the sofa with the heating cranked to 100, there’s surely no better way to get the festive feels going than a classic film from Christmases past. Actually, there is – your favourite Christmas movie paired with delicious festive cocktails.
So check out these five Hollywood-inspired cocktails, made with our new range of premium spirits, and prepare to get in the Christmas spirit.
It’s a Wonderful Life
A traditional festive staple since its release in 1946 and perhaps the ultimate Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life combines pure Christmas feels with vintage All American nostalgia. Compliment those feel-good good vibes with warming cinnamon, clove and nutmeg infused spiced rum, pure vanilla and fresh milk. Snowing out? Then why not try this recipe hot?
Recipe
60ml St Lucia Chairman’s
Reserve Spiced Rum
1 tsp syrup
100ml whole milk
A dash of vanilla extract
Cinnamon to garnish
1) Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and shake.
2) Fill an Old Fashioned glass and garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon.
The Grinch
Jim Carrey’s rendition of The Grinch entered the Christmas movie canon with is peculiar brand of festive cheer as soon after its release in 2000. Joining the ranks of more heart-warming classics, its a playful ode to Christmas grumps – we all have one of those in the family, don’t we? Infuse the Christmas spirit with a dash of Whoville with this fresh green tinted concoction.
Recipe
60ml Beluga Premium Vodka
60ml Midori
1 tsp syrup
A squeeze of lemon
Maraschino cherry to garnish
1) Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and shake.
2) Strain into a highball glass, garnish and enjoy.
Love, Actually
A masterpiece of British cinema, Love, Actually became an instant classic upon its release in 2003. Now an indispensable addition to Christmas programming for millions, for the Brits, an evening in front of the telly watching Love Actually is almost as satisfying as the big day itself. Pair with organic English Gin – a nod to the country’s love of the classic G&T – festive cranberry and aromatic thyme.
Recipe
60ml Dodd’s Kew Gin
60ml Cranberry juice
30ml Club Soda
1 tsp simple syrup
2 orange slices
Sprig of thyme
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas is the undisputed king of the anti-Christmas movies and probably the creepiest creation hailing from Tim Burton’s distorted universe. Jack Skellington’s plot to steal Christmas from Santa Claus isn’t quite as successful as this perfect pairing that offers bold flavours of dark rum, chocolate liqueur and espresso and a dash of charcoal for that Halloween Town spin.
Recipe
40ml Original Dark Plantation Rum
20ml crème de cacao
30ml espresso
Activated charcoal
1) Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with a pinch of activated charcoal, fill with ice and shake.
2) Strain into a Martini glass, serve and enjoy.
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ timeless novella A Christmas Carol has long captured hearts and minds on the big screen, with renditions ranging from Disney’s Mickey Mouse playing the staring role, to Bill Murray’s 80s hit Scrooged. Whichever version you champion, sip on a hot tipple spiked with premium bourbon and festive aromatics to evoke the ghosts of Christmas’ past in classic Ebenezer Scrooge style.
Recipe
60ml Kentucky Straight
Wild Turkey Bourbon
120ml hot water
2 tbsp honey
2-3 dried cloves (or to taste)
Lemon juice
Cinnamon stick
1) Add hot water, bourbon, honey and cloves in a mug and stir until combined.
2) Add a squeeze of lemon to taste and a cinnamon stick for garnish.
All the spirits above are available NOW for instant delivery on the BottlesXO app. Pick your movie, place your order and get cozy! Click here to download the app.
