Signature Winter Cocktail Recipes for Your Next Catered Event

When hosting a wintry event, the theme is EVERYTHING! Snowflakes here, garlands there, and maybe a shiny tree to bring it all together — but there’s one key aspect to any party that will thrill all your guests: a top-notch signature cocktail. Providing a signature cocktail or mocktail is one way to add a memorable touch to your celebration, and our skilled Chicago catering team is here to help bring your vision to life.

Read on as we share a festive curated list of wintry signature cocktails with a unique holiday twist that are sure to be a hit at your next catered event.

Want to learn more about how signature cocktails can take your event to the next level? Check out our previous blog post all about it!

Winter Signature Cocktail Recipes

Below, you’ll find a curated list of a few of our top “signature sips” for this holiday season. From a drink just for you to a pitcher for the group, try these delicious cocktail recipes at home and find your favorite. Which will you choose for your next catered holiday event?

1. Marshmallow Mule from Vinepair

Ashlie Hughes

Yield: 1

A rich mule originating from “Camp Cocktails” by Emily Vikre, this decadent cocktail is perfect for a cozy winter holiday party and surprising your guests with an inventive and festive drink. We personally recommend using whiskey if you’re looking for a richer heat balanced by the roasted marshmallow and vodka if you’re looking for something more sweet and smooth.

Ingredients for cocktail:

1 ½ ounces vodka (or whiskey or rum)
1 ½ ounces Marshmallow and Ginger Syrup (separate recipe below)
Soda Water
Lime Wedges
1 marshmallow, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a rock glass filled with ice, add the vodka and syrup
2. Top with soda water and gently stir (we used a cinnamon stick to stir to add bit of spice)
3. Squeeze in lime wedges to taste
4. Stick your garnish marshmallow onto a long toothpick
5. Light the marshmallow on fire, then blow it out, and garnish over the drink

Ingredients for Marshmallow & Ginger Syrup:

10 marshmallows
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
½ cup grated fresh ginger

Directions for Marshmallow & Ginger Syrup:

1. Toast the marshmallows over dying embers / available source of heat until they are dark brown and melted inside
2. Put them into a heavy-bottomed pan or cast-iron pan, then add the sugar and water
3. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar and the marshmallows
4. Once you reach a gentle boil, turn the heat down to a simmer and continue cooking and stirring until the marshmallows have dissolved
5. Remove the syrup from the heat, stir in the grated ginger, and transfer to a heat proof container
6. Cover and allow to cool overnight
7. The next day, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer lined with a cheesecloth

Note from the author: The syrup will keep in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for at least 2 weeks.

2. White Christmas Mojito from Lulus

Rachel Aschebrand-Robinson

Yield: 4

You may think mojitos are only for the summertime, but Rachel Aschenbrand-Robinson from Lulus flips that notion on its head! With a refreshing crisp taste and a hint of pomegranate, this cocktail brings the snowy weather indoors in both aesthetic and taste! As Aschenbrand-Robinson notes, you really get the “best-of-both-worlds” when it comes to a delicious summertime classic with a refreshing wintry twist. Perfect for a corporate holiday party, the White Christmas Mojito is sure to be a holiday hit!

Ingredients:

¾ cup of lime juice
¼ cup of packed mint leaves
A couple of mint leaves for garnish
½ cup of sugar
½ cup of white rum
½ cup coconut rum
1 cup of canned coconut milk
Sparkling water
Pomegranate arils

 

Directions:

1. In a larger pitcher or glass, muddle the mint leaves in the sugar and lime juice
2. Using a strainer, remove the muddled mint leaves (optional)
3. Fill four glasses halfway full with ice and fill ¾ full with coconut rum mixture
4. Top off each glass with sparkling water
5. Garnish with mint leaves and pomegranate arils

3. Holiday Pear Sangria from Half-Baked Harvest

Tieghan Gerard

Yield: 8

The Holiday Pear Sangria is the embodiment of ‘all is merry and bright’ with its fresh crisp sweetness mixed with the depth of the brandy. The cinnamon adds a wonderful bit of spice as well to the festive concoction. Tieghan Gerard from Half-Baked Harvest notes that this Sangria is “sweet, refreshing, so easy to make, and perfect for all holiday parties.” If you’re looking to bring a little bit of warmth into the cold, this Sangria is perfect for your next catered event.

Ingredients:

1 (750ml) bottle dry white wine
½ cup pear or apple brandy
⅓ cup cranberry or pomegranate juice
1 cup apple cider
2 pears, sliced
2 blood oranges, sliced
1 cup fresh cranberries
¼ cup candied ginger
3 cinnamon sticks
1-2 (12oz) ginger beers

Directions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients except the ginger beer
2. Stir and then place in the fridge until chilled
3. Before serving, add the ginger beer, then fill each glass with ice and pour the sangria over the ice
4. Optional: top off with more ginger beer

Your Dedicated Beverage Catering Company 

With Chicago beverage catering packages that include, our Premium, Prestige, Platinum bars, and more, Catered by Design offers a wide range of options including top-tier liquor, wine, and beer brands to meet individual needs. If these recipes sparked your curiosity, please feel free to view our beverage catering packages or contact us if you have questions about our services.

Cheers and happy holidays!