Christmas Drinks & Appetizers

Now that finals are wrapped up I thought it would be fun to share some ideas to dive into the Christmas spirit! This post will have some amazing holiday drinks and appetizers to help you get started. This year during finals I was definitely not feeling the Christmas joy, but now that they’re over I’m so excited for Christmas this week!

Christmas Appetizers:

1. Christmas Tree Cheeseboard:

Even though it has most of the same food as a normal Cheese Board, decorating it in the form of a Christmas tree adds a little bit of holiday spirit to the board. Cheese boards are always so fun to make and besides the creative touches you can ;add they are always so delicious to eat.

Ingredients I Used (top to bottom):

• Brie Cheese
• Olives
• Crackers
• Salami 
• Cashews
• Bought a leaf of a pine tree from the store to add some green

2. Candy Cane Caprese:

Caprese salad is always amazing so even just rearranging it into something cute like this is so simple and easy!

Ingredients I Used: 

• Tomato
• Mozzarella 
• Bread
• Basil
• Balsamic glaze

3. Wreath Cheeseboard:

Since I was going with the Christmas theme I split my ingredients up decided to add all of my cheese onto the wreath. The cranberries were the secret to pulling the whole idea of the wreath together!

Ingredients I Used:

• Dairy Free Cheese
• Cranberries
• Crackers
• Raspberries
• Pomegranate Seeds
• Jam

To go along with these festive appetizers you obviously need some fun holiday cocktails as well! I tried all of these drinks and wanted to recommend my favorites. I definitely do not know how to make a good cocktail so this took me a couple tries with each drink even though all you have to do is read the recipe:)

Holiday Cocktails:

1. Sex on a Snowbank

This drink is so good and tastes like a tropical holiday drink! If you are triggered by Malibu this probably is not the drink for you.

• 1 1/2 oz Malibu Rum
• 3 tbsp Count Cream
• 6 ice cubes 
• Rim with icing and coconut flakes

2. Sugar Cookie Martinis:

Honestly at first the idea of alcohol and milk mixed together really grossed me out but once everything was properly put together it tasted so good. These can be very dangerous though because it taste like a milkshake….

• 1/2 c. whole milk
• 1/4 c. Baileys
• 2 oz. vanilla vodka
• 2 oz. amaretto
• Ice
• Use icing and sprinkles around the rim!!

3. Clausmopolitan:

This drink was very refreshing but also very similar to vodka cranberry which is not my favorite drink. I could definitely have one of these but no more!

• 1 c. vodka
• 1 1/2 c. cranberry juice
• 1/4 c. triple sec
• 1/4 c. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 c. fresh cranberries

** You “wedge” the cranberries and lime juice. Basically smash it together 

4. Candy Cane Cocktail:

This was absolutely one of my favorites!! I feel like anything peppermint to so much better during the holiday season. Definitely would give this one a try!

• 4 oz Half-and-half
• 3 oz Peppermint schnapps
• 3 oz Whipped cream vodka
• 3 oz White chocolate liqueur
• rim is made with icing and crushed candy canes!!

*Mix all together

5. Candy Cane Mimosas:

So I feel like it’s very important to have a morning drink as well especially for Christmas day! I tried these peppermint mimosas and they were so good. 

• 6 oz Peppermint vodka (when making a pitcher) or 1 oz to each glass
• 1 bottle Champagne or prosecco
• Candy Cane Rim with icing and candy canes!!

6. Cranberry Moscow Mule:

Had to try a festive mule as well!!

• 3 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. / 30ml 100% cranberry juice 
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 8 oz. / 225ml ginger beer