Christmas Cheers with Home Made Drinks

This December, embrace the Christmas spirit and celebrate with an intimate gathering with friends and family. Be it in the cozy comfort of your home or while indulging in midnight revelry, delicious cocktails are the perfect celebratory addition to the festive season.

Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador, Jamie Walker shares his personal favorite cocktails to help you spread the Christmas cheer and compliment the feasting this festive season.

* Christmas Toddy: Ideal for reminiscing memories with friends and family, this light and comforting cocktail combines fruity flavors with the gentle, yet rich flavors of the Singleton - a single malt whisky.

Glassware: Coffee Mug

Ingredients:

45ml Singleton of Glen Ord 12 year-old

20ml Red Wine

30ml Cranberry Juice

20ml Lemon Juice

20ml Honey

100ml Boiling Water

Method: Add all ingredients into a coffee mug and garnish with an orange wedge and a cinnamon stick. This drink can also be kept warm on the stove and served as your guests arrive

Garnish: Orange wedge and Cinnamon stick

* Salted Caramel Old Fashioned: This quintessential cocktail is specially refashioned to embody the Christmas spirit. The warm flavors of salted caramel blended with the smooth and smoky Talisker whisky gives you the perfect sip for a night spent by the fireplace. With the orange peel fused with the bitters of angostura complimenting the whisky's creamy smoothness, this drink will surely compliment a cold winter night.

Glassware: Rocks Glass

Ingredients:

60ml Talisker 10 year-old

10ml Monin Salted Caramel syrup

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Method: Simply add all ingredients to a rocks glass, add cubed ice and stir for around 20 seconds. Then twist the orange peel over the top of the drink as garnish.

Expert Tip: This drink can be poured in advance and then simply stirred quickly with

ice.

Garnish: Orange Peel

* Edinburgh Fizz : A splash of festive fizz is mandatory to get your New Year going, and this elegant twist to the classic whisky fizz is the perfect cocktail to start off your evening. With its lighter style, the Glenkinchie marries beautifully with the martini Bianco and fresh citrus. Pair this fresh and fragrant delight with savory tapas appetizers to kick start your celebrations.

Glassware: Highball Glass

Ingredients:

50ml Glenkinchie 12 year-old

20ml Martini Bianco Vermouth

20ml fresh lime juice

15ml honey

Egg white (optional)

Method: Add all ingredients to shaker and shake hard with cubed ice. Strain over cubed ice in a highball glass and top with soda water.

Garnish: Lime Wheel

* Yuletide Mule : Spicy and smoky, this rich concoction is perfect for rounding off an evening or toasting in Christmas or New Year. The combination of the full bodied Lagavulin, with its gentle yet strong sweetness, and lemon juice gives you the perfectly balance assemblage of sweet and sour. Best paired with aged blue cheeses, Lagavulin's mighty flavors are delicious with Gorgonzola, Roquefort or Stilton cheese platters.

Glassware: Highball Glass/Wine Glass

Ingredients:

60ml Lagavulin 16 year-old

15ml fresh Ginger Juice

20ml Lemon Juice

15ml Sugar syrup

Top with either soda or hot water depending on your taste

Method: Either shake the first four ingredients and strain over ice into a highball glass and top with soda or add the first four ingredients into a wine glass and top with boiling water.

Expert Tip: This drink can be served cold or warm depending on your taste.

Garnish: Grated Nutmeg