These 3 Cocktail Recipes Are Perfect For Festive Season, Dinner Parties And Winter Hosting

Last Updated:December 03, 2025, 12:20 IST

Be it festive shenanigans or dinner parties, having a few trusty cocktail recipes that won’t let you down in your back pocket is a must.

As the festive season nears and the year comes to an end, gatherings with family and friends will keep multiplying. These last few days of 2025 are meant to be spent with loved ones, reflecting on the year gone by and being grateful for all that came our way. It surely doesn’t hurt to have a delicious cocktail in hand as we sip and get in the nostalgic mood.

Here are 3 cocktail recipes that are perfect for winter. Whether you are craving something warm and toasty or cool and refreshing, there is something for everyone.

Hot Toddy

Recipe by Victor Dukru, Mixologist, Yuki

Ingredients

• Brandy: 60 ml

• Apple juice: 60 ml

• Honey: 15 ml

• Lime juice: 10 ml

• Indian whole spices (such as cinnamon, star anise and cloves)

• Hot water (to top up)

Method

1. Add brandy, apple juice, honey, lime juice and whole spices to a saucepan.

2. Gently heat the mixture until it begins to boil.

3. Stir well until the honey is fully dissolved.

4. Pour into a heatproof glass.

5. Top up with hot water as required.

Garnish: Lime slice, cinnamon stick and star anise.

Winter Buster

Recipe by Suresh Shetty, Director, Cahoots

Ingredients

• Vodka: 45 ml

• Strawberry crush: 20 ml

• Cranberry juice: 15 ml

• Lime juice: 10 ml

• Egg white (optional, for foam)

• Blue curaçao (optional, for colour contrast)

Method

1. Add vodka, strawberry crush, cranberry juice, lime juice and egg white to a shaker.

2. Dry shake vigorously to emulsify the egg white and achieve a smooth foam.

3. Add ice and shake again until well chilled.

4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

5. If desired, add a dash of blue curaçao for a striking visual contrast.

Garnish: Sugar-coated rosemary sprig

Nannari Solstice 

Recipe by Mahesh Bhatt Mixologist at Maize & Malt

Ingredients

For the Cocktail:

• 40 ml Gold Rum

• 20 ml Cinnamon Whiskey

• 30 ml Fresh Pineapple Juice

• 15 ml Fresh Lime Juice

• 2 drops Aromatic Bitters

For the Garnish:

• Nannari Foam (herbal and slightly sweet)

• M&M Rice Paper

Method

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the gold rum, cinnamon whiskey, pineapple juice, lime juice, and aromatic bitters.

2. Add ice and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until well chilled.

3. Strain the mixture into an old-fashioned glass over fresh ice.

4. Carefully spoon or pipe a layer of nannari foam over the drink.

Garnish: Place a piece of M&M rice paper on top of the foam for a festive, visual touch.

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