Pour out some Christmas cheer with our pick of festive cocktails

A merry measure goes a long way in six of the most delicious yuletide concoctions you’ve ever tasted, says Sam Wylie-Harris

Planning a mini party, friends stopping by, or just wondering what to wheel out on the cocktail trolley this festive season? When it comes to Christmas cocktail ideas, we’ve got you covered. Shaken or stirred, ice cool and flowing with Christmas cheer, or perhaps a posh premix – these sip sensations will add more than a dash of panache to sparkling soirees...

CHAMBORD ROYALE

Ingredients: 15ml Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur (£21, 70cl, Amazon), 125ml prosecco/champagne, sparkling wine.

Method: Take an elegant coupe or champagne flute. Add the Chambord, pour in the bubbly of your choice and garnish with a raspberry, et voila.

WHITE CHRISTMAS NEGRONI

Ingredients: 25ml Yuletide Gin, That Boutique-y Gin Company (£34.95, 50cl, Master of Malt), 25ml white vermouth, 25ml Luxardo Bitter Bianco.

Method: Build over ice and stir to chill. Garnish with a clove-studded orange wedge. Can also be batched into a party pitcher to maximise those Christmassy botanicals.

RUMBULLION! OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients: 50ml Rumbullion! Caribbean spiced rum (£34.90, 70cl, Master of Malt), Angostura Bitters, brown sugar cube/tsp brown sugar, orange twist to garnish.

Method: Place the sugar cube in a rocks glass, add three drops of bitters and muddle. Add Rumbullion! and top with ice then stir well. Twist over orange peel to release oil and place in glass to garnish.

4. SICILIAN SANTA

Ingredients: 50ml Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin (£20, 70cl, Asda), 50ml clementine juice, Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic Water, sprig of rosemary.

Method: Add large, cubed ice to a gin balloon glass, pour in the gin, add the juice and stir. Top with Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic Water and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

5. CLOVER CLUB

A cheeky concoction that harks back to prohibition era, the Clover Club – gin, lemon juice and raspberry syrup – is enjoying a renaissance and here you have all the hard work done for you.

Simply chill the coupe, shake the iced bottle, pour and garnish with three fresh raspberries on a stick. Beautifully balanced with a good, tangy hit. Clover Club Pemixed, £19.95 (50cl, four

servings), Bristol Cocktails.

6. KOCKTAIL THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

Want the festive fervour without the faff? Here’s an in-house bartender at your service, courtesy of the awardwinning Kocktail team. The Christmas Collection, £29, Kocktail, includes Orange and Cranberry Spritz, Mulled Wine High Ball, Gingerbread Espresso Martini and Winter Spiced Negroni. Chin-chin!

IN THE MIX: Clockwise from above, Clover Club harks back to prohibition, Sicilian Santa uses Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin and Kocktail The Christmas Collection covers lots of bases. Right, Chambord Royale needs just two ingredients, below, White Christmas Negroni offers Christmas botanicals and, left, Rumbullion! Old Fashioned is a top choice for spiced rum fans.