The most wonderful time of the year is finally upon us! But in Australia, it’s a bit different. Think sunny skies, backyard BBQs, and celebrating with friends and family. All that’s missing is a perfect drink you can slowly enjoy together surrounded by the people you love. While the northern hemisphere cosies up with mulled wine and eggnog, we get to embrace refreshing, ice-cold drinks perfect for our summer festivities. Here are our top picks. And we took it one step further – you get a tip and instructions with a full list of Christmas gin cocktail recipes.
Classic G&T with a Christmas Twist
You can’t go wrong with a G&T, especially during the festive season. Add a holiday twist by using a craft gin with seasonal botanicals, and garnishing with a sprig of rosemary and a few fresh cranberries. The rosemary gives a subtle piney aroma, while the cranberries add a pop of colour – perfect for Christmas cheer!
Simple doesn’t mean boring – here’s all you need to make it:
∙ 60ml gin
∙ Tonic water
∙ Ice
∙ Rosemary sprig and cranberries for garnish
G&T Recipe
Fill a glass with ice. Add gin and top up with tonic water. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and cranberries. That’s it – enjoy!
Aussie Summer Spritz
A Spritz is the ultimate summer cocktail, and with a few tweaks, you can make it a Christmas favourite. Use a fruit-forward gin and sparkling wine, paired with soda water and fresh berries, for a drink that screams “Aussie summer.” Here’s what you need:
∙ 45ml gin
∙ 60ml sparkling wine
∙ 30ml soda water
∙ Ice
∙ Fresh strawberries and mint leaves
Spritz Recipe
Fill a wine glass with ice. Then, add gin, sparkling wine, and soda water. Stir gently and garnish with strawberries and mint leaves. You’re all set!
Mango Gin Fizz
Mango is a quintessential Australian Christmas fruit, and when you combine it with gin, you get a tropical cocktail that’s hard to resist. This one’s perfect for sipping by the pool – and more.
Simple, refreshing, and delicious. All you need to make it is:
∙ 60ml gin
∙ Half of ripe mango (ideally, pureed)
∙ 15ml lime juice
∙ Soda water
∙ Ice
∙ (optional) Lime wedge and mango slice for garnish
Fizz Recipe
Add the mango puree, gin, and lime juice to a shaker with ice. Shake it all well. Then, it’s time to strain into a glass filled with ice. Finally, top with soda water and garnish with a lime wedge and mango slice.
Pimm’s Christmas Punch
Pimm’s is a summer favourite and an easy way to make a crowd-pleasing cocktail. But you can easily add some special Christmas flair with slices of orange, strawberries, cucumber, and a few sprigs of mint. Here’s what you’ll need:
∙ 1 part Pimm’s
∙ 2 parts lemonade or ginger ale
∙ Ice
∙ Orange slices, cucumber ribbons, and strawberries for garnish
∙ Mint leaves
Pimm’s Punch Recipe
Start by filling a jug with ice and fruits. Then, add Pimm’s and mix it with lemonade or ginger ale. Finally, stir and garnish with mint leaves.
Festive Sour
For those who love something a little more sophisticated, a Gin Sour with festive flavours will be a hit. Add a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg to bring in a warm Christmas vibe. You may need to go an extra mile – but it’s a mile worth taking!
Here’s what you need to prepare:
∙ 60ml gin
∙ 30ml lemon juice
∙ 15ml sugar syrup
∙ Dash of bitters
∙ Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
∙ Ice
∙ (optional) Lemon twist for garnish
Christmas Sour Recipe
Shake gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and bitters with ice. Strain it into a chilled glass – you can simply put it in a freezer for about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg and garnish with a lemon twist. There you go – a Christmas drink that tastes amazing with looks that follow suit!
Serve Them Right
A festive season like this deserves the right presentation to capture that holiday spirit. Here are some practical tips on how to make the hosting a bit easier – and less stressful:
- Batch Cocktails: Consider making large batches of your cocktails ahead of time. A big jug or punch bowl looks festive and saves you from mixing drinks individually.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh fruit, herbs, and juices for the best flavours.
- Ice, Ice Baby: Keep plenty of ice on hand – it’s essential for keeping drinks cold in the Aussie summer heat.
Whether you’re toasting with a classic gin cocktail or trying a tropical twist, these Christmas cocktails are exactly what you need to spread holiday cheer.
So, dust off your cocktail shaker, stock up on fresh ingredients, and let the good times (and drinks) flow. Cheers to a merry and bright Aussie Christmas!
