Creating signature holiday cocktails

In this decade, cocktails are more than just gin and tonic. They are fresher and more innovative than ever before, using herbs, fruits, liquors, and syrups to make a classic drink an experience.

There's no better time for cocktails than the holiday season. At corporate parties and social events, clients just want to eat, drink, and be merry. Take a look at these catering trends and ideas for inspiration on how to create festive signature drinks.

New components, fresh flavors

A harmonious combination of ingredients bursting with flavor—that's what every chef and caterer aspires to create. Cocktails are very much the same. Lately, incorporating fresh herbs and fruits like lavender, pomegranate, and edible flowers into cocktails has been popular. As the local-sourcing trend continues, using ingredients unique to the region will also differentiate your signature drinks.

For the holidays, try mixing and matching classic fruits like apple, pumpkin, and cranberries with peppermint, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Then, give the cocktails a modern twist with fresh herbs like mint, rosemary, and basil.

A chocolate lovers delight, this snowball martini from Russell Morin Catering includes vanilla vodka, Godiva white chocolate Liqueur, white Crème de Cacao, and is garnished with white chocolate and white nonpareils. Photo courtesy of the caterer

Play with temperature

Warm ciders and freezing snow—for many, winter brings both the cold and the heat. Frozen cocktails, which are basically alcoholic slushies, are very popular. Thomas Caterers of Distinction took this a step further by making cocktail popsicles.

Thomas Caterers of Distinction took original specialty drinks and placed them into distinctive popsicle form. 

On the opposite end of the thermometer, warm drinks have a way of relaxing guests while also tasting delicious. From hot toddies to mulled wine, warm drinks that have all the comfort of the holidays in a glass.

Presentation matters

Even if you are attached to the flavors of classic cocktails, you have to admit they're not much to look at. You eat with your eyes first, so the saying goes, and you'll want to make sure that your cocktails are visually delicious, too.

The Borealis Triangle from Yael Vengroff, The Spare Room, Los Angeles, CA, layers the colors and flavors of passion fruit, coconut, and Mandarine Napoleon liqueur.

There are a few different trends that would be perfect for holiday cocktails. Layering the ingredients by color so that the drink appears striped makes for a very unique and bright cocktail.

Also, adding berries or fruit to anything carbonated creates a very bubbly drink, literally. Pomegranate seeds have the same effect and are perfect for the holiday season. Though ice cubes aren't in every cocktail, pouring club soda into an ice cube tray and placing fruit in each cube creates a truly stunning drink.

Explore eagerly

When trying new things, it's best to follow your inspiration. After all, every trend is started by someone, and that could be you. Thomas Caterers has even started smoking their cocktails, using hookah to serve their flavorful infusions.

Thomas Caterers of Distinction purchased this beautiful hookah after seeing it on the Catersource Tradeshow floor. The hookah experience offers clients unique flavor, light, smoke, color, and interaction! Photo Erin Hessian Photography

So if funky glasses catch your eye, see how they would look with your cranberry martini. If you have a passion for pumpkin, create the best pumpkin pie cocktail. We're excited to see what you come up with.