The holiday season—a time for laughter-filled gatherings, excellent baking, and those cherished festive cocktails! But let’s talk about those specialty liqueurs that add that extra sparkle to your drinks. Why not create your own instead of buying a whole bottle for just one cocktail? Think peppermint, gingerbread, chocolate, orange—each with its unique charm. Trust us, these homemade liqueur recipes are easy and a great way to jazz up your holiday drinks without breaking the bank.

Picture this: You, proudly showcasing your homemade concoctions to friends and family, sharing the secret behind those perfectly crafted cocktails. So, why not dive into these recipes, get creative, and make your holiday season even more special?

Peppermint Liqueur

Without artificial flavours or sweeteners, this liqueur is an excellent alternative to store-bought ones. View the original recipe here. 

Ingredients

• 3 cups Mint Leaves, packed
• 3 ½ cups Vodka
• 1 cup Simple Syrup (View our simple syrup recipe here) 

Directions

Rinse the mint leaves and place them in a glass jar. Cover the leaves with vodka until completely covered. During the first few days, stir the leaves to be under the surface. When exposed to air, they can form mould. Over a few days, the leaves reduce in size and sink. Let the leaves infuse for at least twelve days (the longer the leaves diffuse, the stronger the peppermint taste).

Strain the leaves out of the vodka.

Combine the simple syrup and vodka. 1 part syrup to 3 parts vodka is recommended to start, but this can be adjusted to preference.

Gingerbread Liqueur

Creamy and decadent, this liqueur is perfect to enjoy in cocktails or poured over desserts. View the original recipe here. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup Light Brown Sugar
• 2 tbsp Ginger, fresh and finely sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 ½ cups Whisky or Vodka
• 1 ¾ cups Condensed Milk
• 1 ½ cups Cream

Directions

In a small pan over medium heat, stir the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. Add the ginger and cinnamon sticks and bring to a boil. Then, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat, stir in vodka or whiskey, and recover for at least 6 hours (to overnight) at room temperature.

Empty the condensed milk into a large jug, then gradually whisk in the single cream until smooth. Strain in the infused alcohol through a fine sieve (discard the spices), add a large pinch of salt and whisk to combine. Chill before serving.

Chocolate Liqueur

With such good of a taste, you may be tempted to drink this one straight. Using chopped white chocolate, you can also turn it into a white chocolate liqueur. View the original recipe here.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 6 tbsp Sugar
• 2 tbsp Cocoa Powder
• ½ Chocolate, chopped
• 4 oz Whisky or Rum

Directions

Add the cream, sugar and cocoa powder to a saucepan over medium heat. Mix well and heat until nearly boiling. Once hot, add in the chopped chocolate and mix until melted.

Remove from heat. Once cooled, add whiskey or rum to preference. Chill before serving.

Orange Liqueur

Citrus is an iconic flavour to Christmas, so why not step it up a notch and make your liqueur? Try this one in our White Christmas Margarita (recipe here). View the original liqueur recipe here.

Ingredients

4 Oranges, washed and peeled
3 1/3 cups Sugar
1 tsp Star Aniseed
Vodka or White Rum

Directions

Peel oranges and add rinds to a large glass jar. Add sugar and spices. Top with vodka or rum until the contents are completely covered. Let rest for at least twelve days, but can rest for up to one month.

Coffee Liqueur

A versatile liqueur that can be used in all your favourite cocktails. Find the original recipe here.

Ingredients

1 Cup Coffee Grounds from filter coffee
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Boiling Water
1 Cup Vodka or Rum

Directions

Add the grounds and sugar to a glass jar and stir until all incorporated. Cover and rest at room temperature for at least 24 hours. Then add the boiling water and stir until combined. Pour through a coffee filter to remove the grounds, and add the vodka or rum. Chill before serving.

So, let’s spice up those Christmas Cocktail Recipes with our homemade creations! Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook and Instagram to show off your mixology skills – cheers to a season filled with homemade goodness!