As BitchBuzz’s token booze-hound, I have taken it upon myself to introduce y’all to some wonderful festive cocktails. After all, what is Christmas if not a chance to overdo it slightly?

1) The New Snowball

A lot of people berate the Snowball as an 80s drink, but when it comes to booze, I don’t think there’s such a thing as. This is the new snowball because it involves gin, which is not in the traditional concoction but takes the edge off the Advocaat’s egg flavour.

Ingredients:

2 shots of Advocaat

1 measure of any good gin

5 measures of lemonade

¼ measure of lime cordial

Directions:

Mix it all together and serve with ice and a slice.

Pic c/o Cocktail UK

2) Spiked Eggnog

The concept of Eggnog is completely wrong. Eggs and alcohol? Barf. Curious then, that it tastes amazing. This updated version features brandy instead of the traditional rum, but you can use rum, bourbon or whiskey… anything strong.

Ingredients:

1 measure of brandy

1 ½ measures of milk

½ measure of sugar syrup (learn how to make it here! It’s super easy)

1 egg yolk

Nutmeg

Directions:

Mix it all together and sprinkle nutmeg on the top to decorate

 Pic c/o Cocktail UK

3) Cranberry Kick

We all know how good for us cranberry is, and while I’m not 100% sure if the goodness remains when it’s spiked with booze, it can’t be that bad for you, can it?

 Ingredients:

1 measure of nice vodka

1 measure of cranberry liquer (such as De Kuyper Cranberry)

Dash of lime juice

Cranberry juice to top up

 Directions:

Half fill a glass with ice, add cranberry liqueur and vodka, top up with cranberry. Stir and add lime.

 Image c/o Corbis

4) The Snowman

This is super strength, but it tastes great. The ingredient list might look a little intense, but I tend to find these are the kind of rogue liqueurs you might find leftover at your place after a party or in your parents’ cabinet…

Ingredients:

1 measure of Frangelico

1 measure of amaretto

1 measure of Kahlua

1 measure of Baileys

1 measure of white rum

1 measure of butterscotch schnapps

Cinnamon

Directions;

Shake together, whack it in a glass with loads of ice and sprinkle with cinnamon.

 Image c/o Merrillie

5) Whiskey Mac

Trust the Scots to come up with this rocket fuel. It is, in every sense, a winter warmer. Green ginger wine is a bit of an odd ingredient, but once you have a bottle it will last forever – and it comes in useful in all sorts of other drinks.

 Ingredients:

1 measure of a good Scotch whiskey

2 measures of Green ginger wine

Ginger ale to top up/water down

Directions:

Pour the whiskey and ginger wine into a wine glass – no ice on this one. That’s it. You can top it up with ginger ale if it’s too strong, or just to make it into a long drink.

 Pic c/o Drink Swap

6) Killer Bloody Mary

The day I handed in my Masters, I drank Bloody Marys from 10am until 6pm. They are something of a favourite of mine for daytime drinking, but are of course at their best for soothing hangovers. This is a Gordon Ramsey approved recipe, so you know it’s gonna be good.

 Ingredients:

1 garlic clove

1 measure of lemon juice

1 measure of sherry

Tomato juice

Splash of Worcestershire sauce

Splash of Tabasco (if you like it hot)

Pinch of salt

Large shot of vodka

And, if you’re feeling really fancy, Gordon suggest Chipotle smoked peppers and smoked paprika.

Directions:

Whizz together garlic clove, lemon juice, sherry, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, one diced pepper and salt. Add vodka and stir. Use the paprika to rim your glass, fill with ice, pour in, enjoy.