3 easy Holiday cocktail recipes to make at home

The holidays are all about good vibes, great company, and—of course—delicious drinks. Whether you’re hosting friends, spending time with family, or just treating yourself to a quiet night in, the right cocktail can make things feel extra festive. These three easy recipes by Sabato are simple enough to whip up at home but still feel a little special. So grab your shaker (or just a spoon, no judgment), pour yourself something tasty, and let’s get into the holiday spirit.

Oxblood Cynar and cherry spritz

Serves: 4 to 8

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 1 bottle of Cynar
• 1 carton of sour cherry juice
• 1 bottle of prosecco
• 1 bottle of soda water
• 1 (small) bottle of cinnamon syrup
• 1 jar of amarena cherries

Per glass:

• 2 ice cubes
• 50 ml Cynar
• 50 ml sour cherry juice
• 25 ml prosecco
• 25 ml soda water
• 1 tsp of cinnamon syrup
• 1 amarena cherry

How to make:

1. Use a 200 ml glass.
2. Add 2 ice cubes to the glass.
3. Pour in the Cynar and sour cherry juice. Top with prosecco and soda water.
4. Add the cinnamon syrup and stir gently.
5. Garnish with an amarena cherry. Serve and enjoy!

Crystal clear clarified margarita

This is the perfect cocktail for batch preparation—can be made days ahead and keeps for weeks in the fridge.

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

• 500 ml of high-quality tequila
• 120 ml of Cointreau
• 230 ml fresh lime juice (reserve some for rimming)
• 50 ml of simple syrup
• 250 ml of whole milk
• Maldon salt (for rimming glasses)
• Crushed ice

How to make:

1. In a large jar (at least 1.5 liters), combine tequila, Cointreau, 200 ml lime juice, and simple syrup.
2. Slowly pour in the whole milk. The mixture will curdle—this is normal. Let it rest for at least 4 hours or overnight at room temperature.
3. Strain the curdled liquid through a coffee filter into a clean jar. This may take time but will yield a crystal-clear cocktail.
4. Store the clarified margarita in a clean, sealed bottle. Keep it on a shelf or in the fridge until ready to serve.

How to serve:

1. Rim a cocktail glass with the remaining lime juice and Maldon salt.
2. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
3. Pour 150 ml of the clarified margarita over the ice. Enjoy!

Creamy spicy pear and ginger spritz (virgin)

Serves: 4 to 8

Ingredients:

• Fresh ginger (for garnish)
• Ice cubes
• 1 bottle of fresh pear juice
• 120 ml of ginger juice
• 4 lemons
• 1 bottle of soda water
• Stainless steel skewers

Per glass:

• 2 ice cubes
• 75 ml pear juice
• 15 ml ginger juice
• 60 ml soda water
• 1 tbsp of lemon juice
• 1 thinly shaved ginger slice

How to make:

1. Use a 200 ml glass.
2. Prepare the ginger garnish by shaving a thin slice of ginger and threading it onto a skewer. For a decorative touch, use a small cookie cutter to create a shape before stringing it onto the skewer.
3. Add 2 ice cubes to the glass.
4. Pour in the pear juice, ginger juice, and lemon juice. Top with soda water.
5. Place the ginger garnish on the skewer into the glass. Serve and enjoy!

Recipes: Sabato
Photography: Julius Endendijk