Three Festive Cocktails for Your Holiday Engagement Party

The Colorado Cranberry Spritz

This bright, bubbly cocktail blends cranberry juice, sparkling wine, and a splash of local Colorado gin. Garnished with sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary, it’s the perfect balance of tart and refreshing. Serve it as your welcome drink to set a joyful tone for the evening.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Colorado gin
• 2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
• ½ oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 3 oz chilled dry sparkling wine or Prosecco
• Ice cubes
• 2 tbsp water

Garnish:

• Fresh cranberries
• 1 rosemary sprig
• Sugar (for sugared cranberries & optional rim)
• Quick Sugared Cranberries (optional but pretty)

Instructions:

1. Make sugared cranberries (ahead): In a small pan, warm 2 tbsp water + 2 tbsp sugar until dissolved. Toss in cranberries, coat, then remove and roll in extra sugar. Let dry on parchment for 30–45 minutes.
2. Prepare the glass (optional): Run a lime wedge around the rim and dip it into sugar.
3. Build the drink: Fill a wine glass, or large stemmed glass, with ice. Add gin, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and lime juice.
4. Top & garnish: Gently top with sparkling wine. Stir very lightly once. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a few sugared cranberries on a cocktail pick.

Spiced Bourbon Snowfall

Nothing says winter in Colorado like a warm, aromatic drink. This cocktail mixes smooth bourbon with cinnamon simple syrup, orange peel, and a light dusting of nutmeg—just like a fresh snowfall. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing option ideal for fireside sipping.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• ¾ oz cinnamon simple syrup (see below)
• ½ oz fresh orange juice
• 2 dashes Angostura or aromatic bitters
• Ice (preferably a large cube)

Garnish:

• Orange peel (expressed over the drink)
• Freshly grated nutmeg (just a pinch)

Cinnamon Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 cinnamon sticks

Steps for cinnamon syrup:

1. Add water, sugar, and cinnamon sticks to a small pot.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves.
3. Simmer for 5–10 minutes, then cool.
4. Remove cinnamon sticks and store in the fridge (up to 2 weeks).

Instructions:

1. Chill the glass: Place a rocks glass in the freezer or fill it with ice and water while you mix.
2. Mix: In a mixing glass with ice, add bourbon, cinnamon simple syrup, orange juice, and bitters.
3. Stir: Stir for 15–20 seconds until well chilled.
4. Serve: Discard ice/water from the rocks glass, add a fresh large ice cube. Strain the cocktail over the ice.
5. Garnish: Express an orange peel over the drink (twist to release oils), then drop it in or rest it on the rim. Finish with a tiny pinch of freshly grated nutmeg on top.

White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

For guests with a sweet tooth, this creamy martini tastes like a winter wonderland. White chocolate liqueur, vanilla vodka, and peppermint schnapps come together for a rich, festive flavor. Rim the glass with crushed candy canes for an extra holiday touch.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz vanilla vodka
• 1½ oz white chocolate liqueur (e.g., Godiva White)
• ½ oz peppermint schnapps
• 1 oz half-and-half or heavy cream
• Ice

Garnish:

• 1–2 mini candy canes or regular candy cane, crushed (for rim)
• A bit of simple syrup or honey (to stick the rim)
• Optional: white chocolate shavings or a mini candy cane on the rim

Instructions: 

1. Prepare the candy cane rim: Crush candy canes into small pieces and spread on a small plate. Lightly coat the rim of a chilled martini glass with simple syrup or honey. Dip the rim into the crushed candy cane until coated.
2. Mix the cocktail: Fill a shaker with ice. Add vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps, and cream.
3. Shake: Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until the shaker is very cold and the drink is frothy.
4. Serve & garnish: Strain into the prepared martini glass. Garnish with white chocolate shavings or hang a mini candy cane on the rim.