Try making these Christmas-themed cocktails for your next house party

We hear you Yoursquove been contracted the tender for being behind the bar at an upcoming house party and all eyes are on you Why not surprise your guests by pouring red white and green drinks to ensure they record the festive cheer in Instagrammable pictures Here are a few ground rules Invest in quality alcohol ready the bartender kit yoursquove always wanted to use procure good quality ice and use the peg measurer Approximation ruins a cocktailWhite Christmas affairMumbai will never see a white Christmas even with climate change but we can always take inspiration from snowy images across the world and pour that into a glass That calls for smooth creamy drinks which have a mellow kickXmas WinterbuzzRicky Rana with Winterbuzz Cocktail at All Saints Khar PicsSameer MarkandeChristmas always excites Ricky Rana bar manager at All Saints ldquoThis time of the year reminds me of my familyrdquo says Rana ldquoof setting up the crib and hearing stories of Jesusrsquo birth Wersquod put up stockings and wait for the magic of Santardquo Rana recommends Xmas Winterbuzz for your party menu because itrsquos versatile and can be a mocktail too He lays down just one conditionmdashsimply follow the recipeIngredientsthinsp30 ml rum skip for mocktailthinsp15 ml Malibu skip for mocktailthinsp60 ml fresh creamthinsp15 ml white syrupthinsp10 ml hazelnut syrupthinsp30 ml fresh pineapple juicethinsp10 ml rose syrupthinsp75 ml blue curaccedilaothinsp810 ice cubesMethodMix all ingredients in a shaker add ice cubes and give it a thorough shake Double strain and serveDr Locos Horchata by Poco LocoHorchataThis drink originated in North Africa and later became popular in Spain and Portugal From Spain the concept of horchata was taken to the world There drinks called agua de horchata or simply horchata came to be made with white rice and cinnamon Sometimes the drink has added vanilla or fruitIngredientsthinsp40 ml dark rumthinsp20 ml coffee liqueurthinsp60 ml rice milkthinsp3 cardamom podsthinspA pinch of cinnamon powderthinsp1 scoop vanilla ice creamMethodMix the rice and warm water in a bowl and let it stand for halfanhour Strain the rice into a blender retain the water add cinnamon and blend well until it turns into a paste Return the mixture to the water and let rest for some time Stir occasionally until the water turns milky white Add rum coffee liqueur rice milk cardamom and vanilla ice cream into a blender blend well and pour it over the ice Garnish with a cinnamon stickDirty SnowmanDirty Snowman PicSayed Sameer AbediHead mixologist at Maujja Pankaj Kumavat got the inspiration for this drink from his hometown in Kashmir He grew up in parts of Pahalgam and Gulmarg ldquoMumbai and Thane do not experience snowrdquo he says ldquobut this time of the year reminds me of the season We would sip on kahwa and toddy to keep warmrdquo Ingredients60 ml Baileys Irish Cream30 ml white chocolate melted3 scoops of vanilla ice creamWhipped cream and star sprinkles for garnishMethodIn a cocktail grinder add Baileys white chocolate vanilla ice cream and blend Strain and pour into a glass Garnish with whipped cream and star sprinklesPaint the town redRed drinks call for fruity concoctions that reflect one of the dominant colours of Christmas Think of plum red wine punch and roseacute Berry MerryBisho Sunar with Berry Merry Cocktail at Demy Lower Parel PicSameer MarkandeBisho Sunar senior mixologist at Demy recommends a sweet and tangy drink with a hint of fizz ldquoShowy finishing touches can elevate even the most basic cocktail ingredients and amplify flavours toordquo he says adding ldquoWhen the heart is happy Christmas can never be dull Itrsquos not just about feasting and fun Itrsquos also a time for a happy reunion with family and friends As a mixologist this is the busiest time of the year I love working with fresh fruit and herbs because they are versatile For example I once made a drink that was simply vodka lemon juice and honey To give it a fruity lift I added a few strawberry slices and basil leaves At home you can get creative with the ingredients you have at handrdquoIngredientsthinsp1 tbsp blueberry compotethinsp30 ml cranberry juicethinspSparkling wine chilled at 56 degrees CelciusMethodMix the blueberry compote with cranberry juice and five ice cubes and shake it in a shaker Top the glass with sparkling wineChristmas PunchFor Megha Datwani mixologist and founder at Poco Loco Christmas is about lights deacutecor happiness and good food with family ldquoMy personal pick is the classic pisco drink chilcano with a lot of fresh fruitbased cocktails and anything with coconut and pineapplerdquo she says ldquoUse fresh fruits to add natural flavours to your drinkrdquo Some accounts suggest that the drink punch can be traced to India where the East India Company sailors were provided with a daily ration of 10 pints The beer would spoil in the tropical heat and so they turned to local ingredients including arrack a palmbased spirit familiar to South Asia and to rum when in the West Indies The addition of local fruit and spices including nutmeg and mace was the next step toward establishing the flavour profileMegha DatwaniIngredientsthinsp20 ml whiskythinsp20 ml dark rumthinsp20 ml brandythinsp1 pint apple cider meadthinsp70 ml cranberry juicethinsp20 ml lime juicethinspA selection of fresh fruit pineapple green apple Malta orangeMethodAdd whisky dark rum brandy cranberry juice grape juice and lime juice in a fish bowl Stir well Add apple cider mead and garnish with fresh fruitDrinks to green lightGreen is an odd colour for a drink but it can add a fun profile to your cocktail menu Kiwi khus and even a vegetable base can make it a creative exercisePine LIITPine LiitAt Maujja in Thane Pankaj Kumavat relies on kiwi crush for all things green He has a few tips for those who don the bartender apron at home Use ingredients that can be stored and reused Keep an attractive variety of glassware to present your creations Try to use naturallycoloured ingredients such as fruits and vegetables for garnishIngredientsthinspVodka rum tequila gin triple sec and kiwi crush 15 ml eachthinspRed BullthinspSlice of lime for garnishMethodIn a stirring glass add ice Now add the white spirits with kiwi crush and stir it wellTop it up with Red Bull and mix well Garnish with a lemon slice and serve