Recipe

3 Holiday Cocktails Inspired By “A Christmas Carol”

By Claire Tromblee at University of California – Berkeley

Everyone’s heard the classic, albeit slightly terrifying holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The Charles Dickens classic features a grouchy old man named Ebenezer Scrooge who has lost his Christmas spirit. Scrooge is confronted by three ghostly visitors, who remind him of the joy that the holiday can hold: The Ghost of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come.

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to the days of his childhood — something Spoon can do with a twist on an old-time favorite — hot chocolate. The addition of coffee liqueur and peppermint vodka revamps the Christmas Past Spiked Peppermint Mocha for your adult self to enjoy.

Scrooge is next visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows him the realities and consequences of his current actions. This Christmas Present Peppermint White Russian is slightly less sweet than the Christmas Past cocktail, but uses similar ingredients, reminding us that it’s okay to still think of our past, as long as we grow a little (a stretch? Maybe. But it’s delicious so that’s okay).

Finally, Scrooge is catapulted into a horrifying future, and is ultimately forced to face his grave… No thanks. Your future seems infinitely brighter drinking a Cranberry Christmas Yet to Come cocktail. It’s bubbly, fun and best of all, doesn’t include the shadow of death.

If you have a Scrooge in your life this holiday season, or if you’re just looking to enjoy some delicious spiked wintry drinks, make these three festive Christmas “Spirits” (and we promise — there are no ghosts involved).

Spiked Peppermint Mocha

  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 minutes
  • Servings: 1
  • Easy
Ingredients
  • 1 packet hot chocolate mix
  • 1 cup water (plus more for rim of glass)
  • 3/4 oz peppermint vodka
  • 3/4 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 dollop whipped cream
  • Sprinkles (we used red and green)
  • 1 candy cane

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 1

Fill a bowl 1/2 inch deep with water, and spread sprinkles onto a plate. Dip rim of serving glass first into the water, then into the sprinkles so they stick.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 2

Heat the water for 2 minutes in the microwave. Add hot chocolate mix and stir (or if you wanna get fancy, make it from scratch).

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 3

Pour coffee liqueur and vodka into the prepared, rimmed glass.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 4

Pour in hot chocolate and stir.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 5

Top with whipped cream and decorate with sprinkles and a candy cane.

#SpoonTip: The candy cane acts as a sweet stirring-stick.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Peppermint White Russian

  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Servings: 1
  • Easy
Ingredients
  • 3/4 oz peppermint vodka
  • 3/4 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 candy cane
  • Milk
  • Ice

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 1

Place unwrapped candy cane in a sealable plastic sandwich bag. Crush with a rolling pin or any tool with a flat end, until the candy cane has reached a fine texture.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 2

Pour coffee liqueur and vodka into your prepared serving glass.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 3

Fill glass to the brim with ice and top off with milk.

#SpoonTip: Can’t do dairy? Try one of these delicious milk substitutes instead.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 4

Finish with a candy-cane (can also act as a stirring stick.)

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Cranberry Cocktail

  • Prep Time: 4 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 minutes
  • Servings: 1
  • Easy
Ingredients
  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 tablespoon dried cranberries
  • 1/2 lemon
  • Cranberry juice
  • Lemon-lime soda

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 1

Juice half a lemon into a mixing glass.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 2

Add gin to the lemon juice.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 3

Pour lemon and gin mixture into a glass with ice.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 4

Fill glass 2/3 of the way with cranberry juice.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 5

Top off with lemon-lime soda.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Step 6

Drop in dried cranberries.

Step 7

Serve chilled — enjoy sipping on a bright and bubbly representation of your future.

Photo by Claire Tromblee

Still need to get in that Christmas spirit?