And, as Californians, we're all about cocktails with flavors of the Golden State. As in ones that celebrate the season's produce -- from pomegranates to grapes and lots and lots of citrus -- and local wines.
Since California is the top producer of wine in the United States, it's only natural that those cocktails be made with wines ranging from a classic buttery Chardonnay and a fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon to a bubbly brut sparkling wine and a spiced Zinfandel.
The best holiday cocktails are ones that are easy to make, very festive, and can be served at a variety of gatherings, be it a cocktail party, at a winter brunch, or simply cozying up next to a fire with a good book.
In partnership with California Grown and California Wines,we're sharing drink ideas for all of those occasions, so you have plenty of inspiration for how to toast the holiday season.
From mulled wine to red wine hot chocolate and sangria to twist on the classic kir royale, here are 15 wine-based cocktail recipes:
Yes, we love a classic Aperol Spritz, but a twist on that we think is not nearly as popular as it should be is the white Spritz, also known as The Hugo.
Made with a touch of bubbles, elderflower liqueur, and lemon, this St Germain sparkling wine cocktail is a major crowd-pleaser.
To make it even more seasonally appropriate, we recommend using Meyer lemons or mandarins in place of the lemon.
Best California Wine To Pour:Use a sparkling California Muscat or a demi-sec sparkling wine to bring a dash of sweetness to this spritzer.
At first glance, the simplicity of this cocktail -- a cardamom and pear simple syrup combined with sparkling wine -- seems too easy to be interesting. But one sip will surely change your mind.
If you only make one of the sparkling wine cocktail recipes listed here, have it be this, the Golden Night, because it has a heady spice that feels so at home during the holiday season.
Oh, and did we mention it's extremely food-friendly?
Best California Wine To Pour:Use brut sparkling wine, so you have lots of fizz, some freshness, but not too much added sweetness.
Made with pomegranate liqueur, ginger juice, apple cider, and brut sparkling wine, this is an easy punch recipe that's not too sweet, not too boozy, and just right for the holidays.
While we have a few ginger wine-based cocktails on this list, this is by far our favorite for making into a punch. It's a session cocktail that can be sipped over the course of a night and only gets better as it sits.
Best California Wine To Pour:Use brut sparkling wine, so you have lots of fizz, some freshness, but not too much added sweetness.
Of the list of classic French wine cocktail recipes, the Classic Kir Royale surely is the best known.
But, seeing as the Golden State grows almost 100% of the U.S. pomegranate crop, this California twist on the Kir Royale by Kate of ¡Hola! Jalapeno is made with pomegranates, brut sparkling wine, and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Best California Wine To Pour:Use brut sparkling wine, so you have lots of fizz, some freshness, but not too much added sweetness.
Stirring a port-style wine into a cocktail may not be the top of your mind when it comes to wine cocktail ideas. But it should be because port wine cocktails have a balance of sweetness and depth that is fabulous.
Here a California port-style wine combines with a brut sparkling wine and fresh raspberries for a looker of a sipper.
If your favorite way to entertain is with an all-out brunch and some bubbly drinks, then you'll definitely want to make this cocktail.
Here Rachel Hollis updates the classic Bellini cocktail with a lavender simple syrup that adds a floral note without being too far astray from the classic.
Best California Wine To Pour: Use a sparkling California Muscat or a demi-sec sparkling wine to bring a little sweetness to this classic cocktail.
Another go-to cocktail during winter brunches is this sweet, herbal grapefruit cocktail.
Like a greyhound meets a sage sparkling wine cocktail, this Sparkling Sage Grapefruit Cocktail can be made by the glass or the pitcher to accommodate however many guests you have!
Best California Wine To Pour:Use brut sparkling wine, so you have lots of fizz, some freshness, but not too much added sweetness.
One look at the name of this cocktail, and it may seem too tame for holiday entertaining.
But the spiced apple-basil honey syrup brings a ton of flavor yet is lightened up thanks to the addition of sparkling wine. It works as well at a brunch as it would at a New Years' party.
Best California Wine To Pour: Use a sparkling California Muscat or a demi-sec sparkling wine to bring a little sweetness to this spritzer.
Yes, this white wine cocktail also has an herbed honey syrup, but that's because it's a subtle (and easy!) way to bring out the flavors in the wine you use.
The herbal sweet honey thyme syrup in this Gold Rush cocktail can go one of two ways depending on which white wine you use to make it: either contrast it using a buttery oaked Chardonnay or underline the flavors by using it a fresher, mineral-y white.
Best California Wine To Pour:To bring some buttery and vanilla notes, opt for an oaked Chardonnay. Or, if you want the cocktail to be a bit fresher, use an unoaked, minerally Chardonnay.
If you're partial to the combination of cranberry and orange, then this is the holiday cocktail for you. The orange bitters bring a touch of spiced citrus, while the cranberry adds a sweet-tart note.
And the whole lot is made a gorgeous shade of Christmas red thanks to the addition of California rosé wine.
Sangria is one of those recipes that only seems to come out during the hot weather months, but that's a shame because it's just as fitting in the cold weather months, which is why we're sharing a handful of sangria recipes.
This one is made with dry white wine, blood orange juice, orange liqueur, and berries for a cheery cocktail that is a perfect addition to your next brunch.
Best California Wine To Pour:Use a dry white wine like an unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, which will enhance the fruit flavors of the sangria.
If you're looking for a drink that's as gorgeous on display as it is easy to make, this is it. The apple cider comes with orange juice, maple syrup, and red wine for a festive take on classic red wine sangria.
But if we're going to talk uber classic holiday sippers, then we must talk mulled wine. If you haven't made mulled wine before, we absolutely insist you start with this recipe. It's as festive as it gets and fills the whole house with classic holiday smells.
The only thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to let it boil; otherwise, you'll cook off all the alcohol!
Best California Wine To Pour:A Cabernet Sauvignon with its concentrated dark red fruit flavors -- blackberry and black currant -- and hints of mocha will bring another dimension to this mulled wine.
Another hot red wine cocktail that's a must-make during the holidays is this spiked hot chocolate. Made in a slow cooker with chocolate chips, brown sugar, cinnamon, coconut milk, and red wine, this is super simple to put together and great when you need a drink that doubles as dessert!
Best California Wine To Pour:For a more mellow wine note, opt for an approachable Merlot. Or, bring a bold spiced note -- ahem, black pepper, and cloves -- use a Zinfandel.
Sponsored Post: This article was brought to you by Discover California Wines. Thanks for supporting these sponsors who help us keep Salt & Wind Travel up and running!
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