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Looking for something a little bit different to drink this year?
To help inspire your cocktail creations this Christmas, we've asked drinks and mixology experts for their favourite festive cocktail recipes.
Experts including Salvatore Calabrese, The Mixology Brothers and Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown of Mixellany share easy-to-tackle recipe ideas, from indulgent winter warmers to fruity festive tipples - to bring some much-needed Christmas cheer.
Plus, we've rounded up three non-alcoholic recipe ideas, including a berry-flavoured mocktail and an alcohol-free alternative to mulled wine.
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You can experiment with different flavours in this fruity gin & jam cocktail from The Mixology Brothers, the cocktail event specialists and consultancy.
Try cranberry jam for a burst of festive flavour - also a good way to use up any spare cranberry sauce post christmas-dinner!
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This recipe, from Salvatore Calabrese, consultant, author and former President of the United Kingdom Bartenders' Guild, uses a chunk of sambuca-soaked Christmas pudding for a festive twist on the classic martini, with a flame for added drama.
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Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown, drink historians, writers and directors of drinks consultancy Mixellany, recommend this warming winter version of the 1920s Paris classic 'Bee's Knees'.
Made with tea, gin, honey and lemon juice and served warm, it's a great alternative to mulled wine or cider.
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This indulgent offering from Salvatore Calabrese uses creme de cacao in a twist on the traditional retro favourite.
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Since espresso martini was first created in 1983, countless twists have emerged - but according to Anistatia and Jared of Mixellany, none are quite as decadent as this mocha version with chocolate liqueur.
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This cheery creation, from Mixellany, combines cranberry juice, sparkling wine and triple sec to create a delicious drink in a festive hue.
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This simple yet delicious three-ingredient cocktail from The Mixology Brothers is perfect for Christmas celebrations.
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If you're feeling fruity, this rich, earthy cocktail from Salvatore Calabrese should hit the spot. It can be served on the rocks or straight up.
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This recipe from The Mixology Brothers adds a dash of chocolate liqueur for a spin on the classic rum-based cocktail.
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You can usually buy bitters, sugar syrup and other key cocktail kit in the alcohol aisle of bigger supermarkets.
Swift, a London-based cocktail bar, suggests this creamy and indulgent winter warmer made with Irish whiskey, coffee and cream.
Perfect if you want something cosy and rich with a bit of a kick to round off the evening.
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If you're looking for alcohol-free festive cocktail ideas, here are three mocktail recipes to try this Christmas.
This seasonal mocktail from The Mixology Brothers mixes fresh and fruity festive flavours with a traditional teatime twist.
Perfect to cut through the rich and heavy flavours of festive fare.
Try experimenting with different flavoured teas and types of berry.
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Method
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Anistatia Miller and Jared Brownof Mixellany recommend this easy, non-alcoholic alternative to mulled wine.
Ingredients (serves 6)
Method
For Hot Mulled Sloe Gin (alcoholic): add 250ml sloe gin a minute before serving.
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Our wine experts typically recommend ginger-based drinks as a good alternative to boozy versions, as the warming kick of ginger mimics the one you get from alcohol.
With his Ginger Alert recipe, Salvatore Calabrese gives us an energetic drink full of flavour that do the trick just perfectly.
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To make an alcoholic version, add50ml of whisky or dark rum.
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