Cocktails or: how I learn't to stop worrying and love Christmas

You may not be aware of this, but I'm possibly the most pessimistic of the Playful Promises team. And by the time Christmas rolls around I'm one big ball of grump. While the idea of doing nothing but eating thrills me more than words could say (see above: me last Christmas), I am soon reminded of just how long I can sit in the same room as my Grandmother and her notorious gum-chewing. 

And this is when delving into your drinks cabinet is a good idea. Those last drops of blue liqueur, decades old vodka and that stuff you can't even pronounce that smells like paint stripper... they can all come to good use in that wonderful cocktail shaker. 

Here is my little list of must-haves to tide you over until the new year!

Why Santa has a naughty list

You may notice that I'm a sucker for cocktails with silly names. I'm also a sucker for sweet cocktails!

• 30ml Amaretto
• 30ml Gin
• 30ml Liqueur, banana
• 15ml Grenadine
• Lemonade

 Use a long glass for this, adding crushed ice first, then your gin and amaretto. Top up with lemonade while adding grenadine slowly, then layer the banana liqueur on top.

Snowflaketini

• 40ml Alizé (Passionfruit liqueur)
• 30ml Vodka
• 1 splash Cranberry Juice
• 1 wedge Lemon
• 2 sprinkles Coconut

An easy one - chuck it all into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake and pour into a martini glass. Sprinkle the coconut on top and sugar rim the glass if you are feeling fancy!

 The Grinch

• 60ml Midori (melon liqueur)
• 15ml lemon juice
• 1 tsp simple syrup
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Representing the change that came over the Grinch, this super sweet cocktail is another easy shaker. Pop everything in a shaker with ice, shake and serve in a martini glass with the cherry for garnish.

Cranberry Cutie

For those good girls and boys that like their drinks untainted! 

• 60ml red cranberry juice
• 60ml apple juice
• 15ml honey
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Shake and pour into a martini glass, garnish with cherry.