As October comes upon us our thoughts turn to the changing weather – and inevitably towards Christmas. And as this is often the busiest time for bars and restaurants it’s good to plan ahead to make the most of the opportunities the festive season offers. So here are some ideas for your Christmas trade – mix it all up, make some seasonal cocktails, call them what you want – and bring some cheer to your customers when the time comes. We at CS Drinks offer a full range of syrup mixers to help with all that your imagination can conjure up. Cheers.

Christmas cocktails add warmth and festive cheer to holiday gatherings, blending seasonal flavours like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger with both traditional and creative mixes of spirits. These drinks often reflect the cosy, comforting atmosphere of the season, whether you’re having a pre-dinner cocktail or buying a round of drinks in a bar for family and friends.

A classic favourite is Eggnog, a rich and creamy drink made from milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and often spiked with rum, bourbon, or brandy. Garnished with a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon, it’s like Christmas nostalgia in a glass. Another heart-warming option is a Hot Buttered Rum, a warm, spiced cocktail made by mixing rum with a blend of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves – perfect for a chilly winter evening.

For something sparkling and light, a Cranberry Mimosa offers a festive twist on the brunch favourite. Made with tart cranberry juice and bubbly champagne, it’s garnished with a sprig of rosemary or fresh cranberries for that extra festive touch. The Mulled Wine, simmered with spices like cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and orange slices, is a traditional Christmas drink almost wherever you go. The warm wine is aromatic and richly spiced, making it ideal for sipping during holiday celebrations.

For cocktail lovers looking for something more modern, a Peppermint Martini delivers a refreshing, minty take on the classic martini, typically made with vodka, white crème de menthe, and rimmed with crushed sugar. Similarly, a Gingerbread Old Fashioned adds a holiday twist to the whiskey-based cocktail by incorporating gingerbread syrup and spices.

Whether warming or refreshing, Christmas cocktails offer an abundance of festive flavours, adding a delicious touch of cheer to any holiday celebration.

I know it’s early – but season’s greetings AND – it’s good to be prepared.

Mocktails, or non-alcoholic cocktails, have gained immense popularity as more people seek flavourful alternatives to traditional drinks without suffering the effects of alcohol. These beverages are crafted with the same attention to detail as their alcoholic counterparts, combining various ingredients to create complex, refreshing, and exciting flavours. Post mix syrups are particularly well suited to creating the basis of some very interesting drinks. They give the entrepreneurial bar or restaurant owner a chance to enhance their brand among their clientele.  Mocktails often include a mix of fresh fruits, herbs, syrups, juices, sodas, and bitters, resulting in drinks that are both visually appealing and delicious. Let your creativity loose.

One of the main reasons for the rise in the popularity of mocktails is the growing trend toward wellness and moderation. Many people are choosing to reduce or eliminate alcohol from their diets, whether for health, religious, or personal reasons, and mocktails provide an inclusive way to enjoy social settings without the pressure to drink alcohol. They are ideal for designated drivers too, pregnant women, and those who simply prefer a non-alcoholic option.

Bars, restaurants, and event planners are responding to this demand by expanding their non-alcoholic offerings. Instead of just sodas or water, mocktails offer a more sophisticated and satisfying alternative. Some popular mocktails include the Virgin Mojito, which features mint, lime, and soda, and the Nogroni – a twist on the classic Negroni made with non-alcoholic spirits.

Additionally, the creativity behind mocktails has opened up a space for experimentation with ingredients like kombucha, cold-brew coffee and non-alcoholic botanical spirits.

This allows for endless customization, making mocktails suitable for all tastes and occasions. Whether served at a casual gathering or a formal event, mocktails deliver flavour, fun, and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a thoughtfully crafted beverage. Cheers from all at CS Drinks.

Rum-based cocktails are a diverse and flavourful contribution to the world of mixology, reflecting the versatility of rum as a spirit. Derived from sugarcane byproducts – like molasses or sugarcane juice – rum brings a rich, sweet, and often complex taste profile to cocktails. This makes it a perfect base for both classic and contemporary drinks, ranging from refreshing tropical beverages to robust, spirit-led concoctions. Rum and its mixers offer something for everyone.

Mojito

One of the most iconic rum-based cocktails is the Mojito, a Cuban classic that blends white rum, fresh mint, lime juice, sugar, and soda water. The result is a light, effervescent drink that’s perfect for warm weather. Similarly, the Daiquiri, another Cuban creation, combines white rum, lime juice, and a simple syrup, offering a balance of sweet and sour flavours. When frozen, it transforms into a slushy, perfect for beachside sipping.

Mai-tai

For those who prefer a stronger, more complex flavour, the Mai Tai is a quintessential rum cocktail that mixes aged rum with orange liqueur, lime juice, and orgeat syrup, topped with dark rum. This Polynesian-inspired drink is a staple of Tiki culture, known for its layered flavours and exotic presentation (see half coconut shells and miniature paper parasols). The Piña Colada, hailing from Puerto Rico, is another tropical favourite, blending rum with coconut cream and pineapple juice for a creamy, sweet treat.

An Old-fashioned

Dark rum also shines in cocktails like the Dark ‘n’ Stormy, a simple yet potent mix of dark rum and ginger beer, garnished with lime. The Rum Old Fashioned reimagines the classic whiskey cocktail by swapping in aged rum, bringing out its vanilla and caramel notes.

Whether enjoyed in a simple Rum and Coke or a complex Tiki creation, rum-based cocktails offer a wide array of flavours, perfect for any occasion.

Whether it’s a single malt, a bourbon or an American rye,  whisky is a versatile spirit, offering a rich and sophisticated palette of flavours that can be the basis for many cocktails. Here are five of the most popular:

Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is a classic whisky cocktail that dates back to the early 19th century. It’s made by muddling sugar with bitters, adding whisky (usually bourbon or rye), and a twist of citrus peel. This cocktail is known for its simplicity, allowing the whisky’s flavour to shine through. It’s typically served in a short, round glass with a large ice cube to maintain a slow melt, keeping the drink cool without diluting it too much.

Whisky Sour

The Whisky Sour is a balanced blend of whisky, lemon juice, and sugar syrup – often garnished with a cherry and an orange slice – this cocktail offers a perfect harmony of sweet and sour, with the whisky providing a strong alcohol backbone. Some variations include a dash of egg white, which adds a silky texture and a frothy top, enhancing the drink’s visual appeal.

Manhattan

The Manhattan is a sophisticated cocktail made with rye whisky, sweet vermouth, and a few dashes of bitters. It’s stirred with ice, strained into a chilled glass, and garnished with a maraschino cherry. The Manhattan is known for its smooth, slightly sweet and aromatic profile, making it a favourite among whisky enthusiasts. And if you’re ever in Manhattan!

Mint Julep

Traditionally associated with the Kentucky Derby and the southern states the Mint Julep is a refreshing cocktail made with bourbon, fresh mint, sugar, and crushed ice. Served in a frosty silver cup, it’s a perfect drink for warm weather, offering a cool, minty experience with the warmth of the bourbon coming through.

Rob Roy

The Rob Roy is a Scotch whisky version of the Manhattan. It’s made with Scotch – preferably a decent single malt – sweet vermouth, and bitters, often garnished with a lemon twist or cherry. The Rob Roy offers a slightly smoky and more robust flavour compared with its rye counterpart but is a great drink for those who love their scotch.

Vodka, known for its smooth and versatile nature forming the foundation for many of the best and most beloved cocktails. Here are five of the best vodka-based cocktails that showcase its adaptability and appeal.

Moscow Mule

A classic, the Moscow Mule combines vodka with ginger beer and lime juice, usually served in a copper mug that keeps the drink refreshingly cool – but that’s not mandatory. The sharpness of the ginger complements the smoothness of the vodka, while the lime adds a zesty kick. This cocktail is both simple and sophisticated and is perfect for any occasion, easily created at the bar with syrup mixes.

Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary is a savoury cocktail that can be as much of a meal as it is a drink. Made with vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper, it’s typically garnished with celery, olives, or even bacon. See what I mean. This drink is renowned as the ultimate brunch cocktail, offering a unique blend of spicy, tangy, and savoury flavours. For those historians among you it’s named in honour of England’s Queen Mary I, Henry VIII’s elder daughter, whose reputation was for executing those with whom she disagreed, usually with an appropriate amount of bloodletting.

Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan, or “Cosmo,” is a glamorous cocktail made famous by the TV series “Sex and the City.” It blends vodka with triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice and is served in a chilled martini glass. Very stylish. The Cosmopolitan is both tart and slightly sweet, making it a chic choice for those dedicated followers of fashion who enjoy a well-balanced drink.

Vodka Martini

The Vodka Martini is elegance and simplicity in a glass. Typically made with vodka and dry vermouth, this cocktail is served chilled and garnished with an olive or lemon twist. It’s the drink of choice for those who prefer their cocktails clean and strong, offering a pure, unadulterated vodka experience; but be careful – it carries a proper kick.

White Russian

The White Russian is a creamy, indulgent cocktail that combines vodka with coffee liqueur and cream or milk. This drink is smooth and rich, with the coffee liqueur providing a delightful contrast to the vodka’s sharpness. It’s perfect for sipping slowly, making it a favourite for after-dinner enjoyment. Almost a dessert in a glass.