Not into the faux holiday invented to give Aussies a cool yule time? These recipes should convince you to get involved.
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Unless you’re picturing white sandy beaches, it’s unlikely in Australia. But when we’re talking about Christmas in July, things can be a little colder, a little cosier and a little more ugly-Christmas-jumper appropriate. A little more like in the movies.
This faux holiday is also an opportunity to do festivities your way (without the family pressure), with the people you want, and a roast dinner you actually want to eat because it isn’t 38 degrees outside. And you know what else Christmas in July is perfect for? It’s the ideal opportunity to mix up some Christmassy drinks, and there’s more than just mulled wine.
Ahead, we round up some yule-time sips to make your Christmas in July that extra bit festive – and delicious.
Serve it: On arrival to kickstart the festivities.
You may be doing things northern hemisphere-style, but that doesn’t mean there’s no place for the Australian classic (with a twist) at your Christmas in July bash. Pavlova is the ultimate Chrissy dessert, and the Spritz is one of the most crowd-pleasing sips, so it makes sense they join forces to become the perfect welcome drink. Chin, chin!
Serve it: As a creamy treat to kick off festivities, or post-dinner in place of dessert.
This creamy, zesty and spritzy cocktail is a true Christmas cracker, with the inclusion of the dutch liqueur advocaat to thank for its indulgent palate. Mixed together with lime juice, fino sherry, sugar syrup and sparkling wine, the Snowball hits all the right yuletide notes, complete with a sprinkling of that ultimate Christmas ingredient, nutmeg, on top.
Serve it: As the ultimate wintery twist on the Aperol Spritz.
Bringing together everything you know and love about the Aperol Spritz, this Hot Winter Spritz warms things up – both in temperature and added depth of flavour. This is done with the addition of cinnamon in the mix, along with a clove-studded orange as a garnish in the drink. This is Christmasy comfort in a glass.
Serve it: As a bit of a novelty. No doubt all your guests will have heard of it, but few will have tried it, so the crowd will gather to sip and give their thoughts.
Is there anything more Christmas-episode-of-an-American-sitcom than Eggnog? It has a real old-world charm, but egg, milk, cream and rum… it doesn’t translate to summer. Like, at all. So, Christmas in July is your opportunity to mix this one up and enjoy it. Eggnog doesn’t have to just be made with rum either. Whiskey, pisco or Cognac all work perfectly, too. Or you can leave it alcohol-free for a creamy treat.
Serve it: In your grandma’s wedding crystal glass with – or as – dessert.
Amaretto, nutmeg and bitters put the Christmas in the Christmas Whiskey Flip. Rich, creamy and quite fancy in a 1970s-dinner-on-the-lazy-susan kind of way, “Flips” as a cocktail category have actually been around since the 1600s. So, really retro. Like Eggnog, flips contain a full whole egg, but no cream or milk. Make them when you really want to impress – and please, one at a time in the cocktail shaker only. Flips don’t do well in batches.
Serve it: When you hit play on Frank Sinatra’s Christmas playlist.
As the place where the ultimate movie Christmas is made – from Home Alone 2 to Miracle of 34th St and Elf – New York is home to a vast majority of festive childhood dreams. To pay tribute to the Big Apple, and all the Christmas specials it’s backdropped, mix up a Manhattan. Spicy, slightly bitter and just the right amount of sweetness, Manhattans are the bomb, and due for a comeback.
Serve it: When guests have just come in from the cold.
Think seriously smooth hot chocolate taken to new heights with a switch to indulgent white chocolate and the inclusion of vodka. This true winter warmer will have guests DMing you for the recipe. Plus, it’s not Christmas without chocolate. Or Baileys, perhaps. The addition of cloves, nutmeg and orange peel gives it a subtle bitterness and festive scent, and the vodka adds a toasty kick. It goes without saying, but this drink is equally delicious without the vodka, so zero% options are on offer.
