The holidays are not just for gift giving, it is a time when entertaining is full swing. Everyone wants their holiday parties to be unique and memorable. One great way to mark a special occasion is with food and drinks that will get family and friends in a festive mood. Regular wine and beer may be good for an ordinary get together, but when truly special times roll around during the winter holidays, special cocktails are in order.

Making drinks for entertaining is also a great way to pamper your guests during any season of the year. The drinks on your holiday menu can be simple to extreme, with fancy liquors and garnishes to make them beautiful as well as tasty.

1. The classic Boulevardier
A classy and traditional holiday cocktail is the boulevardier, which opts for bourbon, sweet vermouth, and campari. This flavorful aperitif can be served prior to a family dinner or potluck. You can even make up a big batch in advance to serve all of your guests, by combining 12 ounces of bourbon, 9 ounces of campari, and 9 ounces of sweet vermouth. Stir the mixture together and refrigerate until guests arrive. This drink can be garnished with a twist of grapefruit upon serving.

2. Tom Collins
Give the Tom Collins a tangy twist by adding tangerine juice instead of lemon juice for a sweeter tangerine Collins. Fresh clementines or tangelos can be squeezed ahead of time to use in this cocktail along with a cinnamon stick garnish to make it more festive.

3. Blood orange margarita
Another seasonal drink is a blood orange Margarita. This drink can be prepared in a winter-appropriate cocktail that’s a fresh change from the original lime, taquila, and salt rim classic. Try using sparkling apple cider, ginger beer, bourbon, and beer combined together make a wonderful crowd-pleasing holiday drink that screams “let’s party”!

4. Mimosa
The mimosa may be often associated with brunch, but this staple concoction of orange juice and champagne is effervescent drink that will liven up any holiday party. Let guests serve themselves by placing bottles of champagne (or prosecco) out on tables along with orange and pink grapefruit juice. This way your party-goers can decide alcohol content vs. juice ratio in their drinks.

5. Holiday punch
If you have access to a punch bowl a fruity holiday punch is always welcome at any party, especially if you offer a non-alcoholic version for kids and non drinkers. In a big punch bowl, combine ginger ale and club soda (or 7-Up) with fresh berries or fruit chunks, and vodka. Leave the vodka out for a festive non alcoholic version. The great thing about a punch bowl is that you can be innovative by mixing up your own drink with whatever liquor you have on hand.

6. Beer clubs and wine clubs
Of course, beer and wine are always staples at holiday parties for those who don’t favor fancy cocktails. If you belong to a monthly beer or wine club, you’ll have craft beers and local wines delivered right to your door for any special occasion. These monthly clubs are a great way to ensure you have alcohol on hand for impromptu guests do drop by.