The Christmas cocktails that have made Santa’s naughty list

Looking for a break from the bubbly?

We asked four of Perth’s top mixologists to share a recipe for the ultimate festive season tipple that even novices can recreate at home.

From a seasonal martini to the perfect punch for larger groups, think of these cocktails as Christmas in a glass — classic summer flavours with a festive twist.

Whether you’re hosting a laidback lunch or a more formal affair (or are already planning your New Year’s Eve celebration), they’re guaranteed to impress your guests this silly season.

Festive Punch

By Nic Lee, mixologist at Lobby Lounge at Crown Perth

Tastes like Christmas in a glass!

15ml Ketel One Vodka

15ml Pimms

15ml rhubarb liqueur

15ml fig syrup

30ml cranberry juice

60ml apple cider

3 drops spiced cranberry bitters

apple pieces, cranberries, rosemary and a burnt cinnamon stick, to garnish

Add a few cubes of ice to any glassware, and build the ingredients over the top one by one.

Give it a gentle stir to mix, and top with apple pieces, cranberries, rosemary and a burnt cinnamon stick.

Christmas Gin Treat

By Nic Lee, mixologist at Lobby Lounge at Crown Perth

The ultimate festive cocktail, this is a refreshing Christmas Day (or any day really) treat for the senses.

30ml Gordon’s Pink Gin

15ml Galliano Vanilla

15ml Creme De Cacao

15ml cherry syrup

5ml cinnamon syrup

15ml cranberry juice

15ml lemon juice

salt, to rim the glass

1 marschino cherry and 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, to garnish

3 drops Wonderfoam (cocktail foam — if this is not available the cocktail can be made without)

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and double-strain into a pre-chilled, salt-rimmed coupe glass.

Garnish with a maraschino cherry and rosemary wreath.

Mistletoe Martini

By Oscar Hegge, bartender at Cypher at The Beaufort

The classic martini gets a Christmas makeover with the Mistletoe Martini — a crisp, floral-kissed cocktail inspired by the subtle sweetness of festive berries and the ritual of sneaking a kiss under the mistletoe. Balancing clean, bright vodka, tart cranberry with a whisper of herbal warmth, it’s the perfect December sipper for anyone who prefers their Christmas spirit served shaken and chilled.

45ml premium vodka

45ml cranberry juice

15ml elderflower liqueur

5ml sugar syrup

dash of plum bitters

2 cherries and 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, to garnish

Add all ingredients (except the garnishes) to a shaker with ice and shake until icy cold. Double strain into a coupe glass.

Garnish with a rosemary sprig and two cherries for that mistletoe-moment sparkle.

White Christmas

By Jordan Philips, bar operations manager at Hillarys Beach Club

Think of this as Christmas in a glass — rich, festive and a little cheeky yet still totally crushable in the Aussie summer sun.

⁠45ml Kraken rum (or any spiced rum)

15ml Mr Black coffee liqueur (or another coffee liqueur)

⁠60ml cream

20ml sweetened condensed milk

15ml Baileys

a little fresh lime zest (just grate a bit of the peel)

⁠Fill a short glass with ice. This is your base.

⁠Pour in the spirits. Add the spiced rum and coffee liqueur directly over the ice.

To make the creamy topping, in a separate small bowl or cup, mix together the cream, sweetened condensed milk and Baileys. Whisk or shake until it’s smooth and slightly thickened.

To layer the cream mixture, slowly pour the cream mixture over the back of a spoon so it gently settles on top of the rum and coffee layer instead of mixing in.

To finish, grate a little lime peel over the top for a fresh aroma.

Fig Leaf Martini

By Jack Collins, bar manager at Pearla & Co

Makes 4 cocktails

2 fresh fig leaves

300ml white rum

50g caster sugar

75ml apricot brandy

Idee Fixe Margaret River Premier Brut

Place fig leaves, rum, brandy and sugar in a blender and pulse until leaves are broken into small pieces.

Pour into a container, cover and steep at room temperate for 24 hours.

Strain through cheesecloth or other fine filter and chill till needed.

To serve, pour one part fig leaf liqueur to 1½ parts Idee Fixe into frozen martini glasses.