An Australian summer Christmas doesn’t necessarily conjure up images of warm egg nog and hot chocolate by the fire. Instead, we turn to cool Christmas drinks to keep us feeling refreshed and hydrated.
We’ve got a selection of cool Christmas drink recipes for everyone to enjoy – some are perfect for the whole family, and some are just for the adults, because we deserve a special treat on Christmas day too!
Cool Orange Rosehip Tea
Iced tea is a great way to keep the masses hydrated and offers something a little more interesting than water. It’s a cool Christmas drink that is easy to make up a jug or 2 in advance and this Cool Orange Rosehip Tea is just delicious.
Prep: 6:20 Hrs and Mins
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
- 1 small orange
- 3 rosehip tea bags
- 1 whole vanilla bean
- 5 cups boiling water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ice cubes, to serve
METHOD
Step 1
Using a vegetable peeler, peel rind from orange in wide strips. Wrap orange in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until required. Using a knife, remove white pith from rind. Place rind, tea bags and vanilla bean in a large, heatproof jug. Add boiling water. Stand for 5 minutes.
Step 2
Remove rind, tea bags and vanilla bean. Add honey. Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight or until chilled. Chop reserved orange. Add to tea mixture. Serve with ice.
Recipe source: www.taste.com.au
Iced Tropical Fruit Drink
Nothing says summer quite like tropical flavours and blended ice drinks. Iced Tropical Fruit Drink is both of those in one and it’s sure to be a popular cool Christmas drink when the weather gets warm on Christmas Day.
Prep: 0:05 Mins
Serves: 6
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 small red papaya, seeded, chopped
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 3/4 cup crushed ice
- 1 small pineapple
- 1/4 cup crushed ice, extra
- Ayam Palm Sugar Syrup, to drizzle
METHOD:
Step 1
Blend papaya, banana and 3/4 cup crushed ice in a blender until smooth. Divide among glasses.
Step 2
Blend pineapple and 1/4 cup extra crushed ice in a blender until smooth. Stir into glasses.
Step 3
Add ice cubes and drizzle with a little Ayam Palm sugar syrup.
Recipe source: www.taste.com.au
Red Sangria
Sangria is superbly summery. The combination of brightly coloured liquid and fruit pieces together with the sweet and juicy flavours makes sangria a festively fun and cool Christmas drink.
Prep: 0:20 Mins
Makes: 8
INGREDIENTS:
- 2/3 cup brandy
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 royal gala apple, cut into thin wedges
- 750ml bottle pinot noir, chilled
- 1 tablespoon rosewater
- 125g raspberries
- 1 cup chilled orange juice
- 1 cup crushed ice
- 1 cup fresh mint sprigs
METHOD:
Step 1
Place brandy and sugar in a large bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add orange, lime and lemon slices and apple. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Step 2
Combine brandy mixture, wine, rosewater, raspberries, orange juice and ice in a large serving jug. Serve garnished with mint.
Recipe source: www.taste.com.au
Raspberry Kiss Sparkling Wine Cocktail
This cool Christmas drink definitely fits the bill for a festive beverage. Bubbling with excitement, a Raspberry Kiss Sparkling Wine Cocktail, with it’s green and red garnish is just the thing for your Christmas Day celebration.
Prep: 0:10 Mins
Cook: 0:10 Mins
Serves: 8
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups fresh raspberries or frozen raspberries, plus extra to serve
- 1/2 cup caster sugar, plus extra to coat
- 2 tablespoons brandy
- 750ml bottle sparkling wine, chilled
- Fresh mint leaves, to serve
METHOD
Step 1
Place raspberries, sugar and 1/3 cup water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens and raspberries have broken down. Remove from heat. Cool for 5 minutes.
Step 2
Push raspberry mixture through a fine sieve, discarding solids (you’ll need 2/3 cup in total). Add brandy. Stir to combine. Set aside to cool completely.
Step 3
Dip the rim of each glass in water, then press in extra sugar to coat. Divide raspberry mixture among serving glasses. Top with sparkling wine.
Step 4
Thread extra raspberries and mint leaves onto toothpicks as a garnish and serve.
Recipe source: www.taste.com.au
Mint Pineapple Crush
Frozen, tropical flavours are the order of the day with this cool Christmas drink. Escape the mayhem of Christmas Day and take yourself to a tropical paradise with a Mint Pineapple Crush.
Prep: 0:05 Mins
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups (300g) Frozen Pineapple Pieces
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
- 1 1/2 cups (375ml) pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup (80ml) Bacardi or Malibu
- 2 tbs lime juice
- Mint sprigs, to serve
- Lime wedges, to serve
METHOD:
Step 1
Place the pineapple pieces, mint leaves, pineapple juice, Bacardi or Malibu and lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth.
Step 2
Pour the pineapple mixture evenly among serving glasses. Decorate with the mint sprigs and serve with lime wedges.
Tip: To make this a family friendly treat, without the alcohol, simply replace the Bacardi or Malibu with extra pineapple juice.
Recipe source: www.taste.com.au