MAKE the festive season extra special with a flourish of Christmas cocktails.

Whether it’s for Christmas day, New Year’s Eve or a unique tipple to get the party season started, a round of Christmas cocktails is a great way to celebrate.

Lakeside Hotel & Spa, on the southern shore of Windermere, always sees an upturn in requests for cocktails during the countdown to Christmas.

The hotel’s Food and Beverage Manager Jordan Popov, said: “Cocktails have become very fashionable and have definitely become part of an overall dining experience here at Lakeside. That might be as an apéritif while they are looking at the dinner menu or to help savour the atmosphere after a main meal.

“Even for people who don’t usually drink cocktails, it’s the time of year when everyone wants to raise a glass with something a bit more unusual. Take ginger and cranberry infused Christmas Cosmopolitans, which give the traditional Cosmo a special festive twist.

“Meanwhile, Amaretto Fizz is a classic combination of Disaronno, sparkling wine and orange juice, with many of our guests opting to combine with a festive afternoon tea overlooking Windermere as a memorable treat.

“Other favourites here at Lakeside include a Gingerbread Bellini, to bring a classsic Christmas ginger biscuit into a simple Prosecco cocktail. Aromatic spices and fruity favourites like apple, cinnamon and ginger are also great choices for enjoying alongside a roaring log fire.

“Or for some ultimate indulgence, Baileys Chocolate Orange is an ultra-luxurious choice, combining Baileys chocolate luxe, grand marnier and a touch of cinnamon.

“Don’t forget there are also plenty of non-alcoholic Christmas drinks recipes too. Warming spices and mulling fruits are great basic ingredients for festive mocktails and alternative party apéritifs with none of the alcohol.”

If you feel inspired to re-create some mixology magic, here are a few firm favourites from Lakeside’s Christmas cocktail menu to help spread the Christmas cheer:

1. Christmas Cosmopolitan

80ml Cranberry Juice

25ml Vodka

25ml Ginger Wine

Lime Wedge

• Put plenty of ice with the vodka, ginger wine and cranberry juice

• Squeeze the lime into your shaker or stirring glass

• Shake or stir vigorously for about 20 seconds

• Strain the mix into a cocktail glass

• Decorate with orange peel

2. Apple & Cinnamon Martini

10ml Warm Apple Juice

50ml Vodka

Cinnamon Stick

• Warm your apple juice in a pan pour into your cocktail glass

• Add the vodka

• Stir with the cinnamon stick to flavour

3. Gingerbread Bellini

125ml Champagne

10ml Ginger Wine

10ml Hazelnut Liquor

1 Brown Sugar Cube

• Place the brown sugar cube in the bottom of a champagne flute and top with the champagne.

• Put plenty of ice with the ginger wine and hazelnut liquor into your shaker

• Stir together for about 15 seconds

• Strain this into the champagne

4. Snowball

50ml Advocaat

Dash of Lemonade

Lime wedge

Ice

• Fill a tall glass with ice

• Add the lime juice and Advocaat, then top up with the lemonade

• Stir well and serve immediately