How to make Christmas cocktails, the Hollywood way

Actor Stanley Tucci shares his take on three classic cocktails to get you in the mood for the holiday season.

If you’re fed up of the Baileys and the wine has run dry, a Christmas cocktail could be just what you need. And what better cocktails to drink than ones that have been created by actor Stanley Tucci?

Not only has he given these a Hollywood twist, but for cocktails they’re also pretty straightforward to make, needing minimal ingredients and just a shake here and a stir there.

Which one will you be making?

Christmas cocktails -Credit: Shutterstock / Svetlana Khutornaia

1. Christmas Cosmopolitan

How to make a Cosmopolitan with a festive twist

A twist on the classic cocktail, this brings together the festive taste of cranberries with pomegranates.

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What is muddling?

Muddling is a method of lightly mashing fruit, herbs, and spices for cocktails.

You will need (serves 1)

  • 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds
  • 50ml Ketel One vodka
  • 25ml Cointreau
  • 25ml cranberry juice (either unsweetened or cranberry juice cocktail, your preference)
  • 25ml pomegranate juice
  • ice
  • 1 raspberry, 1 mint leaf and fresh rosemary, to garnish

Method

  1. Put the pomegranate seeds into a shaker and muddle. Add the booze, the juices and ice and shake well.
  2. Strain into a coupe or Martini glass and garnish with a raspberry and a mint leaf, skewered with a small stalk of rosemary.
  3. Drink and have a happier holiday!

2. Negroni

How to make Stanley Tucci’s negroni

This past year I began a relationship with a negroni and I am happy to say it’s going very well.

There are those who consider serving this ‘straight up’ (shaken with, but served without, ice in a cocktail glass) to be an act of spirituous heresy.

But they needn’t get so upset: I never planned on inviting them to my home anyway.

You will need (serves 1)

  • 50ml gin
  • 25ml Campari
  • 25ml sweet vermouth
  • ice
  • 1 slice orange, twisted

Method

  1. Pour the booze into a cocktail shaker filled with ice
  2. Shake well and strain into a coupe glass
  3. Garnish with a slice of orange
  4. Sit down, drink, feel the sun in your stomach

3. Old-fashioned

How to make an Old Fashioned, the Tucci way

A great drink for any season – or reason. You could also make this with Scotch or Irish whiskey, if you prefer.

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You will need (serves 1)

  • 1 tsp simple syrup
  • a few dashes of Angostura bitters
  • 2 shots of rye or bourbon whiskey
  • ice
  • 1 slice orange, twisted, and cherries, to garnish
  1. Add the simple syrup into an old fashioned glass (aka a rocks glass).
  2. Next, add the bitters, then the booze and ice, stir, and garnish with the fruit skewered on a cocktail stick.

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Taste by Stanley Tucci

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Taste by Stanley Tucci

Adapted from Taste: My Life Through Good by Stanley Tucci (Penguin / Fig Tree) out now in paperback.

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Written by Stanley Tucci

Updated: