Entertaining

Marvelous Holiday Batch Cocktails You Can Make in Advance

Greg Horton, ReserveBar Spirits Contributor

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While the holidays can be some of the best and most meaningful times of the year, they can also be stressful with packed schedules, travel, family get-togethers, and larger-than-normal dinner parties. For cocktail lovers, putting together a dinner party or family celebration can mean dozens of craft cocktails for all different tastes. Two things that can help reduce stress, save time, and please your guests are batch cocktails and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. And if you’ve never considered tequila a holiday spirit, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you can do with Cazadores Tequila and RTDs.

Pro tip: The stirring/shaking process always adds water, so when batching, add approximately 1.25 ounces of distilled water per cocktail to the batch. The alternative is to pour each cocktail individually over ice, stir/shake, and then strain over fresh ice.

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Paloma Punch

Cazadores Blanco is the easiest to blend of the Cazadores line of tequilas, but it doesn’t do so by sacrificing flavor or character. The delicious agave notes come through, and the clean finish creates a solid base for many cocktails, including a festive, seasonal punch.

Recipe Serves 12:

750ml bottle Cazadores Blanco Tequila
12 oz. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
6 oz. Freshly squeezed lime juice
6 oz. Agave syrup
1 bottle Ruffino Prosecco

Combine all ingredients except Prosecco in a punch bowl and stir well. Add grapefruit and lime wheels to the mix. Right before serving, add the bottle of Prosecco and stir gently. To keep chilled, add large-format ice cubes. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.

To make the agave syrup, combine equal parts agave nectar and distilled water in a small pan, bring to a slow boil, then simmer until parts are well combined.

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Spiked Cranberry-Ginger Apple Cider

Cazadores Reposado has a little more weight and seriousness thanks to the barrel aging, but it’s still versatile enough to work in a multitude of cocktails, adding depth and complexity to classics and craft. The seasonal food on the table also provides an opportunity to build cocktails that echo the flavors or contrast the flavors or sweet to savory spectrum. One way to help with the variety on the table is to go tart with fresh cranberries and ginger.

Recipe Serves 12:

750ml bottle Cazadores Reposado Tequila
48 Dashes Hella Ginger Bitters
6 oz. Fresh lemon juice
9 oz. Cranberry syrup
Apple Cider, no sugar added

Combine ingredients except cider in a large pitcher and stir well. This one will need to be served individually from the batched base. Refrigerate until ready to serve, then pour individually over ice, shake well, and strain over fresh ice in a Collins glass. Fill to wash line. Garnish with fresh cranberries.

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Añejo Old Fashioned

Cazadores Añejo, like bourbon, is meant to be enjoyed neat, over a rock, or as the star of a cocktail. The perfect way to celebrate the cinnamon, vanilla, and deep toasty agave notes is by batching a Tequila Old Fashioned. The flavors in the Añejo complement many of the dishes on the dinner table, but the sweetness also works well as an after-dinner drink or dessert. For a spicy kick, include Hella Smoked Chili Bitters instead of the traditional aromatic bitters.

Recipe Serves 12:

750ml bottle Cazadores Añejo Tequila
24 Dashes aromatic or smoked chili bitters
3 oz. Agave simple syrup
12-15 oz. Distilled water

Combine ingredients in a large pitcher, stir well, and refrigerate for later use. After serving, garnish with orange peel and cinnamon stick. To make the agave syrup, combine equal parts agave nectar and distilled water in a small pan, bring to a slow boil, then simmer until parts are well combined.

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Cazadores also makes it easy to put cocktails on the table with their RTD line, including 12-ounce cans and a 750ml bottle (Paloma and Margarita only). The cans come in four delicious choices: classic Margarita, Spicy Margarita, Paloma, and Ranch Water, the latter of which is light, refreshing, and perfect for pairing with the variety on the table. The 12-ounce cans are technically two servings, which means the four-pack serves eight.

Whatever your preference for your holiday gathering, Cazadores has an expression that will make your gathering more festive and delicious. For the serious tequila lover, though, consider a neat pour of Cazadores Cristalino or Extra Añejo. Both are perfect after-dinner drinks for the tequila connoisseur.

Shop the full Cazadores collection here.

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