12 stiff cocktails to get you through the 12 Days of Christmas

Sure, the lyrics to “The 12 Days of Christmas” are classic, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need a little tweaking to add in some more holiday spirit — or spirits, that is.

Retreat from the stress of the 12 days leading up to Christmas with 12 special holiday cocktails. These recipes will get ya where you need to go.

On the first day of Christmas…

Berry & pear tree martini recipe

Yields 1 martini

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces pear vodka
• 1-1/2 ounces cranberry juice
• 1-1/2 ounces blackberry brandy
• Juice of half a lemon
• Few drops simple syrup
• 1 pear (optional)

Directions:

1. Put all of your ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass.
2. Garnish drink with a pear slice.

Next: More Christmas cocktails

Originally published December 2015. Updated December 2016.