7 Easy and Affordable Cocktails for Your Holiday Party

Isn't it nice how a fabulous cocktail sets the entire mood of a party? After all, when you have a good-looking and great-tasting drink in your hand, your mood is generally soarin' high!

Listed below are 7 simple (and inexpensive) holiday cocktails that you can make without breaking the bank.

1.) Cranberry Christmas

This delicious and fruity cocktail is the perfect shade of crimson. Here's what you need:

-1/2 ounce Cointreau

-1/2 ounce cranberry juice

-1 teaspoon lime juice (squeeze it fresh for the best taste)

-1 oz vodka

Combine all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake. Serve in a frosted martini glass (just place it in the freezer for a few hours). To garnish, add a few cranberries - they'll float!

2.) Peppermint Delight

The holiday's are always nicer with a hint of mint. Try this lovely and refreshing mix at your next holiday bash:

-1.5 ounces creme de cacao

-1 ounce half/half (try lowfat milk if you're on a diet)

-1 ounce peppermint schnapps

Place in a cocktail shaker with ice and mix well. Strain and place into a beautiful glass of your choice. To garnish, add a short peppermint stick!

3.) Let it Snow

This intoxicating mixture is an interesting wake up call for your taste buds.

-2 ounces pear Shnapps

-1 ounce half/half (or milk)

-a dash of cinnamon

Place the Schnapps and cream into a cocktail shaker with ice. Mix thoroughly and strain into a fabulous glass. You can also try this drink blended. Simply combine the Schnapps and cream with ice and blend until smooth. Sprinkle the cinnamon on top!

4.) Scotch Reindeer Sour

This drink is especially fab for the gentlemen on hand. Serve this in an old fashioned, short glass and hand it over with a coy eye!

-1 1/2 ounces whisky (try the canadian kind!)

-1 1/2 ounces orange juice

-1 teaspoon of grenadine

-1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Combine all the ingredients into a shaker or blender. Pour into your glass and add a lemon slice to garnish!

5.) White Christmas

This silky drink is better than any dream you could conjure! Not to mention, it's as easy as 1-2-3!

-1 ounce amaretto

-1 ounce half/half

-1 ounce vodka

Mix this lovely trio in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry or nutmeg.

6.) Mr. Grinch

Maybe this drink won't steal all your presents, but it sure knows how to steal hearts!

-2 ounces Midori

-1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice

-1 tsp sugar syrup (try Karo)

Mix all three ingredients into a shaker and strain into a chilled martini glass. This green drink looks fabulous with a cherry garnish!

7.) Hot Mint Chocolate

This is my all-time favorite, so of course I've saved the best for last! This drink is great for low-key parties or snuggling up with your loved one(s).

-5 to 6 ounces of hot chocolate (hot!)

-1 ounce peppermint schnapps

Pour the schnapps into a mug or glass that is heat-safe. Add your hot chocolate and stir well. To garnish, add crushed candy cane around the rim of your glass or simply add a candy cane stick.