(images via weheartit.com, eatmoredrinkmore.com, firehow.com)

Normally, when you hear the words 'holiday' and 'cocktail' together, it's usually after words like Irish cream or eggnog. It's not often that you hear beer and holiday cocktail together in the same sentence. Beer isn't a traditional cocktail ingredient at all. So imagine my surprise when I tasted one at the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo here in Toronto and it was actually good. 

Pardon my excitement over this cocktail, but I have to say that I was delighted with it! A light beer was used which doesn't overpower or take anything away from the flavour yet at the same time, it gave it a bit of bubbliness. 

Best of all, because you're only using a few ounces of beer per cocktail, this recipe can be done on the cheap! This makes it an excellent option for a punch bowl at a holiday party. 

Here's what you'll need: 
 

1. 3 oz. Coors Light beer
 
2. 2 oz. Cranberry juice 
 
3. 1 Cinnamon stick 
 
4. Frozen cranberries

Cinnamon syrup (not necessary, recipe below) 

The how to: 

Part 1- Cinnamon syrup (optional, but super yummy) 

Add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup hot water and 3 cinnamon sticks. Stir until dissolved and chill. 

Part 2- Cocktail 

To a martini or tumbler glass filled with ice, first add the beer, next the cinnamon stick and cranberry juice. Garnish with frozen cranberries (use around 3). 


(image via Coors Light) 
 
And that's all there is to it! Super easy, right? And the cranberry and cinnamon combo is like a christmas party in liquid form. 

What are your favourite drinks around the holiday season?