The only Christmas cocktails you need at your festive party

Award winning London bartender Jamie Jones's guide to being a cocktail pro at home

The build up to throwing a Christmas party can feel more stressful than joyful. Apart from worrying about whether anyone will actually turn up, there's choosing the right music (turns out not everyone enjoys Mariah Carey’s Christmas album on repeat for four hours) and making sure you serve up the perfect festive tipples. Happily bartender Jamie Jones has come to the rescue.

Jamie, who recently won World Class UK Bartender of the Year, has created a collection of simple, on-trend cocktails for Scotch + Limon for you to serve up at home like a total pro. As with all of Jamie's drinks, every sip tells a story. There are some playful takes on classic favourites, such as the Hot Christmas Cosmo, and brand new creations like the Mezcal-based El Santo.

So gather round cocktail lovers, and in case you needed any more encouragement, Scotch + Limon have arranged a special seasonal discount for the spirits used in each of the concoctions with the Whisky Exchange. How's that for goodwill to all mankind?

Hot Christmas Cosmo

You guessed it, it's a hot version of the Cosmopolitan, an iconic vodka cocktail, the result is a surprisingly comforting and Christmassy drink.

40 ml Virtuous Vodka Raspberry, 15ml Orange Liqueur, 10ml Lime, 80ml Cranberry Juice, Rosemary Sprig

Add all ingredients to a pan, heat until simmering and then strain into a glass

10% off Virtuous Vodka Raspberry with the code VODKA/VIR3 at www.thewhiskyexchange.com

Health Kick

An alternative to the Bloody Mary but with an added ginger kick.

50ml Virtuous Vodka Ginger, 80ml Carrot Juice, 5ml Lemon, 5ml Honey, Carrot Garnish

Build into a glass and stir

10% off Virtuous Vodka Ginger with the code VODKA/VIR4 at www.thewhiskyexchange.com

The Nightcap Before Christmas

The rich spice notes of Takamaka Extra Noir mix perfectly with maple syrup and clove for this alternative after dinner digestif.

60ml Takamaka Extra Noir, 7.5ml Maple Syrup, 2 Drops Bitters, Clove Studded Orange Slice

Build in a glass over ice and stir

10% off Takamaka Extra Noir with the code RUM/TAK8 at www.thewhiskyexchange.com

Festive Cobbler

Deliciously rich without being overbearingly sweet, all of the festive flavours are combined in this Christmas cup.

45ml Fanny Fougerat VSOP, 5ml PX Sherry, 10ml Lemon, Redcurrants / Blackberry, Mint, Star Anise, Icing Sugar

Build over ice, stir and garnish

£5 off Fanny Fougerat VSOP with the code COGNAC/FAN1 at www.thewhiskyexchange.com

Cafe Cognac

An alternative to the Irish coffee that packs a warming punch, using cognac in place of Irish whisky for a touch of festive decadence.

50ml XO Cognac, 10ml Sugar, Hot Coffee, Chantilly Cream, Nutmeg & Orange Peel

Stir the cognac and sugar into hot coffee, before topping with the cream and orange peel

£5 off Fanny Fougerat XO with the code COGNAC/FAN2 at www.thewhiskyexhcnage.com

El Santo

Mezcal, the cousin of tequila, is not traditionally thought of as a Christmas drink - however in this serve its smokey notes make a deliciously complex and different hot chocolate for winter nights.

40ml Santo de Piedra, 15ml Green Chartreuse, Hot Chocolate, Toasted Marshmallow

Make the hot chocolate, then add the spirits before garnishing with a toasted marshmallow

£5 off Santo de Piedra Mezcal with the code TEQLA/SAN7 at www.thewhiskyexchange.com

Fifty-Eight Bucks

A take on the classic Christmas morning fizz of choice, the addition of Fifty-Eight gin and red currants makes for a refreshingly festive spakling cocktail to toast the festive season with.

35ml Fifty-Eight Gin, 45ml Spiced Clementine Juice, Sparkling Wine Top, Red Currants

Add the gin and juice to a flute, before topping with sparkling wine and garnishing

For more information visit www.scotchlimon.com