Sip & Chat: Festive Cocktails Paired with Fun Conversation Starters

by Nancybinspired

Table of Contents

• Intro
• Drinks paired with conversation starters
• Tips for Hosting
• Printable Cards

Champagne is perfect for any occasion. Add orange juice and drop a frozen orange ice cube for a twist on your every day mimosas. this holiday season. Frozen cranberries, pair nicely too.

Intro

It’s that time of year again and nothing says “holiday party” like signature cocktails and lively conversations. Are you excited? Are you dreading it? Well, either way this Sip & Chat: Festive Cocktails Paired with Conversation Starters blog is for you. If you’re an extravert you’ll have the conversation part down, but what about cocktails? Ready to try something new? Even mocktail extraverts are covered in this Sip & Chat blog.

Now for the introverts. I feel you. It’s the dreaded I don’t want to go, but I have to go, right? Your work party or your spouse’s / partner’s work party. May you’ve been asked to host the neighborhood party.

This blog will help you navigate the holidays, well at least that’s my hope.

Breaking the ice with strangers, new friends or distant relatives can be tricky. That’s where this guide comes in! Here we’re combining delicious, festive cocktails with creative conversation starters to make your gathering and/or impression unforgettable. We’re going to start by hosting a party, but you can use take these tips and incorporate them in any new and sometimes awkward scenarios.

Granted some people are just not social, they’re not interested in small talk, so don’t be offended, just move on to another group. Make an excuse to take a “call” or get a “refill” more “ice” or use the “facilities”. Then wonder on to different groups of people until you find the conversation flowing.

Ready? Let’s go!

Drinks Paired with Conversations List

Cranberry Moscow Mule & Icebreakers

• Vodka-Top Shelf
• Ginger Beer
• Cranberry Juice (organic)
• Lime Juice (organic)
• Garnish: Frozen Ice Cubes with cranberries and rosemary. How to blog post here:https://nancybinspired.com/how-to-make-large-ice-cubes-for-cocktails/

Conversation Starters:

1. “What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve tried this year?”
2. “If you visit one holiday destination, where would it be?”
3. “Have you ever spent Christmas in a (different climate from your present town? (i.e. beach, mountains, island)”. How was it different?

Spiced Apple Cider Martini and Nostalgia Questions

• Apple Cider
• Spiced Rum (Top Shelf)
• Cinnamon sugar rim
• Garnish: Apple slice and star anise ice cubes

Conversation Starters:

1. “What’s your favorite childhood holiday memory?”
2. “What was the best gift you ever received as a kid?”
3. “What was your favorite Christmas food, drink, cookie?”
4. “What’s your favorite holiday movie?”

Peppermint White Russian and Whimsical Topics

• Vodka (top shelf)
• Coffee liqueur
• Peppermint cream (or white chocolate liqueur)
• Garnish: Crushed candy cane rim and mint leaves frozen ice cubes

Conversation Starters:

1. “If you could invent a new holiday, what would it celebrate?”
2. “What’s the most unique tradition your family has?” If none, “What would you start?”
3. “What’s your favorite tacky sweaters or tacky lights?”
4. “What’s the craziest tacky holiday thing you’ve ever seen?”

Espresso Martini with candy cane rim. 1 oz Vodka, 1 oz. Espresso, 1 /2 oz Kaluha, Simple Syrup, frozen expresso ice cubes, Shake well. Garnish with coffee beans. Crushed candy cane for rim.

Tips For Hosting

Definitely practice making your cocktails in advance and make sure you have all the ingredients ready to go. Crush your peppermint, slice your apples (cover with lemon juice), have your measuring shot glasses ready to serve. Your holiday party is about Sip & Chat, so get the Sip part down with ingredients and the Chat part with your cards.

Set up a little bar cart area, get festive cocktail napkins, holiday stirrers, and cute glasses, one for each theme. You could even make the cards into custom napkins.

Create a holiday playlist.

Set the mood with decorations, lighting and theme for guests (if any, casual, etc.)

Most importantly, just have fun, relax and let the event flow naturally.

Printable Cocktail Cards

Use my downloadable Sip & Chat cards and print them for your guests. A little treat from you. It’s a nice little sentiment that offers a recipe and discrete conversation tips for those who need them. Feel free to edit them and make them your own.

Print them as coasters, cocktail napkins or just cards and set them out for your guests. They might be the start of a conversation by themselves.

Find more recipes for cards like the example below here:

Front of Card

Back of Card

Shop Option

Feel free to browse my Amazon shopping page for great products. Link on home page.

*I’m an affiliate marketer and may be paid a slight commission for items sold from this blog which has no affect on consumer pricing.

I hope you have a wonderful Holiday season and please let me know how your party went, especially the Sip & Chat: Festive Cocktails and Fun Conversations Starters cards worked. I’d love to know!

Let this inspire you today!