Alcohol is a must around the holidays, but only if you are of age. It lets you unwind and relax and it lets you tolerate your family for just that much longer. Boozy holiday drinks are a way to liven up any party and bring you, your friends and your family together.

“There’s nothing better than hot cider,” said biochemistry major Lindsey Brookbank. “It warms your tummy on a cold day!”

If you are looking for something that is seasonal, but not loaded with liquor, check out the seasonal beers from local breweries. New Belgium’s seasonal IPA, Accumulation, is a festive white IPA loaded with hops and a smidge of wheat. According to the brewery, Accumulation pairs well with Mexican food.

New Belgium also recently collaborated with Ben & Jerry’s to create the Salted Caramel Brownie Brown Ale. This beer has hints of chocolate, caramel and vanilla that mixes perfectly with the ale.

From Odell Brewery, you can find the Isolation Ale. A caramel malt ale paired with the right amount of hops. Fort Collins Brewery also offers Big Shot, a wintery ale complemented by flavorful hazelnuts.

“My favorite alcohol is beer, so I’m a big fan of the white IPAs,” said biomedical sciences major Lindsay Dutch. “They’re light and unique, but they still do the job.”

Classic holiday drinks often include hot chocolate or eggnog mixed with some kind of scrumptious liquor. Business major Logan Hicks prefers eggnog and rum.

“Eggnog is my favorite thing to drink around the holidays and rum is my favorite alcohol,” she said. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Journalism major Courtney Meredith sticks to a holiday classic: hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps.

“It’s the ultimate Christmas drink,” she said.

If you are trying to get fancy this holiday season, Pinterest has millions of recipes to offer. Drinks like coffee and cream martinis, champagne punch, Grinch spritzer and candy cane cocktails are some of the various drinks you can try at home.

Santa’s Magic Potion

Ingredients:

• 4 parts eggnog
• 2 to 4 parts Baileys, to taste
• Ice cubes, optional
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon

Directions:

1. To a large glass add the eggnog, Baileys to taste, and optionally add ice.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Evenly and lightly sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon.
4. Serve immediately.

Recipe is intended for those for whom it is legal and appropriate to drink alcohol, always drink responsibly.

Kahlua Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 ounce Kahlua
• Mini marshmallows
• Salted caramel
• Chocolate syrup

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon and nutmeg over medium heat until heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Kahlua.
2. Serve immediately, garnished with mini marshmallows, salted caramel and chocolate syrup, if desired.

Coffee & Cream Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
• 1 teaspoon finely ground coffee
• Ice cubes
• 1-1/2 ounces vodka
• 1-1/2 ounces Kahlua
• Chocolate syrup

Directions:

1. Sprinkle sugar and coffee on a plate. Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with water; hold glass upside down and dip rim into sugar mixture.
2. Fill a mixing glass or tumbler three-fourths full with ice. Add the vodka, Kahlua and liqueur; stir until condensation forms on outside of glass.
3. Drizzle chocolate syrup on the inside of prepared martini glass if desired. Strain vodka mixture into glass; serve immediately.