Festive Rims for Holiday Drinks

Dip, dunk and swirl your way to a festive holiday celebration with these 10 ideas for decking out your glassware.

By: Jackie Alpers

Festive Holiday Drink Rims

Nothing says “It’s party time” like beverages with fancy-looking decorated rims! Colorful sugars are just the beginning. Dip, dunk and swirl your way to a festive celebration with these 10 easy ideas for decking out your glassware for the holidays. Once the festivities are over, soaking the rimmed glasses for a few minutes in hot water will melt most of the candy off. Then, either wash by hand or run through the dishwasher.

Gold Nugget Champagne Rims

Rim in the new year (get it?!) with auspicious “gold nugget”-lined champagne glasses. Dip goblets first into a ramekin filled with simple syrup and then into a second ramekin filled with sparking gold sugar, like this one available from Duff Goldman’s sprinkle collection.

Sparkling Blue Ombre Sugar Rims

Take sugar-dipped rims to the next level with these multicolored rims that have a slight gradient.

What You'll Need

You will need two plates or saucers big enough to fit the rim of the glass. Pour about one-quarter cup of simple syrup onto the first plate. Arrange equal parts of different colored sugars on the second plate.

What to Do

Dip the rim of the glass in the plate of simple syrup, and then press it straight down onto the plate of sugar. Twist the glass slightly (about 1 inch) to create a gradient in the sugar on the rim.

Hard Candy Drink Rims

These drink rims aren’t really melting. The appearance of dripping gold is achieved with the same technique used to make the shiny coating on candy apples. Heat 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 1/2 cup corn syrup in a saucepan to 300 degrees F, monitoring the temperature with a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, then dip warm glassware (cold glassware can break!) into the candy and let drip. The slightly caramelized flavor complements bourbon- or whiskey-based cocktails. The glasses are incredibly easy to clean, because hot water turns the candy rims back into sugar water.

Christmas Crunch Cereal and White Chocolate

Pair your milk-based holiday beverages with cereal-lined rims. Melt good-quality white chocolate chips in the microwave for 60 seconds, stirring halfway through. Dip and swirl warm glasses in the chocolate. Let set slightly before pressing in the Christmas tree- and heart-shaped cereal. Leave a spot on the back of the glass cereal-free for easy access to the beverage inside.

Pomegranate Seeds and White Chocolate

Resembling cut gemstones, pomegranate seeds add edible glamour to fruity beverages. Melt good-quality white chocolate chips in the microwave for 60 seconds, stirring halfway through. Dip and swirl warm glasses in the chocolate. Let set slightly before pressing in the pomegranate seeds. Then, sprinkle with flaky white Cake Sparkles.

Warm Drink Version

Rim mugs of herbal tea or other hot beverages using the same technique.

Toasted Marshmallow Fluff

Swirl mugs right into a jar of Marshmallow Fluff, being sure to coat the rim with a thick layer, then hold the edge of the glass several inches above a medium-hot burner, turning it when the marshmallow starts to smoke. Fill mugs with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and mini chocolate chips.

Sno-Caps Drink Rims

Melt chocolate chips on a saucer or small plate in the microwave for 60 seconds, stirring twice at 30-second intervals. Dip and twirl mug rims in the chocolate. Press on Sno-Caps candies, then dip in a second plate containing multicolored nonpareils.

Mini M&M’s Drink Rims

Switch out the Sno-Caps for mini M&M's and sprinkle with edible silver stars.

For a More Traditional Holiday Look

Incorporate any of the wide variety of holiday themed sprinkles available. Pictured here are tiny sugar candy canes, gingerbread men and snowflake edible confetti from Global Sugar Art, and metallic pastel dragees. They are attached to the rim of a white mug with melted white chocolate chips.

Spicy Bacon Drink Rims

When the party’s over, you are going to need a recovery drink. Bacon bits, salt and a kick of heat around the rim of a veggie-packed Bloody Mary will help fix whatever ails you.

Bloody Mary Spice Blend

Combine white pepper, vegetarian bacon bits (or regular), flaky Maldon sea salt and hot red pepper flakes in a saucer big enough to fit the rim of your glass. Rub a slice of lemon around the rim then swirl it in the saucer. Fill the glass with your favorite Bloody Mary (or Maria) and enjoy.