Get into the holiday spirit with these Christmas cocktails that’ll be the highlight of your festive gatherings. From toasty apple ciders to merry martinis and bubbly champagne delights, find your new favorite holiday sip right here!
There’s no better way to toast to the holidays than with an array of festive cocktail recipes.
From the tartness of cranberry to the sweetness of pomegranate to the freshness of peppermint, these beverages are infused with the quintessential flavors of the season.
We’ve included both hot and cold cocktails, classic holiday drinks and new twists on the traditional so there’s something to suit any yuletide gathering.
1 | Pomegranate Basil Mojito
Give a festive makeover to the classic mojito with this pomegranate basil version that’s as tasty as it is vibrant.
Whether you’re keeping it sober or aiming for a bit of holiday cheer, this recipe works both ways.
Pomegranate juice and maple syrup are complemented by aromatic basil. All married together with the traditional lime, rum and club soda mojito essence.
It’s the perfect cocktail to add a pop of color and an explosion of taste to any Christmas gathering.
2 | Spiked Caramel Apple Cider
Indulge in the warmth of the season with this delightful spiked caramel apple cider cocktail.
It combines the classic flavors of apple and caramel with a kick of spiced rum, making it a perfect adult twist on traditional apple cider.
Whether you prefer it chilled or heated, this drink is an ideal choice for any celebration during those cooler months.
Get more details about spiked caramel apple cider
3 | Winter White Cosmo
This Winter White Cosmo recipe is a frosty version of the classic cosmopolitan.
It blends white cranberry juice and elderflower liqueur to create a lighter, crisper version perfect for holiday cheer.
Its elegant simplicity makes it an ideal choice for those looking to sip something a bit more sophisticated this season.
4 | Grinch green apple martini
Sipping on a Grinch green apple martini feels like giving the holidays a modern twist.
This vibrant Christmas cocktail is a sweet and sour mix that stands out with its brilliant green hue and crisp apple flavor.
5 | Bourbon Apple Cider
This Bourbon Apple Cider recipe offers a warming blend of bourbon, apple cider, and cranberries that’s perfect for chilly evenings.
With a sprinkle of cinnamon, it’s a comforting drink that promises to heat up the holidays.
6 | Snowflake Martini
This Snowflake Martini will definitely add a touch of winter wonder to any Christmas cocktail lineup.
It’s an enchanting blend of vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, and cream gives it a snowy appearance.
This cocktail’s creamy texture and sweet, decadent flavor captures the essence of the holidays in a glass.
7 | Santa hat Jello Shots
Get ready for a Christmas cocktail that doubles as a delightful dessert.
Luscious layers of Cake Vodka and Strawberry Pucker mix with pudding and Jello into one irresistible shooter. It’s a sweet treat that’s seriously awesome.
Topping them with whipped cream and a strawberry to look like Santa hats adds a playful touch to any Christmas gathering.
Get more details about strawberry shortcake jello shots
8 | Cranberry Moscow Mule
This Cranberry Moscow Mule recipe offers a festive twist on the classic ginger beer and vodka combination by incorporating the tartness of cranberries.
They provide a tangy taste and also give this cocktail a cheerful splash of color that’s perfect for holiday celebrations.
9 | Poinsettia Cocktail
This Poinsettia Cocktail is a refreshing drink that’s perfect for holiday celebrations.
It’s a bubbly mix of cranberry juice, vodka, and sparkling wine, garnished with a sprig of rosemary or fresh cranberries
The vibrant red hue of the cocktail echoes the color of its namesake flower, making it a standout addition to any holiday menu.
10 | Christmas Sangria
Christmas Sangria, a festive version of the classic Spanish beverage, is a merry addition to any holiday table.
This fruity drink is a mix of crisp white wine, brandy, and cranberry juice, topped with sparkling apple cider, and jazzed up with an array of winter fruits like cranberries, apples, and oranges.
It’s not only a treat for the taste buds, but it also looks beautiful in a pitcher.
11 | Bailey’s Peppermint Martini
This Baileys Peppermint Martini melds the creamy smoothness of Baileys Irish Cream with refreshing peppermint Vodka.
This luxurious holiday drink stands out with its dessert-like quality that elegantly caps off any Christmas celebration.
12 | Cranberry Gin and Tonic
This Cranberry Gin and Tonic infuses the classic cocktail with the tartness of cranberries, and adds a Christmas-y red hue.
Serving it an ornament is the final holiday touch.
13 | Grinch Jello shots
These Grinch Jello Shots are a tasty twist on the classic appletini cocktail. They infuse the tart and sweet flavors of green apple into a fun and wobbly shot.
Not only do they taste amazing, but they’re also incredibly easy to whip up.
Whether you’re hosting a holly-jolly bash or just want to add a little pizzazz to your Christmas celebration, these Jello shots are sure to be a hit!
14 | Mistletoe Margarita
This Mistletoe Margarita recipe blends a homemade cranberry agave nectar syrup with tequila and lime juice to create a refreshing Christmas cocktail.
Garnished with fresh cranberries, a sprig of rosemary and a lime wheel, it looks really pretty, too.
15 | Sugar Plum Fairy Sour
The Sugar Plum Fairy Cocktail, or Plum Sour has a striking pink-purple hue that is ideal for the Christmas season.
It combines the tartness of citrus with the sweet flavor of plums to create a refreshing balance between the two.
16 | Creamy Christmas Coquito
The Christmas Coquito is a creamy, coconut-based Puerto Rican cocktail that is traditionally served for the holidays.
It brings a tropical twist to the winter season, mingling rich flavors of coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and rum.
After trying this, you’ll never want to drink eggnog again!
17 | Hot Aperol Cocktail
This Hot Aperol Cocktail recipe gives a cozy twist to the classic Italian aperitif.
Combining Aperol with warm apple cider and a splash of prosecco creates a comforting, yet bubbly drink.
Garnish with citrus slices and a cinnamon stick for the finishing touch.
18 | Sugared Cranberry Mimosa
Brunch & Batter’s Sugared Cranberry Christmas Mimosa is a holiday version of the classic brunch cocktail that adds sparkle to the table.
With its dazzling sugared cranberries and sprigs of rosemary for garnish, this drink is a bubbly blend of champagne and cranberry that looks gorgeous, too.
19 | Ginger Snap Cocktail
The Ginger Snap Cocktail recipe is like a cookie in a cup.
Combining the flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and clove, it tastes like the classic ginger snap cookie beloved by many.
So if you’re a fan of sweet drinks and love the smell of baking cookies, this may be the Christmas cocktail for you.
20 | Hot Chocolate Jello Shots
Hot Chocolate Jello Shots combine the comforting flavors of hot chocolate with a boozy kick.
This recipe is a fun and festive addition to any holiday party. It offers a sweet and tipsy treat that’s sure to be a hit.
21 | Christmas Old Fashioned
This Christmas Old Fashioned cocktail recipe is a blend of rye whiskey with a homemade cranberry simple syrup, a dash of bitters, and fresh orange slice to garnish.
The cranberry simple syrup adds a sweet and tart dimension that makes it a perfect drink for holiday gatherings.
22 | Gingerbread Martini
The Gingerbread Martini Christmas Cocktail stands out with its unique blend of vodka, Irish cream, and homemade gingerbread syrup.
This indulgent drink captures the essence of the holiday season in a glass and will add a bit of cheer to any Christmas celebration.
23 | Apple Cider Maple Fizz
The Apple Cider Maple Fizz is a bubbly cocktail that combines the flavors of apple cider, maple syrup, and bourbon, topped off with a splash of ginger beer for a refreshing fizz.
It’s a sweet and tangy drink that sets itself apart with the rich, earthy notes of maple.
24 | Eggnog Espresso Martini
The Eggnog Espresso Martini is perfect for those who love a little caffeine kick with their holiday cheer.
This cocktail combines the traditional flavors of eggnog with a shot of bold espresso, all shaken up with spiced rum and Bailey’s for a rich and creamy drink.
25 | Ginger Brandy Cocktail
This Donner and Blitzen Ginger Brandy Cocktail combines the warmth of brandy with the spicy kick of homemade ginger syrup and the fruity flavors of pomegranate.
Topped with a splash of ginger beer and garnished with orange slices and pomegranate arils, this cocktail is both refreshing and visually appealing.
26 | Candy Cane Martini
This Candy Cane Martini blends vanilla vodka, peppermint schnapps, and white chocolate liqueur to create a creamy version of the season’s favorite candy.
Garnished with a crushed candy cane rim, its peppermint flavor and bright white color will add an extra touch of Christmas cheer to your holiday get-together.
27 | Guava Coquito
This Guava Coquito recipe puts a tropical twist on the traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink.
By infusing the creamy coconut base with the sweet and tangy flavor of guava, it’s perfect for those looking to add a bit of island flair to their Christmas celebrations.
28 | Mulled Wine
This Spiced Mulled Wine recipe is a warm Christmas cocktail that blends the traditional flavors of mulled wine, like cinnamon and star anise, with the sweet and tart notes of blackberries and cranberries.
It’s a delightful variation on classic mulled wine, offering a deep berry flavor that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
29 | Bailey’s Peppermint Espresso Martini
This Baileys Peppermint Espresso Martini recipe combines the creamy richness of Baileys Irish Cream with the invigorating kick of espresso and the cool, minty flavor of peppermint.
The result is a decadent drink that’s sure to be a hit at any Christmas gathering.
30 | Cranberry Spritzer
This Cranberry Spritzer is a refreshing and fizzy holiday cocktail that’s a fruity addition to any Christmas celebration.
It’s a big batch recipe that combines cranberries and maple syrup with vodka and Cointreau. Then topped off with a generous splash of sparkling water for that bubbly effect.
31 | Sugar Cookie Martini
Indulge in a holiday twist on happy hour with the Sugar Cookie Martini. It’s a decadent blend that’ll have you swapping your oven mitts for a shaker.
It mixes vanilla vodka, Irish cream, white chocolate liqueur, and a splash of heavy cream to create a creamy drink.
Garnish it with sprinkles for an extra touch of Christmas cheer.
32 | Cranberry Gimlet
This Holiday Cranberry Gimlet recipe is a refreshing mix of tart cranberries and homemade cinnamon-orange syrup with a generous helping of gin.
All topped off with sparkling wine for a fizzy red cocktail that tastes delicious and looks very festive.
33 | Holiday Peppermint White Russian
Indulge in some holiday cheer with a Holiday Peppermint White Russian, a creamy and minty twist on the classic cocktail.
This Christmas drink combines the rich flavors of coffee liqueur and vodka with a splash of peppermint and some milk.
Rimmed with crushed candy canes, it looks as festive as it tastes.
34 | Cranberry Aperol Spritz
This Cranberry Aperol Spritz is a vibrant and bubbly cocktail that mixes cranberry with the bittersweet complexity of Aperol and the fizz of sparkling wine.
Garnish it with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs to give it a holiday touch that will stand out at any Christmas gathering.
35 | Cranberry Hot Toddy
Warm up the holiday season with a Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy, a Christmas version of the classic hot toddy recipe.
This comforting cocktail combines the tartness of cranberry juice with the rich warmth of bourbon, honey, and spices. The perfect drink to sip on a chilly evening.
36 | Bacon Bourbon Eggnog
Get ready to jazz up the holiday season with a twist on a classic holiday beverage: bourbon eggnog.
This recipe mixes creamy eggnog with the warm, vanilla notes of a good bourbon. And is served with a candied bacon swizzle.
Which makes it a great addition to your Christmas brunch menu.
37 | Cranberry Seltzer
The Cranberry Seltzer is a fizzy holiday cocktail that’s perfect for those who prefer a lighter, less boozy option.
It combines cranberry and orange flavors with sparkling water and a splash of vodka (if desired).
38 | Bailey’s Candy Cane Cocktail
Indulge in some holiday cheer with a Baileys Candy Cane Cocktail.
With its blend of Baileys Irish Cream, chocolate liqueur and peppermint flavors, this cocktail is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Frequently asked questions
How can I make my Christmas cocktails look more festive?
Presentation is key for holiday drinks. Garnish your cocktails with sprigs of rosemary, fresh cranberries, or a cinnamon stick. Rim glasses with colored sugar or crushed candy canes and serve in decorative glassware to elevate the visual appeal.
Can Christmas cocktails be made in large batches for parties?
Absolutely, many Christmas cocktails are perfect for scaling up and serving as a punch or in a beverage dispenser. This makes it easier to serve a crowd and allows you to enjoy the party without playing bartender all night. Just be sure to add any carbonated ingredients right before serving to maintain their fizz.
What are some tips for pairing Christmas cocktails with food?
When pairing cocktails with food, consider the dominant flavors in each. Rich, creamy cocktails like eggnog pair well with spicy or salty foods. While acidic and fruity cocktails can complement sweeter desserts. Balance is key, so aim for cocktails that contrast with and enhance the flavors of your dishes.
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