10+ Christmas Cocktails Recipes to Brighten Your Holidays
During the holiday season, nothing brings people together quite like festive drinks. Christmas cocktails add warmth and cheer to gatherings with family and friends.
You’ll find a variety of delightful recipes that can make your celebrations even more special.
From creamy eggnog to fruity punch, there are options to suit every taste. Whether you prefer a classic or a new twist, you can easily create memorable drinks that will impress your guests.
1) Eggnog Delight
Eggnog Delight is a classic holiday drink that’s rich and creamy. It’s perfect for warming up during cold winter nights. You can enjoy this festive cocktail in just a few simple steps.
To make this drink, you’ll need chilled eggnog, your choice of spirits like rum or vodka, and a sprinkle of nutmeg for taste. It’s a delightful mix that adds holiday cheer to any gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chilled eggnog
- 1 shot rum or vodka
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Ice cubes (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Pour chilled eggnog into a glass.
- Add the shot of rum or vodka.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Add ice cubes if desired.
- Sprinkle nutmeg on top before serving. Enjoy!
2) Hot Buttered Rum
Hot Buttered Rum is a classic holiday drink that warms you from the inside out. It’s perfect for cozy nights by the fire.
To make this drink, you need a mix of butter, sugar, and spices. This blend creates a rich, buttery batter that makes it special.
In a mug, combine the batter with spiced rum and hot water. The drink is simple to make and brings festive cheer to any gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons buttered rum batter
- 1 tablespoon cream
- 3 tablespoons spiced rum
- Hot water (to fill the mug halfway)
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla until smooth.
- In a heat-proof mug, add the batter, cream, and rum.
- Fill the mug halfway with hot water (around 190°F or 88°C).
- Stir well and enjoy!
3) Cranberry Ginger Mimosa
The Cranberry Ginger Mimosa is a festive and refreshing drink that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. This cocktail combines the tartness of cranberry juice with the warmth of ginger, creating a delightful flavor.
To make this mimosa, you’ll need cranberry juice, ginger beer, and sparkling wine. The combination makes it bubbly and fun!
This drink is easy to prepare, whether you’re hosting a party or just enjoying a cozy day at home. Serve it in a tall glass with ice, and consider adding some frosted cranberries for a beautiful touch.
Ingredients
- 1 part cranberry juice
- 1 part ginger beer
- 2 parts sparkling wine
- Ice
- Frosted cranberries for garnish (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in the cranberry juice.
- Add the ginger beer on top.
- Top with sparkling wine.
- Garnish with frosted cranberries if desired. Enjoy!
4) Rum Rum Rudolph
Rum Rum Rudolph is a festive and delicious holiday cocktail. It combines the flavors of spiced rum and cranberry, making it perfect for Christmas gatherings.
To make this drink, start with some ice in a glass. Then, add 2 ounces of spiced rum, 1 ounce of spiced cranberry syrup, 1/2 ounce of cranberry juice, and 1/2 ounce of lemon juice. Finish with 3 dashes of citrus bitters for extra flavor.
Garnish your drink with a maraschino cherry and a sprig of rosemary to add a festive touch. You’ll love how tasty and inviting it looks!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces spiced rum
- 1 ounce spiced cranberry syrup
- 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 3 dashes citrus bitters
- Ice
- Maraschino cherry
- Sprig of rosemary
Cooking Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add spiced rum, cranberry syrup, cranberry juice, and lemon juice.
- Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
- Add citrus bitters and stir again.
- Garnish with a cherry and rosemary. Enjoy!
5) Hot Toddy
A Hot Toddy is a warm and comforting drink, perfect for cold winter nights. It’s a classic cocktail that’s simple to make. Just gather your ingredients and enjoy.
For a basic Hot Toddy, you’ll need hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon juice. You can also get creative with flavors by adding spices or herbal teas.
To make it even more festive, consider using cinnamon or ginger. These spices add warmth and flavor, making your Hot Toddy extra special.
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water (about 200°F / 93°C)
- 1.5 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Optional: spices like cinnamon or cloves
Cooking Instructions
- Boil water and pour it into a mug.
- Stir in the whiskey, honey, and lemon juice.
- Add spices if desired and enjoy your warm drink!
6) Christmas Punch
Christmas punch is a festive drink perfect for your holiday gatherings. It’s easy to make and sure to please your guests. You can customize the ingredients to fit your taste.
A popular option includes a mix of cranberry juice, orange juice, and ginger ale. For added fun, you can include some rum or vodka for a boozy twist. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, skip the spirits, and keep the fruity goodness.
To make your punch extra special, consider adding fresh fruit slices. This not only makes it look pretty but adds a nice flavor infusion.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 liters cranberry juice
- 0.5 liter orange juice
- 1 liter ginger ale
- Optional: 1 cup rum or vodka
- Fresh fruit slices (like oranges or cranberries)
Cooking Instructions:
- In a large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice and orange juice.
- Add ginger ale and gently stir.
- If using, mix in the rum or vodka.
- Garnish with fresh fruit slices.
- Serve over ice. Enjoy!
7) Cranberry Paloma
The Cranberry Paloma is a festive twist on the traditional Paloma cocktail. It’s refreshing and perfect for holiday gatherings. You’ll enjoy the mix of tequila with cranberry and grapefruit flavors.
To make this cocktail, start with silver tequila. Add some cranberry juice, fresh grapefruit juice, and a splash of lime. Topping it off with ginger beer or soda adds a nice fizz.
This drink isn’t just pretty; it’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests. Serve it over ice and garnish with a lime wedge or sugared cranberries for that extra touch.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. silver tequila
- 2 oz. cranberry juice
- 1 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
- Half oz. lime juice
- Ginger beer or soda water
- Garnish: lime wedge or sugared cranberries
Cooking Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in the tequila, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer or soda water.
- Stir gently to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or sugared cranberries.
- Serve and enjoy!
8) Champurrado
Champurrado is a warm, comforting drink perfect for holiday gatherings. This Mexican hot chocolate has a rich texture, thanks to the corn dough used in the recipe. It’s spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with piloncillo or brown sugar.
To make it, you’ll combine Mexican chocolate, milk, and masa harina. The result is a thick and creamy drink that is sure to please your guests.
Serve champurrado hot in mugs, and enjoy the festive flavors. It’s a unique twist among traditional Christmas cocktails!
Ingredients
- 1 (3.3-ounce) disc Mexican hot chocolate
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup masa harina (corn dough)
Cooking Instructions
- In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a simmer.
- Add the Mexican hot chocolate and whisk until melted.
- Stir in the milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in the masa harina to thicken.
- Heat through, stirring often, for about 5 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
9) Yule Mule
The Yule Mule is a festive twist on the classic Moscow Mule. This cocktail combines vodka with ginger beer, lime juice, and cranberries. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
To make this drink, you will need fresh ingredients and a refreshing spirit. The aroma of rosemary adds a delightful touch to the flavor.
This drink not only looks beautiful but also tastes amazing. Serve it over ice in a copper mug for that classic feel.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 4 oz ginger beer
- ½ oz cranberry juice
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
- Lime wedge (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Fill a copper mug with ice.
- Pour in the vodka and cranberry juice.
- Add the ginger beer.
- Stir gently to mix.
- Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. Enjoy!
10) Kir Royale
The Kir Royale is a classy and simple cocktail. This drink mixes champagne with crème de cassis, which is a sweet blackcurrant liqueur. It’s a favorite during the holidays for its lovely color and refreshing taste.
To make this drink, start with chilled champagne. Pour about one ounce of crème de cassis into a flute glass. Then, fill the glass with champagne, letting the bubbles mix in beautifully.
You can also add a garnish like a fresh raspberry or a twist of lemon for extra flair.
Ingredients
- 1 oz crème de cassis
- 5 oz champagne, chilled
Cooking Instructions
- Pour crème de cassis into a champagne flute.
- Slowly add the chilled champagne.
- Garnish with a raspberry or lemon twist, if desired.
- Enjoy your Kir Royale!