60 Holiday Cocktails Sure to Make Your Spirits Bright
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Make your holiday parties extra special with these Fabulous Holiday Cocktails that will help you celebrate fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas in style!
Even if you don’t drink much or at all the rest of the year, chances are you’ll be enjoying some adult beverages around the holidays.
Make your holiday parties extra special with these Fabulous Holiday Cocktails your guests will love!
PRO TIP: Let guests help themselves. To make holiday hosting simpler, set out cocktail ingredients, show your guests how to make each drink, and allow them to make their own for the rest of the evening for some casual, low key fun.
For more helpful holiday party tips, check out the following:
20 Best Holiday Punch Recipes for the Ultimate Festive Get-Together
21 Boozy Hot Chocolates Sure to Warm Up Your Night
30 Harry Potter Cocktails and Super Fun Drinking Games for the Ultimate HP Party
40 Incredible Boozy Desserts You Need in Your Life
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Contents
Best Ever Holiday Cocktails Perfect for Festive Christmas Parties and Casual Get-Togethers Alike
1. Warm Cranberry Punch
This tasty punch features delicious, tangy cranberries and other seasonal flavors like orange, cinnamon, apple brandy, and some simple syrup for sweetness all warmed and served in a slow cooker for the ultimate cozy, cold weather beverage.
2. 5-Minute Eggnog
The holidays are a super busy time for most of us, so why complicate things with difficult recipes? Here’s the easiest eggnog recipe you’ll ever see.
If you trust your egg source (I raise my own chickens, so I definitely do), you can use raw eggs in this drink, but the recipe also includes instructions to cook your eggs, if desired.
3. Homemade Vegan Eggnog
Need a vegan version for a plant-based friend? Here’s the perfect recipe for people with ethical or dietary restrictions. It actually tastes so rich and delicious, it’ll please vegans and non-vegans alike!
4. Orange and Pomegranate Prosecco Holiday Cocktail
This drink will bring some freshness to your holiday. Tart pomegranate, citrusy blood orange liqueur, and refreshing, effervescent Prosecco make this drink perfect for those who don’t like overly sweet alcohol.
A sugar rim balances the tartness of this drink without adding too much sweetness, and pomegranate arils make this beverage pretty and festive.
You can serve this drink as an individual cocktail or in a punch bowl to let guests help themselves.
PRO TIP: If you like your drinks a little sweeter, get EXTRA DRY Prosecco, which is actually the sweetest!
5. White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Martini with Homemade White Chocolate Liquor
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without plenty of peppermint, one of the most popular tastes of the season.
Get your peppermint fix with this cocktail version of peppermint bark candy made with white chocolate liqueur (homemade or store bought), vanilla vodka, peppermint schnapps, a splash of milk or cream, and a tasty white chocolate crushed peppermint candy rim for a sweet, decadent treat.
6. Peppermint Chocolate Martini
Prefer traditional chocolate? This version is for you.
This cocktail is so simple to make and absolutely delicious. If you love chocolate and peppermint, it’s a must-try this season.
7. Hot Buttered Rum
Nothing is better than warming up by the fire with classic Hot Buttered Rum.
This recipe teaches you how to make a batter that will let you mix up each drink in no time! Then, you just combine some batter, dark rum, and plenty of whipped cream for the best seasonal hot drink you’ve ever had!
8. Gingerbread People Jello Shots
Make your party unforgettable with these fun, festive, and incredibly creative jello shots that will get your party started right!
9. Very Merry Ornamentini
If you’re looking for the merriest of martinis, this Very Merry Ornamentini is it! Who wouldn’t love a Christmas ornament cocktail? So creative!
10. White Christmas Mojito
Here’s a seriously unique take on the classic mint mojito.
The classic mojito flavors of fresh mint and lime juice are paired with white and coconut rums, coconut milk, sparkling water, and a gorgeous garnish of pomegranate arils for a perfectly seasonal red, green, and white drink.
If you’re a coconut lover, this beverage is for you.
11. Kahlua Hot Chocolate
Who doesn’t love hot chocolate on cold nights? This version is made even better – homemade hot chocolate is spiked with Kahlua and topped with loads of marshmallows and generous drizzles of chocolate and salted caramel.
More ways to jazz up that boring hot chocolate: 21 Boozy Hot Chocolates Sure to Warm Up Your Night
12. Champagne Jello Shots
Like a regular Jello shot, but perfect for holiday parties and casual get-togethers.
13. Cranberry Mule
Here’s a fun take on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail.
Cranberry, ginger beer, and spiced rum are mixed together and topped with a sugared cranberry garnish in this drink, perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers and cozy nights by the fire.
14. Boozy Maple Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake
Why not combine drinks and dessert with this amazing Maple Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake spiked with bourbon and topped with loads of whipped cream. This drink would also be perfect for an adults-only burger night!
15. Christmas Pear Champagne Cocktail
This Christmas Pear Champagne Cocktail is simple, different, and luxe! The perfect cocktail for the holidays or to ring in the New Year. Poire Williams is added to champagne or sparkling wine to create this delicious drink.
16. Pomegranate Ginger Fizz with Homemade Grenadine Syrup
Your first alcoholic drink was probably a Shirley Temple.
Here’s a big kid version with tequila, orange liqueur, ginger ale, fresh lime juice, and a fantastic homemade grenadine syrup made with pomegranate juice.
This drink is great for parties where kids will be in attendance, since they can also enjoy this beverage – minus the alcohol, of course.
17. Cranberry Orange Margarita
Here’s a sweeter version of the classic drink featuring seasonal cranberry and orange flavors.
18. Candy Cane Cocktail
If you love candy canes, check out this Christmas cocktail, containing homemade Candy Cane Vodka, Crème de Cacao, and a splash of bitters, along with an interesting mini history lesson on candy canes.
19. Raspberry Limoncello Prosecco
This drink is great any time of the year, but it’s perfect for guests who like a sweet, refreshing, fruity holiday cocktail.
20. Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic
I think gin is a wonderful drink choice for Christmas, since it tastes like pine trees!
Seriously, if you like the classic gin and tonic, you need to try this holiday upgrade with fresh cranberries, thyme, and vanilla extract and sweetened with a little sugar and a splash of orange juice.
21. Best Eggnog in the World
This is the Best Eggnog Recipe you will ever find! And all it takes is 8 ingredients and 15 minutes. Ultra creamy and irresistible. Make sure to save some for your family, too!
22. Honey Bourbon Winter Cocktail
This honey bourbon cocktail with rosemary simple syrup is just the right amount of sweet and savory to share with friends during a cozy and cool cocktail hour.
The rosemary simply syrup is subtle but distinctive and worth the extra few minutes of prep.
23. White Christmas Martini
Celebrate the holiday season with my recipe for a White Christmas Martini. Garnished with a sparkly sugared rim, this cocktail is like an adults-only white chocolate milkshake in a martini glass. You’re going to love it.
24. Pomegranate Rosemary Spritzer
Here’s an elegant take on crowd pleasing fruity drinks featuring the festive, sweet flavors of Prosecco, peach schnapps, mango, pomegranate, and rosemary!
25. Hot Buttered Hazelnut Whiskey
Thank goodness calories and fat don’t count during the holidays! This drink may not be great for your waistline, but this creamy drink will surely make your taste buds happy with warming whiskey, Frangelico, and cinnamon flavors!
26. Satsuma and Pomegranate Campari
This drink is amazingly beautiful and tastes incredible – the fresh tastes of Campari, Satsuma (mandarin) orange, and pomegranate combine for a perfectly balanced sweet, tart drink.
27. Brandy Alexander
If you’re looking for an adult hot chocolate equivalent in classic cocktail form, this sweet, creamy concoction is just what the doctor bartender ordered.
28. Raspberry Cream Mimosa
Mimosas aren’t just for Sunday brunch anymore.
This festive red and pink version of the classic morning beverage is so delicious and impressively gorgeous with a sweetened raspberry puree, cream, and champagne, it’s impossible to have just one!
With these pretty colors, this would also make a great Valentine’s Day drink!
29. Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail
This drink couldn’t get any simpler!
It’s just sparkling wine and pomegranate juice made fancy by serving in a champagne flute with pomegranate seeds and rosemary for garnish.
If you’re looking for an effortless yet amazing drink this holiday season, you just found it!
30. Candy Cane Shooter
These little shooters taste amazing – like dessert in a tiny glass – and the best part is you can omit the alcohol to make all your guests happy!
International Delight Peppermint Chocolate Truffle creamer provides the base for this super sweet drink with half and half, white chocolate liqueur, and fun and festive crushed candy cane rim.
31. Blackberry Ombre Sparkler
Ombre is an enormously popular color effect right now – in hair color, clothing, and even food and drinks!
To make this lovely cocktail, simply combine homemade blackberry simple syrup with champagne and garnish with a fragrant sprig of rosemary. So simple, yet so good!
32. Salted Caramel White Russian
Here’s an updated version on the classic White Russian with Salted Caramel Irish Cream, Amaretto, half and half, and lots of Salted Caramel Sauce drizzled throughout. Yum!
33. Holiday Hot Toddy
The best way to spread holiday cheer is making hot toddies for all to gather near!
34. Raspberry Bourbon Smash
If you enjoy bourbon, check out this drink you can enjoy all season long.
Many whiskey drinks, like the Old Fashioned above, may be too strong for some guests, but this recipe isn’t one of them.
This drink is fruity with raspberry preserves, yet it’s also not too sweet and surprisingly creamy and smooth. Your guests are sure to love this unique and sophisticated winter cocktail!
35. North Pole Cocktail
Take a trip to The North Pole with this delicious chocolate cocktail. This just might be the most festive drink ever!
36. Peppermint White Christmas
You can never have too much peppermint at the holidays! It’s definitely one of the most popular and common flavors of the season.
The best part about this drink is it only takes 3 ingredients – champagne, crème de cocoa, and, of course, candy canes for a wonderfully refreshing treat!
37. Sparkling Clementine Thyme Cocktail
During the winter months, yummy, sweet fruits are hard to find, but, luckily clementines are in season!
Put them to good use in this fresh, sweet cocktail featuring Izze Sparkling Clementine Juice, vodka, pomegranate seeds, and fresh clementine slices.
38. Cranberry Mimosa
A cranberry lover’s version of the standard mimosa – tart cranberries pair perfectly with a sugar-rimmed glass and sparkling champagne bubbles. Two main ingredients and they’re ready in 5 minutes!
39. Mistletoe Kiss
The Mistletoe Kiss: A holiday drink for the ages with vodka, lemon juice, and a special and insanely easy simple syrup that ties the whole drink together.
40. Cranberry Orange Whiskey Cocktail
This Cranberry Orange Whiskey Cocktail is the perfect complement to your holiday menu!
41. Sugar Cookie Martini
This Sugar Cookie Martini is perfect for holiday entertaining with Baileys, amaretto, and vanilla vodka.
A pinch of confectioner’s sugar makes it sweet like a cookie with a dreamy, creamy texture, and a rim dipped in icing and sprinkles tops off this festive cocktail.
42. Spiced Cranberry Rosé Spritzer
Homemade spiced cranberry jam, woodsy rosemary, fruity rosé, sweet elderflower liquor, fresh citrus, and spicy ginger beer.
Mix everything together to create a festive pitcher style cocktail that’s easy to create, refreshing, and delicious.
Bonus! This drink can be made ahead of time for easy holiday entertaining, and the festive red color doubles as a gorgeous decor piece on any table!
43. Tiramisu Egg Nog
Tiramisu is by far my favorite dessert! This cocktail recipe combines the rich flavors of that popular classic Italian sweet treat with the most decadent traditional holiday drink!
Make it for your next holiday party, and watch it disappear almost instantly!
44. Gingerbread White Russian
Homemade ginger and cinnamon simple syrup, mixed with the classic White Russian ingredients of vodka, Kahlúa, and heavy cream. This is the perfect holiday twist on the classic White Russian cocktail, and it’s a delicious holiday treat!
45. Cranberry, Clementine, and Rosemary
This bright and festive Cranberry, Clementine, and Rosemary cocktail is just what you need to make it through this holiday season.
46. Peppermint White Russian
This Peppermint White Russian is a delicious, seasonal take on the classic cocktail recipe. Garnished with a candy cane, it’s likely to become a holiday party staple.
47. Jack Frost Cocktail
Vodka, pineapple juice, blue curacao and cream of coconut create the most delicious, beautiful and festive holiday cocktail!
48. Sugared Cranberry Mimosa
Cranberry Mimosas are the perfect holiday cocktail. These tasty Cranberry Ginger Ale Cocktails are bubbly, tangy, topped with sugared cranberries, and take just 3 ingredients to make!
49. Moscow Reindeer Cocktail
Step aside Moscow Mules! This time of year, it’s all about the Moscow Reindeer!
A minty version of everyone’s favorite cocktail made with muddled mint (or fresh muddled peppermint if you can find it), crushed candy cane, and, of course, a candy cane garnish.
The combination of ginger and mint is pure holiday perfection.
50. Peppermint Patty Cocktail
A Peppermint Patty Cocktail is the perfect Christmas drink! Hot chocolate, peppermint schnapps, and crème de cacao make it a Merry Christmas indeed.
More spiked hot chocolate recipes: 20 Boozy Hot Chocolates Sure to Warm Up Your Night
51. Santa Hat Martini
The Santa Hat Martini is really a Pomegranate Martini. Its ruby red color is perfect to complete Santa’s hat, and it’s very tasty!
52. Cinnamon Rosemary Old Fashioned
This Cinnamon Rosemary Old Fashioned is a warming cocktail made with a honey-based simple syrup that is perfect anytime.
53. Dirty Snowman
This warm and cozy spiked hot chocolate just might make the cold weather more bearable.
Get more recipes like this: 20 Boozy Hot Chocolates Sure to Warm Up Your Night
54. Peppermint Shake Cocktail
Break out the ice cream scoop and raid the bar because it is time for the perfect Christmas shake cocktail ever!
55. Butterscotch Martini
A Butterscotch Martini recipe that tastes a lot like Harry Potter Butterbeer! A delicious cocktail idea for your next party.
Like Butterbeer? Check out 30 Magical Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipes.
56. Evergreen Swizzle
Tall, cold, and herbaceous with the perfect amount of sweetness, the Evergreen Swizzle is built for long-term sipping.
57. Rumchata Eggnog
Even eggnog haters will love this creamy drink, complete with a cinnamon-sugar rim.
58. Merry Manhattan
Bourbon, dry vermouth, and a few drops of bitters made Merry with a yummy ginger-cinnamon-cardamom infused syrup. Oh yeah.
59. Cranberry Gimlet
Cranberry Gimlet offers a cranberry sweetness to the classic cocktail. A perfect addition to your next holiday party.
60. Ginger Bee Sting
Toast the holidays with this refreshing gingery-lemon cocktail.
These fun, boozy drinks will definitely get you in a festive mood this holiday season. With Fabulous Holiday Cocktails, I’m sure you found some new favorites to try this year.
More ways to get your party on this holiday season:
20 Best Holiday Punch Recipes for the Ultimate Festive Get-Together
21 Boozy Hot Chocolates Sure to Warm Up Your Night
30 Harry Potter Cocktails and Super Fun Drinking Games for the Ultimate HP Party
Of course, as always, please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive. If you overindulge, get an Uber or make your party a sleepover – the more the merrier, right?
What do you think of this list of Fun and Festive Holiday Cocktails?
I don’t drink much throughout the year, but I usually indulge a bit (with drinks and plenty of food) during the holidays. How do you celebrate the holidays with your friends and family?
Please share your story in the comments below!
Related Posts:
15 Best Ever Christmas Cheesecakes Your Guests Will Love
20 Best Holiday Punch Recipes for the Ultimate Festive Get-Together
21 Boozy Hot Chocolates Sure to Warm Up Your Night
30 Harry Potter Cocktails and Super Fun Drinking Games for the Ultimate HP Party
40 Incredible Boozy Desserts You Need in Your Life
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