25 Christmas Drinks & Cocktails That’ll Put You In Good Spirits

Whipping up your favorite Christmas drinks for your loved ones is a wonderful way to get into the festive spirit. 

You may even have a few of your heirloom Christmas cocktail recipes up your sleeve!

This list of 25 Christmas drink and cocktail recipes will keep you bright and merry all season long!

25 Christmas Drinks To Put You In Good Spirits

Enjoy making these fun, tasty cocktails all through the festive season!

1. Christmosas

Celebrate Christmas Day with this refreshing drink!

Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 standard bottle of Cava, Prosecco, or Champagne
• 1 cup sparkling grape juice
• 1 cup green grapes, halved
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds

Directions:

1. Get a large pitcher and add all the fruit. 
2. Then, add the sparkling grape juice and Champagne. 
3. Stir well, pour into glasses, and enjoy.

2. Elit Christmas

This delicious Champagne cocktail is not to be missed!

Yields: 10 servings

Ingredients:

For the cocktail:

• 3 standard bottles of Champagne, chilled
• 250ml vodka
• 125ml wild strawberry liqueur
• 150ml cranberry juice
• 2 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
• 20 redcurrant stems

For the garnish:

• 10 redcurrant stems
• 1 egg white, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons caster sugar

Directions:

1. Dip the redcurrant stems into the egg white, then dab them into the caster sugar. Set them aside to dry.Muddle the remaining redcurrant stems in a bowl to release the juice. 
2. Pour in vodka, wild strawberry liqueur, cranberry juice, and lemon juice.
3. Stir and strain the solids. Store in a covered jar until ready to serve.
4. Arrange 10 Champagne glasses and divide the liquid between them. 
5. Slowly pour Champagne on top and garnish the drink with the redcurrant stems covered in sugar.

3. Mulled Wine

What’s Christmas without this quintessential holiday cocktail?

Yields: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 standard bottle of red wine
• ½ cup brandy
• ¼ cup honey
• 6 whole cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks (and more for garnish)
• 3 pieces star anise
• 1 orange, thinly sliced (and more for garnish)

Directions:

1. Combine all the Ingredients: in a saucepan and turn on the heat to a medium setting.
2. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. 
3. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. While the Mulled Wine is still warm, pour into glasses and garnish with orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

4. Merry Manhattan

This boozy Manhattan is a spice-forward, delicious cocktail.

Yields: 16 servings

Ingredients:

For the simple syrup:

• 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 2 pieces star anise
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

For the cocktail:

• 60ml bourbon
• 30ml dry Vermouth
• 15ml spiced simple syrup
• 2 dashes of angostura bitters

Directions:

For the spiced simple syrup:

1. In a saucepan, combine water and sugar. Place it over medium-high heat and allow to cook until the sugar dissolves. 
2. Add in the spices and simmer for a few minutes. Switch off the heat and let the spices steep for a minimum of one hour. 
3. Then, strain the syrup into a jar. Refrigerate any leftovers after making the cocktail.

For the cocktail:

1. Put all the drinks Ingredients: in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until cold. 
2. Pour the concoction into rocks glasses and serve.

5. Hot Toddy

The Hot Toddy is a classic holiday cocktail. It’s a good remedy for a sore throat, and it’ll warm you right up on a cold day. 

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 45ml bourbon
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ cup piping hot water
• Lemon slice (garnish)
• Cinnamon stick (garnish)

Directions:

1. Grab a Hot Toddy mug and add the honey, lemon juice, and bourbon.
2. Then, pour the hot water over the concoction and stir. 
3. Pop the lemon slice and cinnamon stick in to garnish.

6. Hot Cocoa Pudding Shots 

This tipsy dessert is sure to be a party favorite!

Yields: 12 servings

Ingredients:

• ⅔ cups Baileys Irish Cream
• ⅔ cup milk
• 110g instant chocolate pudding mix
• 20g hot cocoa mix
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Marshmallow pieces (garnish)
• Cocoa powder (garnish)
• Whipped cream (garnish)

Directions:

1. Get a large bowl, add the cocoa and chocolate pudding mixes, and whisk until they’re fully combined.
2. Whisk in the Baileys and vanilla extract.
3. Pour the mixture into small cups and pop into the fridge for 2 hours.
4. Serve with whipped cream and cocoa powder on top.

7. Rumchata Eggnog

This easy-peasy eggnog recipe with a twist will have you coming back for more!

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:

For the cinnamon-sugar rim:

• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

For the Eggnog:

• 1 cup RumChata liqueur 
• 2 cups milk
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (and a little more for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 egg yolks
• Cinnamon sticks (garnish)

Directions:

For the cinnamon-sugar rim: 

1. Fill a shallow dish with a little water. 
2. Then, on a separate plate, mix cinnamon powder and sugar. 
3. Dab the edges of the glasses into the water and dip them into the cinnamon-sugar mix. Set them aside.

For the eggnog:

1. Grab a large saucepan and whisk in the eggs and sugar. 
2. Add in the nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and milk and turn the heat to medium-low.
3. Allow the concoction to cook for about 10 minutes, but don’t let it boil. You’ll know it’s done when the mixture can coat the back of your spoon. Turn off the heat soon after.
4. Mix in the RumChata and heavy cream.
5. Pop it into the refrigerator to get nice and cold.
6. Pour eggnog into glasses, dust on some nutmeg, and enjoy.

8. Holly Jolly Christmas Punch

This is the perfect Christmas cocktail recipe for when you’re short on time but would like to tingle your guests’ taste buds.

Yields: 24 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 standard bottle tequila silver
• 2 1-liter cartons pineapple juice
• 1 2-liter bottle Squirt soda
• 1 bottle cranberry juice
• ½ cup cranberries (garnish)
• 2-3 limes, sliced (garnish)

Directions:

1. In a large punch bowl, pour the tequila, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and Squirt soda. Give the mixture a good stir.
2. Garnish with lime slices and cranberries.
3. Add ice to each glass before serving.

9. Mistletoe Mules

Change up the classic Moscow Mule with this Christmas-inspired cocktail.

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 30ml vodka
• 180ml ginger beer
• 15ml fresh lime juice
• A handful of pomegranate seeds
• 1 candy cane, crushed
• 1 whole candy cane (garnish)
• Mint sprig (garnish)

Directions:

1. Add ice to a copper mug.
2. Pour in the lime juice and vodka, and top with the ginger beer.
3. Add in the pomegranate seeds and crushed candy cane.
4. Garnish with the mint sprig and whole candy cane.

10. Naughty But Nice Christmas Cocktail

This holiday drink is super easy to make and can work with a few types of spirits.  

Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 120ml of your choice of vodka, bourbon, or rye whiskey
• 120ml cranberry juice
• 120ml club soda
• 60ml ginger syrup
• 60ml orange juice
• Cranberries and orange slices (garnish)

Directions:

1. Add your choice of spirit, ginger syrup, orange juice, and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.
2. Get two glasses and add ice to each. Pour the concoction into the cocktail glasses and top with the club soda. 
3. Add the cranberries and orange slices as garnish. 

11. Salted Caramel White Russians

This modern spin on a cult fave is an excellent addition to your holiday cocktail repertoire. 

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 30ml salted caramel vodka
• 30ml salted caramel coffee liqueur (like Kahlua or Baileys)
• 30ml half and half cream
• Caramel sauce (garnish)

Directions:

1. Combine the half and half cream, vodka, and liqueur in a cocktail shaker and stir.
2. Get your cocktail glass and drizzle caramel sauce along the sides. 
3. Add ice cubes to a glass, pour the drink in, and enjoy!

12. Peppermint Espresso Martini

Take your regular Espresso Martini cocktail to minty heights with this fun holiday drink!

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 30ml vodka
• 45ml Kahlua Peppermint Mocha
• 1 cup espresso, freshly brewed 
• A dollop of cream
• Candy cane, crushed (garnish)
• Honey (garnish)

Directions:

1. Add the crushed candy cane to a plate and pour some honey into a shallow bowl. 
2. Get a martini glass and dip the rim in the honey. Then, dab the glass into the candy cane pieces and set it aside.
3. Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour in vodka, Kahlua, espresso, and cream. Shake well.
4. Pour the drink into your glass and sip away!

13. Poinsettia Pomegranate Martini

This Christmas cocktail recipe is refreshing and easy to make. 

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 45ml gin
• 30ml fresh lime juice
• 30ml pomegranate juice
• 15ml simple syrup
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds (garnish)
• Lime, sliced (garnish)

Directions:

1. Get a martini glass and add the pomegranate seeds. Set it aside.
2. Now, grab your cocktail shaker and fill it with ice, lime juice, pomegranate juice, simple syrup, and gin. 
3. Shake thoroughly and strain the mixture into the martini glass.
4. Place the lime slice as garnish.

14. Pisco Sour

This Pisco Sour cocktail will retain its complexity and flavor when you add the bitters. So don’t skip it!

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 75ml pisco
• 15ml lemon juice
• 15ml lime juice
• 15ml simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• 2 dashes of angostura bitters

Directions:

1. Add pisco, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and ice to a cocktail shaker. 
2. Shake and strain the liquid into a tall glass, add the bitters, and serve.

15. Maple Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

This cocktail is a combination of tart and sweet flavors, ideal for drinking all season long!

Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients:

For the maple cranberry syrup:

• ½ cup maple syrup
• 1 cup cranberries, fresh

For the cocktail:

• 120ml bourbon
• 90ml cranberry juice
• 60ml club soda
• 60ml maple cranberry syrup
• Rosemary sprigs (garnish)
• Maple cranberries (garnish)

Directions:

For the syrup:

1. Mix the maple syrup and cranberries into a saucepan.
2. Simmer for about 5 minutes (or until the cranberries start to burst) and turn the stove off.
3. Allow the syrup to cool.
4. Store the excess in a jar in a cool, dry place.

For the cocktail:

1. Prep two lowball glasses with a teaspoon of maple cranberries and set them aside.
2. Then, add ice, bourbon, maple cranberry syrup, and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker, and shake thoroughly.
3. Strain the concoction into the two glasses, top with a splash of soda water, and garnish with rosemary sprigs.

16. Driven Snow Cocktail

Stay cozy on a cold winter night with this delicious cocktail.

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 30ml blackstrap rum
• 45ml white chocolate liqueur
• 15ml ginger liqueur
• Candy canes, crushed (for glass rim)
• Water (for glass rim)
• Small gingerbread cookie (garnish)

Directions:

1. Select your favorite glass and dab it with some water and the crushed candy canes and set it aside.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, blackstrap rum, and the two liqueurs. 
3. Shake well and strain into your glass.
4. Garnish with the cookie and serve!

17. Sugar Cookie Martinis

If you have some time and want to go the distance, try this festive drink!

Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients: 

For the glass rim:

• Pre-made sugar cookie dough
• ½ cup vanilla frosting
• ½ cup sprinkles (and 1 teaspoon, divided)

For the Martini:

• ¼ cup Baileys Irish Cream
• 60ml vanilla vodka
• 60ml amaretto
• ½ cup milk

Directions:

For the glass rim and garnish:

1. Place parchment paper on a dish or tray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Roll out the sugar cookie dough, making it about ¼ inches thick. 
3. Using a cookie cutter, cut out any shapes you like, and arrange them on the baking tray. 
4. Bake them for about 12 minutes and let them cool.
5. Get your martini glasses and apply a thin layer of the frosting onto the glass rims.
6. Dip the rims into the sprinkles and set them aside.
7. Using a spatula or butter knife, spread frosting on the cookies and add the sprinkles. Set aside.

For the cocktail:

1. Add Baileys, vodka, amaretto, and milk into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into the glasses.
2. Pop on a cookie as garnish and serve!

18. Christmas Cosmos

Love a good ol’ Cosmopolitan cocktail? Then, you’ll adore this holiday-inspired drink. 

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup pomegranate and cranberry juice blend
• ¼ cup orange liqueur
• 3 tablespoons lime juice, fresh
• Lime twists (garnish)

Directions:

1. Get a pitcher or large jug and add all your Ingredients: along with some ice. 
2. Stir for about 30 seconds to combine and chill the liquid. 
3. Pour the cocktail into martini glasses, garnish with lime twists, and serve!

19. Sparkling Wine Mojito Punch

This fun Mojito-sparkling wine drink is refreshing, party-friendly, and festive.

Yields: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rum
• 2 and ½ cups sparkling wine
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup lime juice, fresh
• 1 cup mint leaves

Directions:

1. In a jug, dissolve the sugar with the lime juice. 
2. Muddle in the mint leaves, then pour in rum and stir. 
3. Chill the concoction in the fridge overnight or for at least one hour. 
4. When it’s time to serve, strain the drink into a pitcher and top with sparkling wine. 
5. Add in fresh mint leaves and lime slices as garnish.

20. Thinking Cap Cocktail

Bourbon fans will adore this fun cocktail recipe.

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 60ml bourbon
• 1 small cube of sugar
• 1 dash orange bitters
• ½ teaspoon of water
• 1 piece of orange peel (garnish)

Directions:

1. Grab a lowball glass and pop in the sugar cube
2. Top it with bitters and the water, allowing it to soak until the sugar dissolves a bit.
3. Then, muddle the sugar cube until nearly dissolved. 
4. Pour in the bourbon and fill to the brim with ice. Stir 30 times.
5. Get the orange peel and rub the outside of it around the glass rim. Then, twist it to extract the oil into the festive drink. 
6. Pop the orange peel into the cocktail and serve.

21. Kahlua Hot Chocolate

This homemade, spirited hot chocolate drink requires only a few pantry staples to whip up.

Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 45ml Kahlua 
• 1 ½ tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups milk
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Salted caramel (garnish)
• Chocolate syrup (garnish)
• Mini marshmallows (garnish)

Directions:

1. Combine cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and milk in a saucepan. On medium heat, allow the liquid to get hot (approximately 3 minutes.)
2. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the Kahlua.
3. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs while hot and garnish with salted caramel, chocolate syrup, and mini marshmallows. Enjoy!

22. Sparkling Clementine Thyme Cocktail

This fizzy cocktail recipe makes for a refreshing and light aperitif!

Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 120ml vodka, chilled
• 360ml sparkling clementine juice
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
• 2 orange or clementine slices
• 2 lemon thyme sprigs

Directions:

1. Grab 2 glasses and fill them with ice, pomegranate seeds, and orange slices.
2. Divide the vodka between the glasses and top each with sparkling clementine juice. 
3. Garnish the drinks with lemon thyme sprigs.

23. Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Buttered Rum is a holiday special that’s boozy, light, and creamy.

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:

For the spiced butter:

• 6 tablespoons butter, salted
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

For the cocktail:

• 60ml rum
• 180ml boiling water
• 1 and ½ tablespoons spiced butter
• Whipped cream (garnish - optional)

Directions:

For the spiced butter:

1. In between two pieces of parchment paper, roll the butter flat with a rolling pin.
2. In a bowl, add the sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice.
3. With a spatula, fold in the butter and mix until everything is integrated. 
4. Refrigerate until you’re ready to whip up the cocktails.

For the cocktails:

1. Arrange your glasses and add the spiced butter to each. 
2. Pour in the rum and boiling water, stirring until combined.
3. Serve as is or top with a dollop of whipped cream.

24. Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

If you enjoy a cocktail recipe bursting with flavor, then this sweet cider and bourbon drink is for you!

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 60ml bourbon
• 30ml sweet vermouth
• 30ml apple cider
• 15ml lemon juice
• 1 dash orange bitters
• Apple slices (garnish)
• Thyme sprig (garnish)

Directions:

1. In a mixing glass, combine ice with vermouth, bourbon, apple cider, and lemon juice. Stir and strain into a cocktail glass.
2. Add a dash of orange bitters to the cider and garnish with apple slices and thyme sprig.

25. Rum Negroni

This lighter version of the classic Negroni is a great companion on an evening walk. Just pour it into a hip flask and sip as you go!

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 50ml golden rum
• 50ml sweet red vermouth
• 50ml bitter aperitif like Campari
• 25ml water

Directions:

1. In a jug, mix rum, vermouth, aperitif, and water.
2. Pour this festive cocktail into a flask or in a glass and enjoy.

Time to Shake and Stir It!

What better way to celebrate Christmas than with these decadent cocktails among friends and family.

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