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This list of Christmas cocktails and nonalcoholic Christmas drinks is the perfect addition to any holiday gathering. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, and that means making whatever you are sipping on a little extra special, right? I’ve included all of my favorites from a Christmas mimosa to champagne cocktail, mules to warm and cozy nonalcoholic sippers.
Peppermint Martini
This peppermint martini is festive and fresh, with just 3 ingredients. With a touch of sweetness, you get a burst of peppermint flavor in every sip. You’ll love this holiday twist on the classic martini!
Christmas Margarita
A Christmas Margarita is a tasty way to kick off the holiday season! The festive libation is merry, refreshing, and a lovely alternative to more traditional holiday drinks like eggnog. Shake up one to pair with cookies or make a big batch for a gathering to celebrate!
Christmas Gin
Our flavorful Christmas Gin is packed with warm spices and fresh orange. All you need is 24 hours and you have the ideal holiday sipper to enjoy all season long. Serve it over ice or incorporate into your favorite gin cocktails to give them a holiday spin!
Christmas Sangria
Christmas Sangria is a delightful way to celebrate the holidays, all in one gorgeous chilled glass. This festive sangria is just the right balance of crisp and fruity, with a slight touch of sweetness!
Homemade Peppermint Vodka
Homemade peppermint vodka takes holiday spirits to new heights! Infused with candy canes, it’s the ultimate addition to holiday cocktails and homemade gifts.
The Best Homemade Eggnog
The Best Homemade Eggnog will spread cheer from ear to ear this holiday season! The simple, straightforward recipe is flavorful, rich, and boozy, making it ideal for Christmas gatherings of all sizes.
Cranberry Spice Sparkler
This Cranberry Spice Sparkler is how everyone will be toasting the holiday season this year. The sparkling cocktail is packed with cranberry juice and seasonal flavors for your holiday celebrations.
Hot Mulled Apple Cider (non-alcoholic)
Warming spices and orange slices make this delightful warm beverage perfect for a chilly night!
Aperol Negroni
Learn how to make the perfect Aperol Negroni with this simple recipe. The refreshing and delicious combination of Aperol, gin, and sweet vermouth is always a hit. Enjoy it for an evening cocktail or as the signature drink for your next gathering!
Classic Red Sangria
Hosting a party? This delicious and easy red sangria recipe is the perfect crowd-pleaser. The classic Spanish-inspired recipe is made with fresh fruit and a touch of sweetness, so it’s sure to be a hit.
Pear Rosemary Gin and Tonic
A pear rosemary gin and tonic is the classic cocktail you know and love, with a wintery twist. Fresh fruit and herbs infuse the simple syrup, giving the drink ample amounts of flavor without being too sweet!
Cranberry Spice Manhattan Cocktail
A Cranberry Spice Manhattan Cocktail is a holiday favorite that you’ll want to turn into a tradition. The cranberry spice infused whiskey makes the cocktail stand out for happy hour throughout the season! It’s a cranberry bourbon cocktail you can’t miss.
Boozy Baileys Hot Chocolate
Boozy Baileys Hot Chocolate is creamy and rich, making it a delightful cup to cozy up to on a cold winter night. Topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, it’s an easy warm cocktail to indulge in.
Sparkling Holiday Brunch Punch
Sparkling Holiday Brunch Punch is the ideal combination of bubbly celebration in a glass that you should be serving at your next holiday gathering. It’s tangy, it’s fruity, and it’s brimming with bubbles to tickle your taste buds.
Espresso Martini
An espresso martini is the pick-me-up your next cocktail hour needs. Made with simple ingredients and perfectly balanced, you’ll want to sip this classic cocktail anytime of year.
The BEST Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate (non-alcoholic)
The best Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate recipe you will ever try. It comes together easily in the crockpot, and you’ll never taste a better mug of chocolate goodness! You can even make it a spiked hot chocolate.
Cranberry Boulevardier Cocktail
A Cranberry Boulevardier is a festive and tart holiday twist on the classic cocktail. With an easy-to-make homemade cranberry shrub, this boulevardier is tangy, bright and flavorful.
Instant Pot Mulled Wine
Instant Pot Mulled Wine is the coziest holiday drink! Also known as glühwein, this recipe is simple to make in the Instant Pot, but can also be made in the slow cooker or on the stovetop.
Red Christmas Single Serve Sangria
Red Christmas Single Serve Sangria is how I get my sangria fix, without making an entire pitcher of the stuff! Garnished with a sugar-coated sprig of rosemary, you’ll be feeling all merry and bright with every sip.
Cranberry Mimosa
A Cranberry Mimosa (also know as a poinsettia cocktail) is a festive take on mimosas with a cranberry twist. With just three ingredients, they are ready in less than 5 minutes!
Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule
A Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule is a festive cocktail that’s ideal for your next holiday gathering or dinner party! You will want to reach for this for all your winter entertaining. It’s easy to make and only requires 5 ingredients, including orange juice and ginger beer.
Pomegranate Margarita
A Pomegranate Margarita is the summer cocktail you’ve been craving lately. It’s got a vibrant, fruity flavor with just a touch of sweetness and acidity to keep you coming back, sip after sip. Made with pomegranate juice, this is an instant favorite.
Bourbon Manhattan
A Bourbon Manhattan is the best manhattan recipe you’ll find. Instead of using rye whiskey, I reach for the bourbon to pair with the sweet vermouth and bitters. Serve it in a chilled coupe glass for that final gorgeous touch.
Earl Grey Old Fashioned
An Earl Grey Old Fashioned is an elevated version of the classic cocktail, with the rich and warm flavor of tea-infused bourbon. It’s just the comforting drink you need to unwind with at the end of a long day!
my favorite must-haves for christmas cocktails recipes
Let’s get the basic barware out of the way to start. Make sure your cocktail set up includes a bar spoon, jigger, cocktail shaker, cocktail strainer, mixing glass, and muddler. You’ll be able to make any of the above with these basic tools!
When it comes to warm cocktails and drinks, be sure you have a large stockpot, dutch oven, or slow cooker to make them in.
For serving, I use my favorite pitcher, or if you want a punch bowl situation, I think a copper punch bowl always looks eye-catching.
My favorite glassware include coupe glasses, double old fashioned glasses, floral moscow mule mugs, and Gatsby cocktail glasses!
garnish and festive bar cart additions
There are so many things you can add to these Christmas cocktails, or any of your favorite cocktails to make the season more festive! Here’s some ideas to try out:
cinnamon whipped cream – a great addition to hot chocolate bars or your mug of coffee!
cinnamon simple syrup – replace simple syrup in your favorite cocktails with this cinnamon-flavored option to make it more festive! I love using it in an old fashioned, manhattan, or even a vodka cranberry.
cranberry simple syrup – just like the above, but cranberry! My friend Susannah at Feast + West has a recipe I love.
sugar cookie syrup – how festive is this?!
Garnish ideas always include fresh ingredients the pair with the flavors you are using! See below:
Fresh cranberries
Herbs – rosemary, mint, thyme, mint leaves, etc
Cinnamon sticks and other whole spices
Citrus – orange, lime, lemon (wedges, wheels or the peels!)
Shaved chocolate
Whipped cream
Dash of ground cinnamon or nutmeg (particularly for eggnog!)
christmas cocktails and drinks pairings
I have so many holiday themed recipes to check out on my holiday recipes page! Or just pair up any of these drinks with a Christmas cheese board.
For me, no holiday gathering is complete without sweets, though. Here are some reader favorites to check out:
christmas shortbread cookies are the quintessential holiday cookie in our home. We like to dip them in chocolate and top with festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Really any of your favorite Christmas cookies will work!
If you want an incredibly simple dessert/snack, this gingerbread christmas crack candy is the classic crack candy taken to a new level with the addition of warming spices. It tastes like gingerbread!
Everyone loves a festive holiday cookies and these chai snickerdoodles have a touch of spice that brings the holiday season into them. You can also whip up a batch of chewy cranberry white chocolate oatmeal cookies!
just one more thing…
If you’re looking for more holiday recipes for your next gathering or a cozy night in watching Christmas movies, head to my holiday recipes page for more inspiration!
Finally, if you make any of these Christmas cocktails recipes, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
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