10+ Best Christmas Cocktail Recipes to Sip in Style

10

The holiday season is here, bringing cosy gatherings, laughter, and, of course, festive drinks! Why not elevate your Christmas party this year with some crowd-pleasing cocktails? From timeless classics like creamy Eggnog to refreshing Cranberry Aperol Spritz, these 20 hand-picked recipes are guaranteed to add sparkle to your celebrations.

Whether you’re into bold flavours or something light and bubbly, there’s a cocktail for every mood. So, mix, sip, and toast to the season. Here’s to good times, great drinks, and a merry, memorable Christmas! Cheers!

Festively flavoured Cocktails

The holiday season is synonymous with welcoming flavours that have the warmth and richness of Christmas, bringing a festive twist. From Sugarplum Spritz to a gingerbread martini with brown sugar, these cheekily named concoctions promise a whole new level of holiday mirth. Dive in and savour the explosion of yuletide flavours!

Sugarplum Spritz

Source

User: @ninaunrated

A refreshing blend that reimagines your favourite summer sipper with a holiday spin, the Sugarplum Spritz will charm your guests with its cute name and light, sparkling palate. The spritz captures the magic of Christmas with a frisson of wintry flavour. Here are the highlights of this merry cocktail:

Combining prosecco, sloe gin, and some sugar plum syrup, this drink dances with rich, fruity undertones. A few drops of lemon juice add a twinge of tartness, balancing the sweetness brilliantly. Top off with soda water and garnish with sugar-dusted plums for a frothy, fun finish. Finally, a splash of bitters ties all the flavours together perfectly for you!.

Gingerbread Martini

Source

User: @cherrybales

Get ready to believe in Santa as our Gingerbread Martini swirls the taste of the beloved Christmas cookies into a glass! The potpourri of flavours in this adorable concoction befits every festive cocktail party, making it the perfect fun Christmas cocktail, and brings a rush of childhood memories back.

This cocktail starts with a spiced simple syrup (think ginger, cloves, and nutmeg), mimicking the spices in real gingerbread. It then incorporates the smoothness of good quality vodka and adds a hint of dark molasses, replete with robust, nostalgic warmth. As a decadent finishing touch, the glass edge is crusted with crushed ginger cookies, while a miniature gingerbread cookie adorns the rim. One sip of the creamy, full-bodied Gingerbread Martini, and you’ll be humming Christmas carols, vowing to leave out a couple more cookies for Santa this year.

Classic Christmas Cocktails

Now, let’s sail down memory lane to rekindle the fond memories of Christmases past with some all-time classic cocktails, shall we? These tried-and-true recipes have graced Christmas tables for generations, bringing the comforting rhythm of tradition amidst the whirlwind of holiday fuss.

So, whether you are craving the warm hug of Wassail or the smooth kiss of Eggnog, these vintage classics, served in their cosy traditional attire, will make your holiday celebrations even more unique and memorable.

Wassail

Source

User: @njparkes

First on our list of classics is the Wassail, a drink with deep-seated roots in the English Yuletide tradition. This warm and spiced punch was traditionally served during festive caroling in exchange for gifts. However, this historical indulgence is far from outdated. With its blend of mulled cider, ale, or wine, Wassail is the ideal blend of merriment and warmth. Here’s a layout of what goes into this timeless classic:

By topping it up with some extra cinnamon sticks and apple slices, you can serve up bowls of joy for your holiday guests.

Eggnog

Next on our roster of classics is the irresistible Eggnog, the quintessential Christmas drink made with classic eggnog. No Yule log is complete without a glass of this creamy delight by its side. Rich, smooth, and brimming with the yolky goodness of eggs, this cocktail pairs splendidly with any Christmas treat.

Combined with a spirit of choice – be it the mellow warmth of rum, the sharpness of whiskey, or the sophistication of brandy – the Eggnog transforms into a velvety mix of creamy perfection. Served chilled and garnished with a light dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon, it’s truly the crown jewel of Christmas drinks. So why settle for store-bought when homemade Eggnog can bring so much more joy and cheer to your festivities?

Refreshingly Fruity Mixes

While rich flavours and creamy concoctions are reminiscent of holiday comfort, a burst of fruity freshness can provide an exhilarating twist to the festive drink line-up. These exuberantly fruity mixes bring a fresh, vibrant touch to the Christmas table.

With cocktails such as the white Christmas Mojito and the sparkling Cranberry Aperol Spritz, treat your guests to a memorable and refreshing departure from the traditional Christmas fare, showcasing your liquor of choice during this time of year. Let’s dive into the flavourful explosion that these fruity mixers promise.

White Christmas Mojito

Source

User: @makeupmunchkin

One sip of the White Christmas Mojito, and you’ll find yourselves amidst a snowy winter wonderland, no matter where you are. With mint sprigs and limes muddled to perfection, this cocktail balances every burst of flavour immaculately:

The punchy zest of the rum is perfectly cut through by the sweet symphony of a coconut milk mix. The pop of tart cranberries and the sweetness of pomegranate seeds festoon the drink, adding a vibrant contrast of flavours. As a sparkling finish, a splash of soda water lifts the drink, making it all the more refreshing. Garnished with sugared cranberries and fresh mint leaves, this cocktail is indeed a Christmas miracle in a glass.

Cranberry Aperol Spritz

Combining festive flair with a beloved go-to cocktail, the Cranberry Aperol Spritz brings holiday cheer in each effervescent sip. Using cranberry juice instead of the regular orange gives this drink a festive, blood-red twist that’s irresistibly charming.

The robust flavour of cranberries is balanced with a sweet and bitter blast of Aperol, spiced up with a hint of gin or bourbon for an extra kick. Prosecco adds the iconic sparkle that rockets this cocktail into celebration mode. And if you prefer a less sweet drink, just replace the cranberry juice cocktail with 100% cranberry juice. Served over ice and garnished with rosemary sprigs and fresh cranberries, this gem is a stunner in the holiday beverage line-up.

Creamy and Cosy Creations

Christmas and comfort are two sides of the same coin. In our selection of Christmas cocktails, we pay homage to this harmony with an array of creamy and cosy creations.

These drinks wrap you in a comforting embrace, at once reminding you of snuggling by the fire, a soft woolen blanket, or a loved one’s hug. With their rich and smooth textures and delightful flavours, they add a unique warmth and depth to your holiday celebrations. Let’s unfold this creamy magic with drinks like Coquito and Spiked Hot Chocolate.

Coquito

Source

User: @wholetogethernow

The Coquito is the epitome of tropical bliss packaged elegantly into a charming holiday cocktail. No Christmas celebration in Puerto Rico is complete without this festive rum-spiked coconut drink. Its creamy consistency brings an eggnog-like familiarity, but the coconut cream and condensed milk give it a distinctively tropical flavour.

The base of rum adds a hint of Caribbean warmth that ties everything up perfectly. Sprinkle some ground cinnamon on top as a finishing touch, transforming this cocktail into a glass of snowy Christmas with a tropical twist. Sail away to the tropics with each sip of this delectable drink!

Spiked Hot Chocolate

As the wind grows colder and the nights longer, nothing is quite as comforting as a mug of hot chocolate, especially when it’s a delicious hot chocolate recipe. Yet, our version of this wintry staple boasts a wee bit of festive cheer – a generous spike of whiskey that gives it just the right amount of kick.

The indulgent blend of melted chocolate, heavy cream, and a touch of sugar becomes extraordinary when combined with the liquid gold that is whiskey. Take this decadent concoction further with whipped cream dolloped lavishly on top and sprinkles of cocoa or marshmallows for a delightful finish. Enjoy this pleasurable treat while curling up next to the fire with your favourite Christmas carol playing softly in the background.

Holiday Punches and Sangrias

What’s the festive season without a big punch bowl of punch or a glass of sangria shared with loved ones? Holiday punches and sangrias are the perfect way to serve up a batch of merry magic for larger gatherings.

They bring a communal spirit to any event that’s central to the holiday essence. These drinks are incredibly easy to prepare and offer a mix-and-match playground of flavours. Whether it’s a spiced Christmas Punch or a richly flavoured Glögg, these offerings will certainly make your gatherings more enjoyable and spirited.

Christmas Punch

When you seek straightforward sophistication in a large batch format, our Christmas Punch is all you need. This punch cleverly forgoes added sugar, deriving natural sweetness from apple cider instead. For some spice, we throw in ginger beer, and the sourness comes from unsweetened cranberry juice. This refined assembly gives the punch a uniquely sophisticated character that’s a far cry from typical sugary punches. Here’s a brief on this cocktail’s essentials:

Serve this elegant punch in a grand bowl and marvel as it becomes the star attraction at your Christmas party.

Glögg

Source

User: @nathaliie.k

Transport your senses to a Swedish winter landscape with the Glögg. The traditional Swedish drink gets its robust flavour from a selection of warming spices, wine, and a hint of sugar. The result is a concoction that resembles a less-sweet mulled wine, with ginger adding a spicy punch and white rum bringing in warmth.

A fragrant mix of cardamom, cloves, star anise, and a hint of citrus zest adore this festive crowd-pleaser. Serve this warm drink in mugs garnished with raisins and slivered almonds. The pleasant aroma of Glögg wafting through your house will make your guests feel instantaneously cosy and welcomed, just like a warm Christmas hug.

Christmas Mule

Source

User: @chuck120569

The Christmas Mule is an inspired take on the beloved Moscow Mule. This cocktail takes pear vodka and blends it with steaming ginger beer, spiced up with a dash of lemon juice for some zing.

The result is a tasty explosion of flavours in a steaming cup that’s perfect for colder nights. Adding a small flaming cinnamon stick garnish makes this concoction a fascinating spectacle. Paired with ginger cookies or holiday pies, the Christmas Mule makes an excellent after-dinner drink. Get ready to spread jolly cheer with each sip of this delightful cocktail.

Conclusion

The spirit of Christmas is all about sharing joy, love, and some great food and alcoholic drinks, of course! Whatever your plans are for the holiday season, entertaining with these fabulously festive Christmas cocktails will definitely elevate the cheerful mood. Whether you’re cosying up to the fireplace with a lovingly crafted Coquito, trading stories over a bowl of Christmas Punch, or ringing in the New Year with a finesse-filled French 77, these cocktails can offer much more than just a delightful sip.

They become conversation starters, memory triggers, and joyful rituals that seep into your holiday traditions. Remember, the best part about these recipes is their versatility. While the recipes serve as a guide, feel free to adjust ingredients to suit your tastes. So this festive season, open your heart, pour generously, laugh heartily, and raise your glass to the magic of Christmas!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some non-alcoholic options for festive drinks?

Non-alcoholic festive drinks can be just as delicious and celebratory. What better way to enjoy them than with options like warm apple cider spiced with cinnamon and cloves, refreshing cranberry spritzers topped with soda, or even creamy homemade eggnog without the added spirits?

Which Christmas cocktail is easiest to prepare in large batches for guests?

The Christmas Punch and the Glögg are perfect choices if you’re looking to serve large groups at a time. These punch recipes are easy to scale up and require minimal last-minute prep, allowing you to enjoy the party instead of playing bartender all night.

How can I make a cocktail more festive with garnishes and presentation?

Ensure your cocktails look as festive as they taste during holiday parties, including Christmas Eve! Garnish your drinks with fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, or peppermint sticks. Use lime juice in your mixes for a refreshing twist, sugared rims for added sparkle, and serve punches in clear bowls with fruit-filled ice cubes to create an eye-catching centrepiece.

What is the name of the pink Christmas cocktail?

The Pink Squirrel is a creamy pink cocktail that is often associated with Christmas because of its colour and decadent richness. Its blend of almond-flavoured crème de noyaux, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream creates a luxuriously creamy and dessert-like drink.