Festive Christmas Cocktails to Celebrate the Season

Holiday Sangria

The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and, of course, festive drinks! As Christmas approaches, many of us start planning gatherings filled with holiday cheer, delicious food, and beautiful decorations. But what truly takes a holiday party to the next level? The perfect Christmas cocktail! Whether you’re looking to impress your guests with something fun and festive, or just want to sip on something cozy by the fireplace, Christmas cocktails are a great way to celebrate the season. From classics like eggnog to modern twists with candy cane flavors, there’s a drink for everyone. Below are some simple but festive cocktail recipes that are sure to spread holiday cheer.

1. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cocktail

This cozy drink is a mix of sweet and minty goodness. Perfect for cold winter nights!

Hot chocolate with whipped cream and dried

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup hot chocolate
  • 1 shot peppermint schnapps
  • Whipped cream
  • Crushed candy canes

Instructions:

  1. Make your favorite hot chocolate.
  2. Add a shot of peppermint schnapps and stir.
  3. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.

2. Cranberry Mimosa

A holiday twist on the classic mimosa, this drink is perfect for Christmas brunch.

Cranberry Mimosa

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup cranberry juice
  • 1/2 cup champagne or sparkling cider
  • Fresh cranberries for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Pour cranberry juice into a glass.
  2. Top it off with champagne or sparkling cider.
  3. Add a few fresh cranberries for decoration.

3. Spiked Eggnog

Eggnog is a traditional holiday drink, but it’s even better with a little extra kick!

Eggnog

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup store-bought eggnog
  • 1 shot rum or bourbon
  • Nutmeg or cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Pour eggnog into a glass.
  2. Stir in a shot of rum or bourbon.
  3. Sprinkle nutmeg or cinnamon on top.

4. Candy Cane Martini

This cocktail tastes like Christmas in a glass! It’s sweet, minty, and festive.

Candy Cane Martini

Ingredients:

  • 1 shot vodka
  • 1 shot peppermint schnapps
  • 1/2 shot crème de cacao
  • Crushed candy cane for rim

Instructions:

  1. Rim a martini glass with crushed candy cane.
  2. In a shaker, combine vodka, peppermint schnapps, and crème de cacao with ice.
  3. Shake well and pour into the glass.

5. Holiday Sangria

This fruity drink is great for parties because it can be made in large batches.

Holiday Sangria

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle red wine
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • Sliced oranges, apples, and cranberries
  • Cinnamon sticks

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine wine, orange juice, and brandy.
  2. Add sliced fruit and cinnamon sticks.
  3. Stir and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

More Christmas Cocktails

If you’re craving even more festive sips this holiday season, you’re in luck! We’ve rounded up some incredible Christmas cocktail recipes from talented food bloggers who know how to bring the holiday cheer. From classic favorites to creative new twists, these drinks are sure to make your celebrations extra merry and bright. Check out their delicious recipes below and find even more inspiration for your next holiday gathering!

  1. Bailey's Peppermint Martini's

    Bailey's Peppermint Martini's

    Bailey's Peppermint Martinis are a fun, festive, and delicious cocktail perfect for entertaining this Holiday season!

  2. Mistletoe Margarita Recipe

    Mistletoe Margarita Recipe

    his Mistletoe Margarita recipe is sure to be one of your favorite margarita recipes! Christmas Margaritas will be a hit at the holiday party!

  3. Gingerbread White Russian

    Gingerbread White Russian

    This Gingerbread White Russian recipe is perfect for after dinner or any time you need a little pick-me up.

  4. Cranberry Spritzer

    Cranberry Spritzer

    This classic cranberry spritzer is easy to make and goes down a treat! It's perfect for any season of the year.

  5. Spiked Hot Chocolate with Vodka

    Spiked Hot Chocolate with Vodka

    Cooler temperatures are the perfect time for this easy Spiked Hot Chocolate with Vodka. Yummy, delicious and so simple to make!

  6. Cranberry Moscow Mule

    Cranberry Moscow Mule

    Easy to make, these four-ingredient Cranberry Moscow Mule cocktails are festive, delicious and perfect for your next Christmas party.

  7. Eggnog Espresso Martini

    Eggnog Espresso Martini

    Celebrate the holidays with this eggnog espresso martini. Quick and easy to make, this eggnog martini recipe is a delicious holiday cocktail.

  8. Baileys On Ice

    Baileys On Ice

    Baileys on ice-an Irish cream liqueur cocktail is the simplest, most festive, party worthy drink you could make.

  9. White Christmas Mimosa

    White Christmas Mimosa

    White Christmas Mimosa is a deliciously festive drink for celebrating the Christmas season. Stop dreaming of a white Christmas and make one!

  10. Loaded Christmas Ale Cocktail

    Loaded Christmas Ale Cocktail

    This Loaded Christmas Ale cocktail is very easy to make and tastes like pure Christmastime in a glass. But watch out: it's potent!

  11. Cranberry Moscow Mule

    Cranberry Moscow Mule

    For a fruit-flavored mix, this Christmas Cranberry Moscow Mule offers a sweet spin on the classic cocktail.

  12. Holiday Cranberry Punch

    Holiday Cranberry Punch

    Holiday Cranberry Punch is sure to be the star of the celebration with its powerful berry flavor of cranberries and raspberries with vanilla.

  13. Holiday Margarita Recipe

    Holiday Margarita Recipe

    Go for a Christmas twist with this Holiday Margarita Recipe that blends in coconut milk and garnishes with cranberries and rosemary sprigs.

  14. Perfect Peppermint Martini

    Perfect Peppermint Martini

    Want a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays? If so, you’ll definitely want to give this Peppermint Martini a try!

  15. Blackberry Gin Smash Cocktail

    Blackberry Gin Smash Cocktail

    The Blackberry Smash is a delightful libation blending the earthy flavors of gin with the vibrant essence of fresh blackberries. Try it today!

  16. Creamy Vegan Eggnog Espresso Martini

    Creamy Vegan Eggnog Espresso Martini

    A delicious vegan espresso martini made with creamy eggnog and comforting spices. The perfect side-kick for the holidays

  17. Bourbon Cream Chocolate Martini

    Bourbon Cream Chocolate Martini

    Bourbon is the star in this delicious Bourbon Cream Chocolate Martini! Enjoy & serve this fabulous dessert cocktail to elevate the holidays!

  18. Easy Cranberry Spritzer

    Easy Cranberry Spritzer

    Easy Cranberry Spritzer is the ideal holiday drink! Cranberry simple syrup, fresh lemon topped with lemon-lime soda, need a cocktail? Add a splash of vodka.

  19. Cranberry Lemon Drop Martini

    Cranberry Lemon Drop Martini

    This Cranberry Lemon Drop Martini is a sweet-tart; bright, delicious and festive holiday cocktail! With easy make-ahead cranberry simple syrup.

  20. Pomegranate Spritzer Cocktail With Lime

    Pomegranate Spritzer Cocktail With Lime

    This festive pomegranate spritzer is the perfect blend of light, bubbly, and sweet and makes for the ideal celebratory beverage!

  21. Kir Royale Cocktail

    Kir Royale Cocktail

    This Kir Royale cocktail is the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and bubbly. Lipsmacking good, and only 2 ingredients!

  22. Candy Cane Swirl Cocktail

    Candy Cane Swirl Cocktail

    This candy cane cocktail recipe makes the most delicious festive drink for the holiday season! It's perfect for celebrating Christmas.

  23. Oat Milk Eggnog (Vegan or Traditional)

    Oat Milk Eggnog (Vegan or Traditional)

    This Oat Milk Eggnog is creamy, rich, and has warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg! You can make it with Chobani, or any oat milk you like

  24. Christmas Sangria

    Christmas Sangria

    Get your holiday vibes going with our Christmas Sangria! Packed with all the seasonal flavors you love, it's the ultimate festive drink.

  25. Grasshopper Cocktail

    Grasshopper Cocktail

    This delicious and festive Grasshopper Cocktail with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and vodka is perfect for any celebration.

  26. Christmas Vodka Cocktail (Santa Cocktail)

    Christmas Vodka Cocktail (Santa Cocktail)

    This Christmas Vodka Cocktail recipe expertly mixes vodka, cranberry and two other simple ingredients to create the perfect holiday beverage.

  27. Mistletoe Cocktail

    Mistletoe Cocktail

    This mistletoe cocktail is a blend of RumChata, butterscotch schnapps, creme de menthe, and a dash of grenadine, creating a vibrant red and green holiday drink.

  28. Christmas Sugar Cookie Martini

    Christmas Sugar Cookie Martini

    Packed with flavors of vanilla, cream, and a hint of almond, this Sugar Cookie Martini is the festive drink you need this holiday season.

  29. Holiday Cranberry Gimlet

    Holiday Cranberry Gimlet

    Holiday Cranberry Gimlet —effervescent, ruby red delight blending sour-bitter cranberry, sweet mandarine, orange-infused gin, and sparkling wine.

  30. Holiday Cranberry Cocktail

    Holiday Cranberry Cocktail

    'Tis the season to make a toast with this Cranberry Rosemary Cocktail. The festive flavors are a perfect pairing for any type of snack.

  31. Outback Gingerbread Martini

    Outback Gingerbread Martini

    This Outback Gingerbread Martini is an easy copycat recipe for the classic holiday cocktail from the Outback Steakhouse.

  32. Brandy Alexander Cocktail

    Brandy Alexander Cocktail

    A rich, slightly spicy drink with notes of cinnamon and chocolate, it's almost like a more booze-forward version of the classic hot cocoa.

  33. Peppermint Espresso Martini

    Peppermint Espresso Martini

    Spice up a classic espresso martini with a candy cane twist! Think of a boozy peppermint mocha with vodka, espresso, peppermint, & chocolate sauce. Enjoy this festive cocktail during the holiday season as a delicious Christmas drink. This Peppermint Espresso Martini is the perfect Christmas cocktail for holiday season. A traditional espresso martini is given

  34. Lambrusco Spritz

    Lambrusco Spritz

    Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Use it in place of prosecco in a classic spritz with complementing flavors of aperol and orange. It is a refreshing and gorgeous drink that is easy to batch for a crowd. The perfect spritz for the holiday season! We all know and

  35. Winter Aperol Spritz

    Winter Aperol Spritz

    Enjoy a winter version of an aperol spritz with flavours of cranberry, orange, and rosemary. The sweet juice perfectly balances the bitter aperol, topped with prosecco, club soda, and fresh cranberries. Enjoy this delicious simple cocktail during the holidays. We all know and love an aperol spritz in the summertime—a refreshing summer drink made of

  36. Holiday Sangria (Winter Sangria)

    Holiday Sangria (Winter Sangria)

    This Christmas Holiday Sangria is just the right blend of sweet and tart fruity accents with the robust flavor of rich red wine.

  37. Pomegranate Apple Sangria

    Pomegranate Apple Sangria

    This Pomegranate Apple Sangria is a super easy make-ahead recipe that gets better as it sits. Perfect for parties!

Conclusion

Christmas is about more than just gifts and decorations—it’s a time to create lasting memories with the people you care about. These festive cocktails add a special touch to your holiday gatherings, bringing warmth, fun, and a taste of Christmas spirit to every sip. Whether you’re hosting a large holiday bash or enjoying a quiet night at home, these drinks are sure to make the season feel even more magical. Try these recipes and make this Christmas one to remember! Just be sure to enjoy them responsibly, and cheers to a holiday filled with love, laughter, and the perfect holiday cocktail!

Christmas Cocktails

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