33 Best Christmas Cocktails to Celebrate the Season

The holiday season calls for cozy gatherings, clinking glasses, and drinks that smell like cinnamon and sparkle like tinsel. Below are thirty-three cocktail ideas—some classic, some new—that feel right at home next to a roaring fire or under twinkling lights. Every recipe can be made with ingredients found at a well-stocked supermarket or liquor store, so there’s no need for hard-to-find liqueurs. Find your favorites, shake or stir, and enjoy responsible cheer all month long.

1. Classic Eggnog with Bourbon

Rich, custardy eggnog gains gentle warmth from a pour of good bourbon. Using freshly grated nutmeg makes the aroma pop and balances the sweetness. Serve it cold over ice or straight from the fridge in small portions; this drink is indulgent. Garnish with a cinnamon stick so guests can swirl the spices as they sip.

2. Mulled Wine

Simmer fruity red wine with orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, and a splash of brandy until the kitchen smells like a Christmas market. The gentle heat coaxes spices into the liquid without cooking off all the alcohol. Keep the pot on low so guests can refill at will. Leftovers reheat beautifully the next day.

3. Peppermint White Russian

The familiar White Russian gets a wintry twist from clear peppermint schnapps. Cream tempers the mint for a drink that tastes like an iced peppermint mocha for grown-ups. Crush candy canes for the rim if you like extra flair. Stir gently so the layers meld but remain marbled.

4. Cranberry Moscow Mule

Replace part of the lime juice in a classic Moscow Mule with tart cranberry juice for holiday color. The ginger beer still shines, while vodka keeps the profile clean. A handful of cranberries doubles as garnish and makes the mug look festive. Serve in copper for tradition, though any sturdy glass will do.

5. Hot Buttered Rum

This colonial-era drink blends dark rum with a batter of butter, brown sugar, and baking spices. Once the butter melts, every sip feels velvety and warming. Keep the batter in the fridge and add hot water and rum whenever the mood strikes. A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg just before serving brightens the richness.

6. Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail

Equal parts dry sparkling wine and cranberry juice create a bubbly drink the exact hue of its namesake flower. A tiny pour of triple sec supplies sweet citrus notes without overpowering the flute. Assemble right before serving so bubbles last. It pairs nicely with hors d’oeuvres or dessert alike.

7. Spiced Cranberry Margarita

Tequila teams up with cranberry juice and fresh lime for a south-of-the-border holiday drink. Shake with a bit of orange liqueur and a thin jalapeño slice to add a hint of heat. A salt or spiced sugar rim keeps flavors lively. Serve on the rocks so the drink remains bright, not slushy.

8. Irish Coffee

Strong hot coffee meets smooth Irish whiskey, then gets topped with barely sweetened whipped cream that slowly melts into the cup. Heating the glass with warm water first helps keep the drink steamy. Use freshly brewed coffee for best flavor. Skip stirring so each sip travels through cream, coffee, and whiskey in turn.

9. Sparkling Pomegranate Gin Fizz

Gin loves the sweet-tart flavor of pomegranate juice. Shake with lemon juice and simple syrup, then top with club soda for a festive fizz. The rosemary sprig perfumes every sip without overwhelming. If using fresh seeds, spoon a few into the glass for extra sparkle.

10. Maple Bourbon Smash

Maple syrup replaces simple syrup for a subtle woodsy sweetness that complements bourbon. Muddle orange and mint, add bourbon, maple, and ice, then give it a vigorous shake. Strain over fresh crushed ice for a frosty texture. The drink bridges autumn and winter flavors seamlessly.

11. Blood Orange Negroni

A traditional Negroni relies on equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Swapping regular orange for blood orange juice adds deeper color and berry-like notes. Stir with large ice to minimize dilution. Garnish with a twist of the striking crimson peel for dramatic effect.

12. Hot Toddy with Cinnamon

Hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon create a soothing classic that doubles as a remedy for chilly nights. A whole cinnamon stick infuses flavor as it stirs. Aim for water that’s just off the boil so honey dissolves quickly. Adjust sweetness by adding more or less honey to taste.

13. Rosemary Greyhound

Fresh grapefruit juice and vodka make a simple Greyhound; adding rosemary syrup feels instantly festive. The herb’s piney aroma suits the season and dresses up the glass. Salt the rim lightly if you enjoy a savory edge. Serve over plenty of ice to tame the citrus bite.

14. Chocolate Peppermint Martini

Crème de cacao and vodka join forces with peppermint schnapps for a dessert-like drink. Shaking with ice chills and slightly dilutes the rich ingredients. Strain into a well-chilled glass so the surface stays glossy. Garnish lightly; too much candy cane can overshadow the chocolate.

15. Negroni Sbagliato (with Prosecco)

The “mistaken” Negroni swaps gin for prosecco, resulting in lower alcohol and plenty of fizz. Combine equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth over ice, then top with chilled prosecco. This lighter riff shines at brunch or early evening gatherings. An orange slice provides fragrant oils with each sip.

16. Snowball

Popular in the UK, the Snowball blends advocaat—a creamy Dutch egg liqueur—with fizzy lemonade and a squeeze of lime. The result tastes like boozy lemon custard. It’s low in alcohol, making it ideal for long celebrations. Serve well chilled for best texture.

17. Fig & Thyme Gin Sour

Homemade fig syrup turns a standard gin sour into a winter delight. Shaking with egg white yields a silky foam that holds thyme’s aroma close to the nose. A dash of bitters gives balance and complexity. Double strain to keep seeds out of the final pour.

18. Apple Cider Sidecar

Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice form the backbone of a Sidecar; replacing some lemon with spiced apple cider leans it into winter. The sugar rim amplifies the apple’s natural sweetness. Shake vigorously with ice for a crisp edge. Enjoy before dinner in place of mulled cider.

19. Cranberry French 75

Gin, lemon, and sugar already make the French 75 a celebratory classic. Adding cranberry juice cocktail introduces festive blush and tartness. Top with chilled Champagne right before serving. Keep ingredients very cold so bubbles persist longer.

20. Brandy Alexander

Cognac, dark crème de cacao, and cream combine for a velvety dessert drink that first appeared in the early 1900s. Serve it well chilled but without ice so texture stays lush. A whisper of nutmeg on top offers gentle spice. It pairs well with Christmas cookies or chocolate truffles.

21. Apricot Flip

Flips contain a whole egg, which produces a rich, custard-like body. Apricot brandy supplies orchard sweetness while bourbon grounds the drink. Shake without ice first, then with ice, to create maximum foam. Strain into a chilled glass and enjoy slowly.

22. Holiday Sangria

Red wine joins brandy, cranberry juice, and seasonal fruits for a large-format drink that’s easy on the host. Let it chill for at least four hours so flavors meld. Top with a splash of ginger ale just before serving for gentle bubbles. Guests can ladle fruit into their glasses for a sweet snack.

23. Spiked Chai Latte

Steep black tea with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, then combine with steamed milk for a comforting base. Dark rum folds in seamlessly, echoing the spices. Sweeten with honey to preference. Serve piping hot in heatproof mugs.

24. Winter Aperol Spritz

Swapping the usual orange slice for blood orange and adding a dash of allspice dram makes the summertime spritz winter-ready. Prosecco and club soda keep it light. Build directly in the glass for ease. The rosemary garnish nods to evergreen garlands on the mantle.

25. Cranberry Bourbon Smash

A handful of fresh cranberries muddled with sugar and lemon brightens robust bourbon. Top with crushed ice for a julep-like texture. If cranberries are too tart, add a drizzle of honey. The color alone feels perfect for holiday photos.

26. Saffron Gin & Tonic

Infuse a small amount of gin with a few saffron strands for twenty minutes; the spice gives both color and delicate earthiness. Pair with extra-dry tonic to avoid overpowering the flavor. A squeeze of lime sharpens the edges. Serve over oversized ice so bubbles last longer.

27. Yuletide Punch

A blend of aged rum, dry sherry, black tea, lemon juice, and demerara syrup yields a complex bowl suited for a crowd. Add an ice block to chill without quick dilution. Freshly grated nutmeg over the top perfumes the room. Ladle into small cups so guests can return for refills.

28. Blackberry Sage Champagne Cocktail

Muddle a ripe blackberry with a touch of simple syrup and strain into a chilled flute. The berry tints the bubbly blush pink as it rests. Drop a fresh sage leaf to add faint herbal character. This quick cocktail suits New Year’s Eve as well as Christmas dinner.

29. Cardamom Vodka Collins

Create cardamom syrup by simmering pods with sugar and water. Combine with vodka, lemon juice, and ice, then top with chilled club soda. The spice reads subtle yet unmistakable. A lemon wheel garnish emphasizes the bright acidity.

30. White Christmas Mojito

Coconut milk lightens the traditional mojito and gives it a snowy appearance. White rum, lime, and mint keep the flavor profile recognizable. Pomegranate seeds add color and gentle tartness. Serve over crushed ice for a frosty finish.

31. Ginger Cranberry Paloma

Combine blanco tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, and ginger syrup for a crisp, lightly spicy Paloma variant. A salted rim contrasts nicely with the sweetness. Top with club soda for effervescence. It’s a refreshing option alongside heavy holiday fare.

32. Spiced Pear Bellini

Puree ripe pears with a pinch of cinnamon and strain for silky texture. Spoon the puree into a flute, then gently top with chilled prosecco. Stir once to combine without losing bubbles. The flavor feels elegant next to brunch classics like quiche or pastries.

33. Rum & Horchata Cinnamon Cocktail

Mix equal parts premade horchata and spiced rum for an effortless nightcap. The rice-based drink brings vanilla and almond notes that marry well with cinnamon-forward rum. Serve over ice and dust lightly with more cinnamon. It’s reminiscent of rice pudding in liquid form—perfect by the fireplace.