Spice up your holiday season with these delicious and festive Christmas cocktail recipes. From classic eggnog to creative peppermint martinis, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Nothing says festive cheer quite like Christmas cocktails, and this holiday season is the perfect opportunity to explore a variety of delicious, merry drinks. From classic favourites such as eggnog and mulled wine to inventive twists on martinis, margaritas and punches, Christmas cocktails bring warmth, flavour and festive spirit to every gathering. Whether you’re hosting a cosy evening by the fire or a lively holiday party, these drinks are designed to delight both the eyes and the taste buds.
Traditional Christmas cocktails evoke nostalgia with their comforting aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, citrus and warming spirits. Rich eggnogs, spiced mulled wines and creamy Coquito showcase the timeless appeal of seasonal flavours, offering both elegance and familiarity. Served hot or cold, with a frothy topping or a festive garnish, these classic recipes are perfect for sharing with loved ones and enjoying the magic of the holidays.
For those looking to add a modern twist, creative Christmas cocktails take inspiration from classic recipes while adding playful, contemporary touches. Think peppermint and gingerbread martinis, sparkling pomegranate mimosas, or bright, citrusy mules. With 28 festive recipes to explore, there’s a Christmas cocktail for every mood, taste and occasion, from indulgent dessert drinks to light, refreshing punches, ensuring your holiday celebrations are full of cheer and flavour.
Classic Christmas Cocktails
Eggnog & Nog-Style Cocktails
This recipe for Apple Cider Eggnog from Combine Good Flavors makes a warm, festive cocktail by gently heating spiced apple cider with a little cinnamon and maple syrup (or honey). After removing from the heat you stir in creamy eggnog (or Austrian egg-liqueur) plus a splash of dark rum (if you like). The drink is then poured into glasses, topped with whipped cream, dusted with cinnamon and garnished with a cinnamon stick and apple slice, cozy, seasonal and ideal for holiday gatherings.
This version of Coquito (coconut egg-nog) from Sweet Tea + Thyme blends creamy coconut cream and coconut milk with evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon and fresh nutmeg with optional egg yolks for extra thickness. Then you add two kinds of rum (a dark or spiced rum and a white or coconut-rum) to taste, blend everything and chill it for at least four hours (or overnight) so the flavours meld. The result is a rich, sweet, festive drink , thick, coconutty, full of warm spice and perfect for holiday sipping.
This recipe for Eggnog Espresso Martini from My Rad Kitchen mixes fresh-brewed espresso, creamy eggnog, vanilla vodka and coffee liqueur (plus optional simple syrup, nutmeg or cinnamon) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake it for 20–30 seconds until cold and frothy, then strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass. The result is a rich, smooth and festive cocktail, like a classic espresso martini dressed up for the holidays.
Mulled Wine / Warm Holiday Drinks
This version of Scandinavian-style mulled wine from Boulder Locavore (known as “Glogg”) blends red wine with orange peel and juice, sugar, raisins, cloves and cinnamon sticks, then gently simmers (without boiling) for 10–15 minutes to infuse. Once warmed and strained, it’s served hot in mugs with a few blanched almonds dropped in for a traditional touch. The end result is a warm, spiced, fruity drink perfect for cosy winter evenings or holiday celebrations.
This version of Spiced Mulled Wine from The Forked Spoon mixes a bottle of red wine with a splash of brandy, plus slices of orange, fresh blackberries and cranberries, whole cloves, star-anise and cinnamon sticks, all sweetened with maple syrup (or brown sugar). You gently warm everything on the stove (or in a slow cooker) for about 15-20 minutes, just enough to allow the fruit and spices to infuse, but not boil off the alcohol. The result is a warm, fragrant, fruity-spiced mulled wine, perfect for cosy winter evenings, decorated with extra orange slices, berries and maybe a cinnamon stick.
This recipe Slow Cooker Mulled Wine from Hungry Whisk from Hungry Whisk combines a bottle of fruity red wine with orange juice, a splash of brandy (or orange liqueur), maple syrup, slices of orange and lemon, frozen cranberries, and warming spices: cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, allspice and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
You simply pour everything into a slow cooker, simmer on low for about 2½ hours (stirring occasionally, without boiling), then keep it warm so the flavours continue to mingle.
The result is a richly spiced, fruity, warming mulled wine, perfect for cosy winter nights or festive get-togethers, served in mugs with a cinnamon stick, orange slice and a few cranberries as garnish.
Christmas Cocktails with Creative Twists
Martinis
This Gingerbread Martini from BrewBuzzBlend mixes a gingerbread syrup with vodka, cream liqueur (and often a splash of cream or milk), shaken with ice in a cocktail-shaker. You then strain it into a chilled martini glass (optionally rimmed with crushed gingerbread or cookies) and garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a little gingerbread biscuit or cookie. The result is a creamy, sweet and spiced cocktail whose flavour evokes gingerbread: rich, festive, cosy and perfect for winter nights.
This recipe from Masala & Chai for a “Chai Espresso Martini” mixes freshly brewed espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur, a chai concentrate (spiced chai) and a splash of cream-liqueur (or milk/cream) in a cocktail shaker with ice. You shake it vigorously until chilled and frothy, then strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with coffee beans, a dusting of cinnamon or a star anise. The result is a rich, creamy martini that blends bold coffee with warm chai-spice aromatics, a delicious twist on the classic.
Margaritas
This Mistletoe Margarita from Chenée Today is a festive twist on a classic margarita: it uses reposado tequila, fresh lime juice, and a spiced cranberry-agave syrup that’s made by simmering cranberries, water, agave nectar, orange peel, a cinnamon stick and a couple of cloves. Once the syrup is cooled, you shake tequila, lime juice and some of the syrup with ice and pour into chilled glasses over ice. The result is a bright, tart-sweet, cranberry-tinged margarita, perfect for Christmas parties, especially when garnished with cranberries, orange or lime slices and a cinnamon stick for extra holiday charm.
Moscow Mules
This Merry Christmas Moscow Mule from Sweet Tea + Thyme, a festive twist on a mule, mixes pomegranate juice, fresh lime juice, a homemade ginger syrup and either vodka (for a cocktail) or nothing (for a mocktail) with muddled sage and ginger for herbal spice. After stirring over ice and topping with ginger beer, you pour it into a copper mug (or glass) and garnish with pomegranate seeds and a sprig of sage for a cheerful holiday finish. The result is a bright, fizzy, slightly spicy and herb‑tinged drink, perfect for Christmas parties, whether you want something alcoholic or alcohol‑free.
This Orange Moscow Mule from The Crafty Blog Stalker puts a citrus-twist on the classic mule by mixing vodka with freshly squeezed orange juice and a little lime juice. You add ice, top with ginger beer, stir and garnish (often with cranberries or an orange slice) for a festive touch. The result is a bright, refreshing cocktail, citrusy, zesty and slightly spicy from the ginger beer, ideal for holiday or summer gatherings.
Amaretto Cocktails
This Cranberry Amaretto Cocktail from Boulder Locavore mixes sweetened cranberry juice with sweet almond‑flavoured amaretto liqueur and freshly squeezed orange juice, shaken with ice. The drink is strained into a glass over fresh ice and garnished with fresh cranberries for a festive look. The result is a bright and slightly tart yet sweet cocktail, combining nutty almond, citrus and berry flavours, ideal for holiday celebrations.
Wine-Based Cocktails
This festive Pomegranate Mimosa from The Wholesome Spoon combines freshly blended pomegranate juice with fresh orange and lime juice, then topped up with chilled sparkling wine (champagne or prosecco) in a sugar‑rimmed flute or glass. It’s finished with a garnish of pomegranate seeds, an orange wheel, a lime wedge and a sprig of rosemary, giving a fizzy drink that’s fruity, tart and bright.
This Classic Kir Royal Cocktail from What A Girl Eats mixes a tablespoon of fruity, blackcurrant‑flavoured liqueur Crème de Cassis into a chilled Champagne or sparkling wine flute. Then you top up with the Champagne and optionally garnish with a fresh raspberry and a twist of orange peel for a festive, elegant finish. The result is a light, crisp and slightly sweet drink, a classy, celebratory aperitif ideal for afternoon tea, parties or special occasions.
Sours & Shrubs
This Cranberry Maraschino Sour from Combine Good Flavors mixes floral gin, a splash of maraschino liqueur, cranberry juice, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a few dashes of orange bitters in a shaker with ice. After shaking until well chilled and combined, it’s strained into a chilled cocktail glass and garnished with a skewer of sugar-coated cranberries for a festive finish. The result is a tart, fruity and slightly sweet drink, crisp and refreshing, yet with a subtle floral-gin character perfect for the holidays.
This Cranberry Shrub from My Rad Kitchen makes a sweet‑tart shrub syrup by simmering fresh cranberries (or frozen), water, sugar and warming allspice berries until the cranberries pop, then straining and mixing the result with apple‑cider vinegar. Once chilled, the shrub can be used as a mixer, you might stir it with ginger ale or soda for a refreshing mocktail, or use it in a cocktail with bourbon, maple syrup and bitters for a deeper, boozy drink. The final flavour is bright, tangy and cranberry‑rich, a festive and versatile syrup base especially fitting for holiday drinks or seasonal gatherings.
Creamy / Dessert Cocktails
This Brandy Alexander from In The Kitch is a creamy cocktail that mixes brandy, crème de cacao (a chocolate liqueur) and heavy cream in a shaker with ice. You then shake it until very cold — around 12–15 seconds — strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass, sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon or grated nutmeg, and optionally garnish with a cinnamon stick. The result is a rich, smooth, dessert‑style drink with warm chocolate and spice notes, ideal as an indulgent after‑dinner cocktail.
This festive Holiday Peppermint White Russian from The Forked Spoon is a twist on the classic White Russian. It mixes vodka, coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa) and peppermint schnapps, shaken over ice. Then you pour into a glass (optionally rimmed with crushed candy‑canes and sugar), top with milk or half‑and‑half, and garnish with a candy cane for a cheerful holiday finish. The result is a creamy, mint‑kissed cocktail that feels indulgent, festive and ideal for winter parties.
This frozen Gingerbread Cocktail from An Edible Mosaic blends crushed gingerbread (or gingersnap) cookies, creamy vanilla ice cream, velvety eggnog, and spiced rum (in a blender), then pours into glasses rimmed with crushed gingerbread cookie crumbs. You finish it with whipped cream, a gingerbread‑cookie garnish and a cinnamon stick for a festive, dessert‑like holiday drink that feels like a boozy gingerbread milkshake.
Fruit-Based / Punch Cocktails
This Blue Christmas Cocktail from Combine Good Flavors mixes Blue Curaçao, plain vodka and cranberry juice with ice in a shaker. After shaking until chilled, you strain it into a glass, top with a splash of sparkling water and garnish with an orange slice. The result is a bright, festive, slightly sweet‑and‑tangy drink, vivid blue with a fizzy finish and a cheerful splash of colour, ideal for holiday celebrations.
This Holiday Spiced Apple Cocktail from Foodess mixes chilled apple cider with bourbon, maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon, shaken with ice until frosty. Then you strain it into a glass and garnish with a thin apple slice (often cut across the core so it has a star‑shaped centre) and a dusting of cinnamon. The result is a warming, subtly sweet and gently spiced drink, perfect for festive autumn or holiday evenings.
This festive Christmas Morning Punch from In The Kitch combines canned peaches (including their syrup), orange juice, chilled ginger ale and sparkling wine (Prosecco, Cava or Champagne). Frozen peach slices are used as “ice‑cubes” so the drink stays cold without diluting, then the mixture is gently stirred and garnished with orange slices and fresh mint. The result is a light, bubbly and fruity celebratory punch, ideal for a Christmas morning breakfast or brunch for adults.
Fun / Novelty Drinks
This Grinch Jello Shot recipe from My Unentitled Life makes layered jell‑o shots by dissolving red (cherry) and green (lime) jelly separately, mixing one with peppermint schnapps and one with spiced rum, then pouring in layers into shot glasses and chilling until firm. After setting, you top each shot with whipped cream, splitting the cream into green‑tinted and plain halves so you get a festive swirl, and finish with holiday sprinkles for decoration. The result is a playful, festive, sweet‑and‑boozy party shot that’s perfect for Christmas gatherings and guaranteed to brighten up a table.
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