‘Tis the season to be jolly, and nothing gets you in the Christmas mood like a fizzy, festive cocktail. There’s a little something sweet for the sugar addicts, a hint of spice for flavor fans, and just the right amount of sour for people who like a little kick with their liquor. Connoisseurs of the classics won’t be disappointed either with mai tais, eggnog, and mulled wine on offer. If you want to try something new this year, there are lots to enjoy. My personal favorite is the jingle juice holiday punch, but I’m also dying to try the amusingly named drunken snowman. Channel your inner bartender this year and get the holiday spirits flowing!
1. Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail
Your Christmas will be both holly and jolly with this tangy mix of vodka and citrus flavors. Zesty and sharp, it’s made from vodka, elderflower liqueur, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Add a splash of ginger beer to top it up and garnish with pomegranate seeds and a sprig of fresh mint. This is a sophisticated drink destined to be the highlight of your next Christmas Eve soiree.
2. Holiday Mai Tai
Fruity and refreshing, mai tais are generally enjoyed on a tropical beach while bathing in sunshine. This recipe adds a little summer fun to your Christmas party with a holiday-themed version. With just four ingredients, it’s really easy to toss together. Simply mix dark rum, amaretto, pineapple juice, and orange juice. Serve over crushed ice and garnish with fresh cranberries. A few of these will keep you warm on frosty December nights.
3. Mulled Wine
Classic mulled wine is one of the best things about the holiday season. It’s a very traditional beverage. In the Middle Ages, mulled wine was more popular than water and enjoyed by thrifty households as a way to extend the lifespan of stale wine. This recipe doesn’t mess with success. It’s a beginner-friendly wine, so it’s ideal if you’ve never made it before or need a refresher on the basics. Heat red wine with festive spices like nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. Add some honey to sweeten and quaff like a thirsty English peasant.
4. Eggnog Cocktail
Another yuletide must-have, eggnog is a rich and creamy beverage typically served at Christmas or New Year. You can use a variety of different liquors for the base but this recipe goes with vodka and amaretto for a deep, nutty flavor. Shake it up, pour it out, and garnish it with caramel sauce. This boozy milkshake is a dreamy delight.
5. The Grinch Cocktail
Holidays got you down? Soothe your inner Grinch with a glass of this fruity cocktail. Refreshing and light, it’s a sweet blend of melon, citrus, and cherry flavors. Made with melon liqueur, clear rum, and fizzy lemon-lime soda, this one nails the balance between sweet and sickly. There’s just one problem. It’s so delicious, you can easily lose track of whether you’re on drink number one or number six.
6. Candy Cane Cocktail
Thanks to this amazing recipe, you can enjoy all the delicious taste of candy canes in a winter-themed alcoholic beverage. Candy canes are soaked in vodka, infusing it with delicious minty, syrupy flavor. It does require a bit of organization as the process takes up to 3 days, but it’s so worth it. Your candy cane vodka can then be used as the base for a range of delicious drinks. Or, if you have more self-restraint than me, you can put a bottle under the tree for cocktail-loving family members.
7. Mistletoe Martini Cranberry Christmas Cocktail
Martinis are elegant, sophisticated, and surprisingly easy to make, so class up your Christmas with this holiday version. A fruity blend of elderflower and cranberry, this is a vibrant, uplifting drink that’ll keep the party going late into the night.
8. Holiday Sangria
If you like your booze full of beautiful, bright flavors then you need to grab a sip of this scrumptious sangria. It’s basically mulled wine, without the mulling, that’s served chilled. Red wine teams up with brandy, cinnamon, sweet syrup, and fruit for a refreshing beverage that’s full of depth and flavor.
9. Cranberry Kringle Cocktail
If Santa’s keeping score, he’ll definitely put this sweet and sour cocktail on the nice list. Tart and fruity, it’s a mix of cranberry juice, peach schnapps, and vodka. It’s simple to make, but delicious to sip. As an added bonus, this cocktail is bright red, so it’ll totally match your Christmas decor.
10. Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
Also known as a ‘blizzard,’ this bourbon cocktail is whiskey heaven. Bright and tart, it’s made with cranberry juice and lemon so brace your taste buds for a zesty, mouth-watering treat.
11. Christmas Punch
This fruity, fizzy punch will add sparkle to any festive fete. It’s a juicy blend of sparkling wine, dark rum, orange, cranberries, and ginger ale. Load it up with plenty of ice, fresh cranberries, and orange slices for a colorful bowl that’ll keep everyone coming back for more.
12. Mrs. Claus Cocktail
Poor Mrs. Claus. Her husband gets all the press, while she languishes in the background, mending his socks and sweeping the elf factory floor. This cocktail isn’t just a delicious blend of peppermint schnapps and eggnog, it’s also a tribute to the woman behind the man. Raise a glass to the festive feminist hero of our times. And keep that glass coming because this cocktail is crazy good.
13. Hot Toddy
During my childhood, my mother used to feed me hot toddies when I had a bad bout of flu. So perhaps we should start with a disclaimer – this drink is not for children. But it will cure what ails you. A warming mix of whiskey, honey, and lemon, this drink is a classic for a reason. It’ll warm you up from your head to your toes, and is just the thing for frosty nights.
14. Winter Snowflake Cocktail
This is a dreamy, creamy cocktail made with Bailey’s Irish Cream and scented with cinnamon. If you’re planning to serve this at your Christmas party, you can probably skip dessert. This is a milkshake/sundae/pudding kind of cocktail that’s decadently delicious and very filling.
15. Cranberry Mimosa
Mimosas are the ultimate fuss-free cocktail and this holiday version continues the trend with a really easy, but really tasty, recipe. Tart cranberries and fizzy champagne, that’s all you’ll need to put some sparkle in your season!
16. Drunken Snowman Cocktail
Delicious enough to warm the heart of Frosty the Snowman, this fun cocktail is a decadent mix of ice cream, chocolate, and whipped cream. Oh, and there’s a generous helping of Bailey’s Irish Cream in there too, because Christmas isn’t Christmas without a divinely creamy, boozy beverage.
17. Jack Frost Cocktail
Much like Jack Frost, this cocktail is ultra-cool. For a start, it’s icy blue thanks to a generous serving of blue curacao. Add coconut and syrup, and you’ll have a sweet crowd-pleaser. Just don’t forget the ice!
18. Hot Buttered Rum
This hot buttered rum sounds like something you’d serve at a Harry Potter-esque feast (although it’s definitely not for kids, magical or otherwise). This is lip-smacking, belly-warming good. Serve it hot as your guests come in from the cold, and you’ll cement your reputation as the greatest Christmas host of all time.
19. Jingle Juice Holiday Punch
This flavorful punch is just as fun as its name. Bright and breezy, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays. With only three ingredients – cherry soda, vodka, champagne – you can pull it together in minutes and spend the rest of your evening entertaining like a pro.
20. Pomegranate Gin Cocktail
This juicy cocktail is Christmas in a glass. Made with gin, orange, pomegranate, honey, and fresh thyme, it’s a smooth and delicious drink that goes down easy. (Arguably too easy.) Click on a star to rate it!
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