The holidays are the perfect time to gather with loved ones and share good food, laughter and of course, delicious drinks. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or a lively holiday party, having a variety of Christmas cocktails is a surefire way to impress everyone. These recipes are simple, festive, and guaranteed to bring holiday cheer.

1. White Wine Spritzer with Cranberries

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chilled white wine
• ½ cup soda water
• Handful of fresh cranberries
• Sprig of rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

Mix wine and soda water in a glass. Add cranberries and a rosemary sprig for a festive touch.

Mocktail Version: Replace wine with white grape juice for a bubbly, non-alcoholic treat.

2. Kiwi Orange Sparkle

Ingredients:

• 1 orange, juiced
• 1 kiwi, sliced
• ½ cup sparkling water
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions:

Mix orange juice and honey until combined. Add kiwi slices and sparkling water for a bright, refreshing drink.

Tip: Freeze kiwi slices for a decorative ice cube alternative.

3. Peppermint Martini

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1 oz peppermint schnapps
• 1 oz cream or half-and-half
• Crushed candy canes

Instructions:

Shake vodka, schnapps, and cream with ice. Strain into a martini glass and rim with crushed candy canes.

Mocktail Version: Use peppermint syrup and milk for a creamy, kid-friendly drink.

4. Pomegranate Mojito

Ingredients:

• ½ cup pomegranate juice
• 1 oz rum
• Fresh mint leaves
• Soda water

Instructions:

Muddle mint leaves in a glass. Add pomegranate juice, rum, and soda water. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Mocktail Version: Omit the rum and add extra pomegranate juice for a refreshing option.

5. Eggnog Punch

Ingredients:

• 2 cups eggnog
• 1 cup vanilla ice cream
• 1 oz bourbon (optional)
• Nutmeg for garnish

Instructions:

Blend eggnog and ice cream until smooth. Serve in a punch bowl, topped with nutmeg and optional bourbon.

Tip: Keep extra ice cream on hand for refills!

6. Sparkling Cranberry Limeade

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberry juice
• ½ cup sparkling water
• Juice of 1 lime
• Lime slices for garnish

Combine cranberry juice, lime juice, and sparkling water in a glass. Garnish with lime slices for extra flair.

Pro Tip: Add frozen cranberries for a festive chill.

7. Gingerbread Old-Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 tsp molasses
• Dash of bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

Mix bourbon, molasses, and bitters in a glass with ice. Garnish with orange peel for a classic look.

Mocktail Version: Substitute bourbon with ginger ale and a touch of molasses for the same cozy flavor.

8. Cherry Holiday Cooler

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cherry juice
• 1 oz vodka
• Splash of soda water
• Cherries for garnish

Instructions:

Mix cherry juice, vodka, and soda water in a glass with ice. Garnish with fresh cherries.

Mocktail Version: Use sparkling cherry soda instead of vodka for a fun twist.

9. Hot Mulled Cider

Ingredients:

• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cloves
• 1 orange slice

Instructions:

Simmer cider with cinnamon, cloves, and orange on low heat for 15 minutes. Serve warm with a cinnamon stick.

Pro Tip: Make it in a slow cooker for effortless entertaining.

10. Chocolate Candy Cane Delight

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

Prepare hot chocolate and stir in schnapps. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Mocktail Version: Omit schnapps and add peppermint extract for a family-friendly version.

11. Spiced Winter Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 orange, sliced
• ½ cup apple slices
• 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher and let chill for at least 2 hours. Serve over ice.

Mocktail Version: Replace wine with cranberry juice for a festive alternative.

12. Frosty Lemon Spritz

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lemonade
• ½ cup soda water
• Frozen blueberries for garnish

Instructions:

Mix lemonade and soda water in a glass. Add frozen blueberries to keep it chilled and festive.

Why These Christmas Drinks Shine

Holiday drinks go beyond quenching thirst; they add joy, color, and festivity to any gathering. With these Christmas cocktails, you’ll impress your guests while offering variety. Many of these recipes are easy to adapt into mocktails

If you’re looking for more Christmas themed food, check out my post on making Christmas tree ice cream cones here. 🎄🍹