21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (2024)

Enjoying winter co*cktails is a sure way to get into the spirit of the season. They warm us from our heads to our toes and include a bunch of different festive elements that definitely put us in a jolly mood. With a variety of ingredients and garnishes, these 18 holiday alcoholic drink recipes are certain to make your nights merry and bright, no matter which kinds of co*cktailsyou enjoy! We've got quite the assortment of concoctions perfect for holiday parties and quiet nights surrounded by your Christmas decorations. Cheers!

Brit + Co Holiday co*cktail Recipes

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (1)

Chai Hot Toddy

With some spiced rum and cinnamon-infused milk, chai tea becomes one of the holiday co*cktails — and one that you'll never want to put down! Add a shot of espresso for an extra kick or keep it as-is. (via Brit + Co)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (2)

"Naughty and Nice" Holiday co*cktail Recipe

With a few ingredients — including grenadine, citrus fruits, and whiskey — you can take your classic Coca-Cola to a whole new level. These fun holiday drinks are so flavorful that you can leave out the alcohol for the kids without sacrificing any of the flavor! (via Brit + Co)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (3)

Coffee Holiday co*cktail

This funny holiday co*cktail recipe combines beer and coffee for a drink like you've never had before! You'll be able to unwind and get a little caffeine kick at the same time. (via Brit + Co)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (4)

Candy Cane Martini

Combine the best parts of the holiday — peppermint and vanilla vodka — to make this pleasing candy cane martini. Glasses up! (via Brit + Co)

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Peppermint White Russian

This fan-favorite drink just got an upgrade thanks to the festive peppermint along the rim. You'll enjoy the juxtaposition between the crunchy mint and the smooth taste of vodka, heavy cream, and coffee liqueur. (via Brit + Co)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (6)

Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus co*cktail

We know a good mid-morning drink when we see one and this citrus co*cktail looks mighty tasty! If you plan to sleep in, serve it with your Christmas brunch meal as a fab precursor to opening gifts. (via Brit + Co)

Cranberry Holiday co*cktail Recipes

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Cranberry Orange Bourbon co*cktail

All the flavors shaken together here are certainly tempting, but we're especially taken by the brandied cranberrygarnish. Talk about a seasonally appropriate alternative to cherry recipes. (via The Little Epicurean)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (8)

Cranberry-Ginger co*cktail

The usual vodkacran gets a holiday makeover, thanks to a double dose of ginger-flavored additions and a few dashes of bittersfor balance. (via Jelly Toast Blog)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (9)

Cranberry Bourbon Negroni

Turn the typical negronion its head with this festive holiday co*cktail. Bourbon replaces gin, and a splash of cranberry soda gets thrown in. The latter creates a seasonal spin that tempers the trademark bitterness of ruby red Campari juuuust enough. (via Climbing Grier Mountain)

Warm & Spicy Holiday co*cktail Recipes

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (10)

Glögg Holiday Drink (Swedish Mulled Wine)

If Scandinavian Long Island iced tea meets mulled wine sounds good to you, well, you need a little Glögg in your life. Save the top shelf stuff for another time, because all the spices that go into this easy holiday co*cktail mask any unsavory elements. (via Hapa Nom)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (11)

Hot Buttered Rum

This classic couldn't be easier. The butter, sugar and spice mix keeps well for ages (and can even be spread on your morning toast). Just stir it together with a shot of hot rum when you're ready for a little indulgence and voilà. A must-have warm holiday co*cktail. (via I'm Bored, Let's Go)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (12)

Slow Cooker Spiced Wine

Have you heard? There's a hot new trend in holiday co*cktails this year: slow cooker sips. This spiced wine sure knows how to take the chill out of your bones. (via The Law Student's Wife)

Brandy & Whiskey Holiday co*cktail Recipes

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (13)

Cinnamon Apple Whiskey Sour

No cloying, neon sour mix here. This sip's sweetness comes naturally via apple cider, simple syrup and a cinnamon-sugar rim. The wreath-like apple slice floating on top and sprig of rosemary is just an added bonus in this holiday drink with alcohol. (via She Eats)

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Brandy Old Fashioned

Mix up a batch of brandy old fashioneds as a sweeter, holiday mixed drink alternative to the usual whiskey-based recipe. (And if you love those glasses, we have another gilded suggestion that you're sure to adore.) (via House of Hipsters)

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Brandy Alexander Holiday Drink Recipe

If you’re looking for an adult hot chocolate equivalent in classic co*cktail form, this sweet, creamy concoction is just what the doctor bartender ordered. (via The Drink Blog)

More Delicious Holiday co*cktail Recipes

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (16)

Frosted Gingerbread Martini

Don't those gingerbread boys look like they're up to no good? Featuring four parts of well-balanced booziness to one part cream, shake up one of these classic holiday drinks and you just may join them. (via Freutcake)

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Charred Lemon Rosemary Sparkler

Together, rosemaryand gin are quire the recipe for a festive holiday drink. You'll love how caramelizing the lemons lends each sip a richer, sweeter flavor. It's the perfect punch to satisfy a thirsty crowd. (via Serious Eats)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (18)

Gelt Chaser

Break out the Manischewitz — you're about to mix up a delicious holiday alternative to the rusty nail. You don't even need to celebrate Hanukkah to enjoy this holiday drink idea. (via Thrillist)

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Evergreen Swizzle

It may take you some time to gather up all the specialty spirits required, but it really doesn't get much more Christmassy than this easy holiday drink. It features gin, pine liqueur and a handful of other well-thought-out additions and we highly recommend sipping on this while you trim the tree. (via Tempered Spirits)

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Oy Vey Iz Kir

Use Manischewitz instead of creme de cassis for a playful twist on the usual kir royale. Champagne's involved in this simple holiday co*cktail — what's not to love about that? (via Bon Appétit)

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (21)

Raspberry Mojito

Dressed up in red and green, this summery sip calls to mind warmer days in a holiday-worthy way. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Which of these holiday drink recipes are you going to try? (All of them!)

Follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our email newsletter for more holiday co*cktail ideas!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Jasmine Williams.

Lead image via Freutcake

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Heather Sage

Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.

21 Holiday co*cktail Recipes to Make Spirits Merry and Bright (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular alcoholic drink at Christmas? ›

What are the top five holiday co*cktails in America?
  • Christmas punch. That's right; a classic Christmas punch is the most popular holiday drink in America. ...
  • Eggnog. How could this boozy classic not be a top holiday co*cktail? ...
  • Cranberry mimosa. ...
  • Hot buttered rum. ...
  • Irish coffee. ...
  • Coquito. ...
  • Whiskey sour. ...
  • Christmas margarita.
Dec 7, 2023

What is a classic Christmas co*cktail? ›

Scroll through this list for timeless holiday classics like Eggnog and Hot Buttered Rum; boozy versions of hot chocolate; and new riffs on classics like our Cranberry Ginger Mimosa and a Negroni that tastes like a Christmas tree.

What makes co*cktails glow? ›

Did you know that there are things you can add to your drinks to make them glow? Tonic water has a special ingredient in it called quinine that absorbs UV light and emits it as a photon of visible light in a soft blue color. Vitamin B2 glows bright yellow when UV light hits the riboflavin molecules.

How do you brighten a co*cktail? ›

5 Simple Tips to Lighten Up Your Favorite co*cktails
  1. Tip #1: Use Sparkling Water.
  2. Tip #2: Make Your Own Mixers.
  3. Tip #3- Maximize Fresh Fruits.
  4. Tip #4: Take It Easy on Simple Syrup.
  5. Tip #5: Add a Pinch of Salt.
Feb 28, 2020

What is the best Christmas party liquor? ›

What to Drink at Your Office Christmas Party
  • Champagne. Nothing says celebration like a glass of bubbly. ...
  • Wine. Whether it's red, white, rose or sparkling, there is a glass of wine for every type of celebration. ...
  • Beer. ...
  • Drinks Mixed with Tonic or Soda Water. ...
  • Sweet co*cktails. ...
  • Sour co*cktails. ...
  • Bitter co*cktails. ...
  • Whiskey.

What is the most popular alcohol during the holidays? ›

Wine and champagne are also the most popular type of liquor to give during the holidays. 31% of respondents say they gift bottles to other people, followed by bottles of hard alcohol (19%) and alcohol gift sets (17%). 14% of respondents also said they don't give alcohol as a gift during the holidays.

Which is a popular festive drink? ›

Other popular holiday co*cktails include mulled wine, Christmas punch, a hot toddy, coquito, and wassail (a drink made from hot mulled cider, ale, or wine and spices), among others.

What is the name of the popular Christmas drink? ›

Eggnog. Rich, creamy, and, well, egg-y, we'd go as far as to say no Christmas celebration is complete without a glass of this festive drink. If this winter co*cktail is also a must at your holiday gatherings, follow our top tips to make yours perfect every time.

What are some common Christmas drinks? ›

We all know the aged eggnog, milk punch, brandy Alexander's, mulled cider and mulled wine.

What is a light alcoholic co*cktail? ›

Low-alcohol drinks mix up to 10 percent alcohol by volume (ABV, 20 proof), give or take. That's about the same as a glass of wine and half the strength of boozy powerhouses like martinis and margaritas. Some are even lighter, about the strength of a beer.

How do you make a fluorescent co*cktail? ›

You can make any drink appear to glow by using glowing products:
  1. Use glow sticks as co*cktail stirrers. Simply snap the glow stick before serving the drink. ...
  2. Add a glowing ice cube. If you have a black light, try ice cubes made using tonic water. ...
  3. Use a glowing glass. ...
  4. Add phosphorescent objects to the drink.
Aug 3, 2019

What is the secret to a good co*cktail? ›

A few good basics to have around include citrus and fruit juices, citrus-flavored sodas, tonic water, club soda, ginger beer, cider and soft drinks. The type of mixer used will depend on the type of co*cktail being made, and co*cktail connoisseurs will have preferences on their favorite mixers to use with certain drinks.

How do you make spirits taste better? ›

Spirits are often high proof and adding water can also help to lower the alcohol content and make it more palatable. Reassessment is also key when tasting spirits. After sipping, take a moment to think about what you just tasted and how it made you feel.

What liquor shimmers? ›

Viniq™ is a unique vodka-Moscato fusion with a sweet flavor and one-of-a-kind pearlescent shimmer that activates when shaken. Ready to drink on its own, or perfect for mixing into a creative co*cktail, Viniq™ is a 40 proof alcohol beverage that is fast becoming the latest liqueur craze.

What is an Old Fashioned alcoholic drink? ›

The old fashioned is a co*cktail made by muddling sugar with bitters and water, adding whiskey (typically rye or bourbon) or sometimes brandy, and garnishing with an orange slice or zest and a co*cktail cherry. It is traditionally served with ice in an old fashioned glass (also known as a rocks glass).

What alcohol is drunk at Christmas? ›

Classic Bucks Fizz/Mimosa

The classic morning drink for Christmas is orange juice with a little fizz in it. There are plenty of options for adding fizz to orange juice, from Cava, prosecco or Crémant to decadent Champagnes and even a little spirit should one need the extra pick me up.

What is the hot drink at Christmas market? ›

Glühwein is THE Christmas market drink. At this point, it is basically synonymous with the holiday itself. In case you don't know, Glühwein is a hot mulled wine served in ceramic mugs.

What are Santa's favorite drinks? ›

Everyone knows that Santa's favorite way to wash down his plate of cookies is with a big glass of eggnog. This tradition has been around for decades, but have you ever asked yourself why? When did drinking this egg and milk concoction become a holiday tradition?

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