The holiday season is the perfect time to raise a glass, and nothing sets the mood quite like a festive Christmas cocktail. From cozy mugs of mulled wine to sparkling champagne spritzers, holiday drinks add warmth, cheer, and a little sparkle to every gathering.
Whether you’re planning a casual family get-together, a glamorous holiday party, or simply a quiet evening by the fire, a well-crafted cocktail can make the occasion feel extra special.
In this guide, you’ll find a mix of Christmas cocktails to suit every taste, from timeless classics like eggnog and hot buttered rum, to modern twists like peppermint martinis and pomegranate mojitos.
We’ll also cover big-batch recipes perfect for parties, elegant sips for formal dinners, and alcohol-free mocktails that ensure everyone can join in the holiday cheer. With the right garnish and a touch of creativity, these drinks will make your Christmas celebrations unforgettable.
Classic Christmas Cocktails That Never Fail
1: Eggnog with Bourbon
Rich, creamy eggnog meets smooth bourbon in this cocktail that embodies cozy holiday indulgence. The eggnog (extra creamy in the recipe) is shaken or stirred with bourbon and served over ice, often garnished with freshly grated nutmeg, a cinnamon stick, and a cinnamon-sugar rim. It’s a perfect Christmas drink because it hits nostalgia, evokes frosty air by the fire, and feels like dessert in a glass.
It’s also easy enough to make when guests arrive, and elegant enough for parties. The sweet and spiced garnish gives festive flair and warmth in every sip.
2: Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
Glühwein is a warm, spiced red wine drink beloved throughout Germany during the Christmas season. Typically made by gently heating red wine with spices like cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, citrus (orange peel or slices), and perhaps a touch of sugar or honey.
It’s perfect for holiday gatherings because it fills the home with festive aromas and gives guests something cozy to sip in cold weather.
You can make it ahead of time and gently warm it on the stovetop or in a slow cooker just before guests arrive. Serve in mugs with citrus slices or whole spices as garnishes. Its comforting warmth, spice, and communal feel make it a classic Christmas drink.
3: Hot Buttered Rum
This drink is pure winter comfort: dark rum blended with a rich spiced butter mixture (butter, brown sugar, vanilla, warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice), topped with hot water, and often served with a cinnamon stick. It’s ideal for Christmas because it warms you up from the inside out, tastes indulgent without being overly complicated, and has that old-world cozy feel. The recipe also has make-ahead potential: you can prepare the batter ahead in a log or jar so when guests arrive, you just mix and serve.
Perfect for nights by the fire or chilly gatherings.
4: Cranberry Moscow Mule
This twist on the classic Moscow Mule brings in tart cranberry juice, ginger beer’s fizz, lime, and either vodka or rum, plus seasonal garnishes like fresh or frozen cranberries and rosemary or mint.
It’s great for Christmas because cranberries are a holiday staple, the color is festive, and the flavor balances sweet, tart, and spicy beautifully. The drink also feels light and refreshing compared to heavier cocktails, so it works well alongside food.
Since it comes together in under five minutes, it’s excellent for entertaining, your guests love it, and it looks gorgeous in copper mugs.
Festive Twists on Popular Cocktails
5: Peppermint Martini with Candy Cane Rim
This Peppermint Martini blends vanilla vodka, white crème de menthe, and peppermint schnapps for a festive, minty-sweet cocktail that screams Christmas. The crushed peppermint rim and optional mint sprig garnish give it that frosty, candy-cane charm.
It’s great for the holidays because it’s simple (just three spirits), visually festive, and perfect for cocktail hour feels indulgent without being heavy.
It takes about five minutes to mix, so it’s ideal when guests arrive. Serve in coupe glasses with crushed candy on the rim. Because it’s strong, this is one to sip slowly.
6: Pomegranate Mojito with Fresh Mint
Pomegranate Mojitos are a bright, refreshing holiday take on the classic mojito. Fresh mint mingles with lime, white rum, simple syrup, and vibrant pomegranate juice, topped with soda for fizz. Why it works for Christmas: the jewel-red color of pomegranate, the fresh aromatic mint, and the interplay of sweet, tart, and bubbly make it festive and lively.
It’s also fast to make (≈5 minutes), so great for entertaining. Serve in highball glasses over ice, garnish with pomegranate seeds and mint sprigs. A lighter, celebratory choice when you want variety.
7: Gingerbread White Russian
Gingerbread White Russian is the cozy dessert-drink hybrid to enjoy by a fire. It uses vodka, Kahlúa, heavy cream, plus homemade gingerbread syrup made with honey, molasses, fresh ginger, and warming spices like cinnamon. It evokes all the flavors of gingerbread cookies—spice, warmth, and sweetness, making it a perfect Christmas cocktail.
The syrup can be made ahead and stored, so when guests arrive, all you do is stir. Serve in lowball or old-fashioned glasses, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and maybe a small gingerbread cookie on the side. Rich, creamy, nostalgic.
8: Spiced Apple Margarita
This Spiced Apple Margarita adds seasonal flair to the classic margarita by incorporating apple cider (or spiced apple flavors), a cinnamon-sugar rim, and the usual tequila/lime backbone. It’s festive thanks to its warm apple tones, spice, and autumn/winter vibes. It works well for Christmas because it balances tangy and sweet, seasonal and fun, and it’s a welcome twist amid heavier holiday drinks.
Serve in salt or cinnamon-sugar-rimmed margarita glasses, with apple slices or cinnamon sticks as garnish. Great when you want something slightly lighter but still flavorful.
Big-Batch Christmas Cocktails for Parties
9: Christmas Punch with Cranberries & Citrus
This Christmas Punch is ideal for holiday parties because it’s super simple, highly scalable, and bursting with festive flavors. It combines vodka, pomegranate liqueur, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, lemon-lime soda, and ginger ale, garnished with fresh cranberries and orange slices.
The recipe is perfect for serving a crowd. Make a big batch ahead, keep it cold, and let guests help themselves. For a non-alcoholic version, leave out the vodka and maybe offer it on the side. Because of the fruit juices, soda, and garnish, it looks beautiful in a punch bowl. Serve in pretty glasses so everyone gets those holiday visual cues.
10: Sparkling Poinsettia Cocktail
The Poinsettia Cocktail is Champagne (or sparkling wine) with cranberry juice and a splash of Grand Marnier (or orange liqueur), garnished with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. It’s elegant, quick (2 minutes), and festive- those bubbles + the red color + the garnish are classic Christmas.
A great toast drink or classy option for dinner parties. Because it’s light and sparkling, it complements richer holiday foods nicely. Prep by chilling ingredients ahead of time; pop the champagne and assemble just before serving. Garnish well—it elevates the experience.
11: Sangria with Red Wine
This Red Sangria blends dry Spanish red wine with brandy (or optionally rum), plus fruit (apples, oranges), orange juice, and a touch of brown sugar. It’s good for Christmas because it makes a large batch, has bright fruit flavors and warm notes from the sweetener, and benefits from chilling so flavors meld.
Because you can make it earlier in the day (or even the day before), it’s perfectly suited to holiday entertaining where you want drinks ready to go. Serve it in a pitcher, with ice, and garnish with fruit slices. Also, it’s more visually festive when the fruit floats, adding color to the drink.
12: Warm Wassail
This hot wassail recipe is a warm, spiced cider-style drink that captures the cozy scents of Christmas—think apple cider, mulling spices, citrus, maybe even cloves and cinnamon sticks.
It’s perfect for cold nights, porch gatherings, outdoor events, or warming up indoors. Make it ahead in a slow cooker or pot, keep it warm, and let guests serve themselves.
Garnish with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and perhaps a star anise or two. Because it’s non-alcoholic (or can be served that way), it works for all ages. The warmth, spice, and shared nature make it holiday magic.
13. Spiced cider
This Spiced Raspberry Apple Cider blends fresh (or frozen) raspberries with apple cider and warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. It’s excellent for Christmas because of the seasonal fruit flavors, vivid color, and comforting warmth. The combination of cider and raspberry is festive and feels fresh, not heavy.
You can prepare it ahead (simmer the spices, warm the cider), then just serve hot when guests arrive. Garnishes like fresh raspberries or cinnamon sticks amplify the festive feel. Serve in mugs; great for parties where not everyone wants alcohol.
Elegant Cocktails for Special Gatherings
13: Cranberry French 75
This Cranberry French 75 adds a festive twist to a Champagne classic. It uses spiced cranberry simple syrup plus lemon juice, topped with Champagne or sparkling wine, and often gin underneath. It’s great for Christmas because the cranberry gives that holiday red tone, the spices evoke winter warmth, and the bubbles feel celebratory, perfect for toasts and festive gatherings.
The simple syrup can be made ahead (even weeks ahead) and stored refrigerated. Serve in flutes with a sprig of rosemary and a few cranberries for garnish. Elegant, bubbly, and ideal for parties or Christmas brunch.
14: Champagne & Cranberry Sparkler
This drink is fun, quick, and visually festive. Champagne or prosecco is mixed with unsweetened cranberry juice, garnished with a rosemary sprig, fresh cranberries, and a cinnamon-sugar rim. It works well for Christmas because it combines the red of cranberries, the sparkle of bubbly, and the warmth of cinnamon, a perfect trifecta.
It’s ideal when you want something low effort but high impact. Take under 5 minutes to assemble. Serve chilled in fancy glasses with the decorative rim for holiday flair.
15: Classic Negroni with Winter Citrus
This Christmas Negroni is a seasonal spin on the classic Negroni with bitter, herbal, and spiced layers: gin, sweet vermouth, Campari (or a similar bitter liqueur), plus additions like Becherovka (a herbal liqueur with spice notes) and sloe gin for berry tones.
It’s excellent for Christmas because of its bold flavor profile, deep color, and warming spices; good for sipping by the fire or serving as a pre-dinner cocktail. Use a large ice cube, garnish with an orange wheel. Serve slowly, letting the flavors linger. It’s more sophisticated, so great for small gatherings or when you want something with depth.
16: Amaretto Sour with Cinnamon Garnish
The Amaretto Sour blends almond-sweetness with citrus tartness—amaretto liqueur with lemon juice (often balanced with simple syrup), shaken and sometimes topped with a frothy white from egg white or aquafaba, depending on variation.
It’s good for Christmas because the almond/cherry or marzipan notes feel indulgent like holiday sweets, while the sour/citrus cut keeps it from being cloying. It’s a nice bridge between dessert-like cocktails and refreshing drinks. Serve in a rocks glass, over ice, optionally with a twist of lemon and/or a cherry garnish. Works well as an after-dinner sipper.
Christmas Mocktails (Alcohol-Free Options)
17: Sparkling Cranberry Apple Cider
This punch blends apple cider, sparkling water (or prosecco), and tart cranberry flavor for a sparkly, festive holiday drink. It’s perfect for Christmas because the cider adds warmth and comfort, while the bubbles elevate it for celebration. It works well for guests of all ages (leave out the alcohol for a mocktail version), and you can prep the cider and cranberry components ahead of time.
Just before serving, add the sparkling element so it stays fizzy. Garnish with apple slices, cranberries, and maybe a cinnamon stick. Served in a punch bowl or large pitcher, it looks beautiful and invites sharing.
18: Pomegranate Ginger Fizz
The Ginger Pomegranate Fizz is a festive spin on a Moscow Mule, vodka meets spicy ginger beer, bright pomegranate arils (and juice), a splash of lemon, honey, and aromatic rosemary. It’s excellent for Christmas because you get seasonal color (deep red), a fresh herbal note from the rosemary, and the sparkle from ginger beer, balanced between sweet, tart, and spicy.
It’s super easy to make; you could even batch it for a small group since there’s almost no prep. Serve in tall glasses with lots of ice, garnish with rosemary and pomegranate seeds, for both visual and flavor impact.
19: Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
This cocktail (or rich warm drink) layers in white chocolate, milk, peppermint, or candy cane flavor, often kept warm in a slow cooker. It’s dreamy for Christmas evenings, cozy, indulgent, festive, and especially appealing when it’s cold outside.
Because it uses a slow cooker, you can set it and forget it, keeping it warm for guests to serve themselves. Garnish with crushed peppermint, whipped cream, or even a candy cane to stir. Perfect for dessert-style sipping, or for kids and adults alike.
20: Virgin Mojito
This mocktail version of a mojito uses fresh mint, lime, perhaps some fruit or festive flavoring, and sparkling water (or club soda) instead of alcohol. It’s great for Christmas because it provides a lighter, refreshing option in a lineup that may otherwise be very rich or sweet. The flavors feel bright and clean, with the festive garnish (mint sprigs, citrus slices) making it look special. Easily made on the spot, or batch-ready ahead of time. Serve in pretty glasses, with ice, and garnish for visual appeal.
Garnishes & Presentation Tips
Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary Sprigs
Roll cranberries in sugar and pair them with rosemary sprigs for a frosted, wintry garnish. They add sparkle and instantly elevate cocktails.
Candy Cane Stir Sticks
Use mini candy canes as stirrers for martinis, hot chocolate, or cocoa cocktails. They add both flavor and whimsy, making drinks more interactive.
Festive Glassware and Rims
Dip glasses in honey or citrus juice, then roll in crushed candy canes, cinnamon sugar, or colored sanding sugar for a decorative rim. Serve in coupe glasses, flutes, or copper mugs for variety.
Decorative Ice Cubes
Freeze cranberries, citrus slices, or herbs into ice cubes for punches and spritzers. They look beautiful, keep drinks cold, and add subtle flavor as they melt.
Make-Ahead & Hosting Tips
Prep Syrups and Mixers in Advance
Flavored simple syrups (peppermint, gingerbread, cranberry) can be made days ahead. Store in jars and use to quickly mix cocktails without fuss during the party.
Choose Cocktails that Batch Well
Punch, sangria, mulled wine, and wassail can be made in pitchers or slow cookers. This saves the host from shaking individual drinks and allows guests to serve themselves.
Set Up a Self-Serve Cocktail Bar
Arrange spirits, mixers, garnishes, and recipe cards on a table so guests can create their own drinks. Include a mocktail station for non-drinkers or kids.
Balance Strong and Light Options
Offer both bold cocktails (like negronis or eggnog) and lighter ones (like sparkling spritzers) so there’s something for every taste and tolerance.
Keep Warm Drinks Warm
Use a slow cooker or insulated carafes to keep mulled wine or cider at the perfect temperature throughout the evening.