21 Christmas Cocktails to Celebrate the Season

The holidays deserve drinks that are just as festive as your decorations. Christmas cocktails bring warmth, cheer, and celebration to any gathering, whether you’re hosting a big party or enjoying a quiet evening by the fire.

From classic winter warmers to sparkling celebrations, these cocktails capture the magic of the season in every sip. They’re perfect for toasting with loved ones, impressing party guests, or simply treating yourself after wrapping all those presents. Here are 21 festive cocktails that’ll make your celebrations even more special.

Cranberry Moscow Mule

This festive twist on the classic Moscow mule combines tart cranberry juice with spicy ginger beer and vodka, served in the traditional copper mug. The cranberry adds a beautiful ruby color and seasonal tartness that balances the ginger’s heat perfectly. It’s incredibly refreshing and not too sweet, making it great for sipping throughout holiday parties.

The recipe is super simple – just mix and pour – so you can make them quickly for guests. Garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary for a stunning presentation that looks much fancier than the effort required.

Peppermint White Russian

The cozy White Russian gets a holiday makeover with the addition of peppermint schnapps or crushed candy canes. This creamy cocktail tastes like a peppermint mocha with a kick – smooth, indulgent, and perfectly minty. The cream gives it a dessert-like quality that’s perfect after dinner or as a sweet treat on cold nights.

It’s ridiculously easy to make with just a few ingredients and takes less than two minutes to prepare. The peppermint flavor isn’t overwhelming; it just adds a festive twist to the classic coffee liqueur and vodka combination.

Eggnog Martini

Classic eggnog transforms into an elegant martini with vodka or rum and a sprinkle of nutmeg on top. This cocktail is rich, creamy, and captures all the holiday flavors of traditional eggnog in a more sophisticated presentation. It’s stronger than regular eggnog since it’s not diluted with as much dairy, making it perfect for adults who want eggnog flavor without the heaviness.

The preparation is straightforward – just shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. It’s an impressive way to serve eggnog at cocktail parties.

Spiced Apple Cider Margarita

Warm apple cider meets tangy tequila in this unexpected but delicious fusion of fall and fiesta. The cider’s sweetness and spice blend surprisingly well with tequila’s bite, creating a cocktail that’s both comforting and exciting. Cinnamon sugar on the rim adds extra festive flair and sweetness.

This one’s easy to make and can be served warm or cold depending on your preference. The combination might sound unusual, but it works beautifully – the apple cider mellows the tequila while the lime juice keeps everything balanced and bright.

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

Elegant and simple, this cocktail combines sparkling champagne with jewel-toned pomegranate juice and seeds. The pomegranate adds beautiful color and a hint of tartness that complements champagne’s bubbles perfectly. It’s light, refreshing, and feels incredibly celebratory – ideal for toasting at Christmas dinner or New Year’s Eve.

This is one of the easiest cocktails to make since it’s basically just champagne and pomegranate juice with garnish. The floating pomegranate seeds look stunning and add little bursts of flavor with each sip.

Gingerbread Old Fashioned

This creative twist on the classic Old Fashioned incorporates gingerbread syrup for a seasonal spin on the timeless cocktail. The warm spices of gingerbread – cinnamon, ginger, and molasses – pair beautifully with bourbon’s caramel notes. It’s sophisticated and complex, perfect for whiskey lovers who want something festive without being too sweet.

Making the gingerbread syrup takes some advance prep, but it’s worth it for the incredible flavor. The cocktail itself maintains that classic Old Fashioned balance while adding cozy holiday warmth that makes it perfect for cold winter evenings.

White Christmas Mojito

Traditional mojito gets a winter makeover with white rum, coconut, and plenty of fresh mint and lime. The coconut adds creamy sweetness that makes this taste almost dessert-like, while mint keeps it refreshing. It’s lighter and more tropical than typical Christmas drinks, perfect for people who want something festive but not heavy.

The white color looks beautiful and appropriate for a “white Christmas” theme. These are relatively easy to make, though muddling the mint takes a minute – but it’s totally worth it for that fresh, vibrant flavor.

Cranberry Orange Sangria

This festive sangria combines red wine with cranberry juice, orange slices, and seasonal spices for a crowd-pleasing punch. The cranberry and orange flavors are classic Christmas tastes that complement red wine beautifully. It’s perfect for parties since you can make a big batch ahead of time and let the flavors meld together.

The recipe is very forgiving and adaptable – add more fruit, adjust the sweetness, or spike it with brandy for extra warmth. It looks gorgeous in a pitcher with all the floating fruit and appeals to almost everyone.

Candy Cane Martini

This festive martini combines vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, and peppermint schnapps for a drinkable candy cane experience. It’s sweet, creamy, and intensely minty – basically dessert in a glass. The crushed candy cane rim adds crunch and makes it look incredibly festive and fun.

This is definitely for people with a sweet tooth; it’s more like a milkshake than a traditional martini. The recipe is simple but requires quality ingredients to taste good. Perfect for sipping slowly while decorating the tree or watching holiday movies.

Spiked Hot Chocolate

Rich hot chocolate gets upgraded with your choice of liquor – peppermint schnapps, Bailey’s, bourbon, or rum all work beautifully. This is the ultimate cozy cocktail, perfect for warming up after being outside or enjoying by the fireplace. The chocolate can be as simple or fancy as you like, from instant mix to gourmet cocoa.

It’s incredibly easy to customize to your taste preferences and alcohol tolerance. Top with whipped cream and marshmallows for extra indulgence. This is comfort in a mug and takes just minutes to prepare.

Winter Wonderland Punch

This sparkling punch combines vodka, elderflower liqueur, and lemon with champagne for a light, effervescent party drink. The elderflower adds a delicate floral sweetness that feels elegant and sophisticated. It’s refreshing without being heavy, making it perfect for serving throughout holiday parties.

The recipe scales up easily for crowds, and the sparkling element makes it feel extra celebratory. The light blue-white color looks wintery and beautiful in a punch bowl. It’s dangerously easy to drink, so guests should pace themselves with this delicious creation.

Rosemary Gin Fizz

Fresh rosemary and gin create a sophisticated, herbaceous cocktail with a beautiful botanical flavor profile. The rosemary isn’t overwhelming – it adds a subtle pine-like freshness that feels very seasonal and elegant. Lemon juice and simple syrup balance the flavors, while soda water adds fizz and lightness.

This cocktail is surprisingly simple to make but looks and tastes restaurant-quality. The rosemary sprig garnish is both beautiful and aromatic. It’s perfect for people who prefer cocktails that aren’t too sweet and appreciate complex, grown-up flavors.

Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

This warming variation on the classic whiskey sour adds maple syrup and cinnamon for cozy holiday flavors. The maple sweetness complements whiskey beautifully, while cinnamon adds warmth and spice. It maintains that classic sour balance of sweet and tart but with seasonal flair.

The cocktail is easy to make if you’re comfortable with basic cocktail techniques – just shake and strain. The cinnamon stick garnish looks festive and adds aroma. This is perfect for whiskey lovers who want something seasonal but still sophisticated and not overly sweet.

Snowball Cocktail

This classic British Christmas cocktail combines advocaat (egg liqueur), lime juice, and lemonade for a creamy, fizzy treat. It’s sweet, tangy, and has a unique custard-like flavor from the advocaat that’s hard to describe but absolutely delicious. The texture is creamy but still refreshing thanks to the fizz.

This is incredibly easy to make – just mix and pour – no shaking or special techniques required. The yellow-white color looks appropriately wintery, and the taste is nostalgic for anyone who grew up with this British classic during the holidays.

Christmas Mimosa

The brunch favorite gets a holiday twist with cranberry juice added to the traditional orange juice and champagne combination. The cranberry adds gorgeous color and festive tartness that makes regular mimosas feel special and seasonal. It’s light, bubbly, and perfect for Christmas morning breakfast or holiday brunches.

This couldn’t be easier to make – just pour and stir. The red and orange colors look beautiful together and feel very Christmassy. You can adjust the ratio of cranberry to orange based on how tart you like your drinks.

Mulled Wine

This traditional European Christmas drink simmers red wine with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. The result is aromatic, warming, and deeply comforting – perfect for cold winter nights. The spices infuse the wine with incredible flavor and make your whole house smell amazing while it’s heating.

It’s easy to make in large batches for parties, and it can simmer on the stove to stay warm for hours. The alcohol content reduces slightly during heating, making it smooth and easy to drink. This is Christmas in a cup.

Sugar Plum Fairy Cocktail

This magical cocktail combines plum vodka or brandy with cranberry and a touch of sugar for a festive, fruity drink. The plum flavor is sweet and slightly tart, paired beautifully with cranberry’s sharpness. It’s purple-pink in color, which is unique among Christmas cocktails and looks stunning.

The recipe is straightforward and can be made with plum-flavored vodka or regular vodka muddled with fresh plums. The name alone makes it feel whimsical and perfect for holiday parties. It’s sweet but not cloying, with enough tartness to keep it balanced.

Irish Coffee with Bailey’s

Classic Irish coffee gets extra creamy and indulgent with the addition of Bailey’s Irish Cream alongside regular whiskey. The coffee provides warmth and a caffeine boost, while the alcohol adds celebration and the cream makes it luxurious. It’s perfect for after-dinner drinks or as a dessert replacement.

The recipe is simple – hot coffee, whiskey, Bailey’s, and whipped cream on top. It’s warming and comforting, ideal for cold Christmas evenings. The combination of coffee and alcohol makes it both energizing and relaxing, a perfect holiday paradox.

Vanilla Cranberry Spritz

This light, bubbly cocktail combines vanilla vodka with cranberry juice and prosecco for an elegant, festive drink. The vanilla adds smooth sweetness that mellows cranberry’s tartness, while prosecco brings sophisticated bubbles. It’s refreshing without being heavy, making it perfect for sipping throughout parties.

The recipe is incredibly simple – just mix the ingredients and top with prosecco. The pink color is beautiful and the vanilla adds an unexpected twist that elevates it beyond a basic cranberry cocktail. It’s equally appropriate for casual gatherings or formal celebrations.

Chestnuts and Cream Cocktail

This unique cocktail captures the flavor of roasted chestnuts with chestnut liqueur, cream, and a touch of cognac or brandy. It’s rich, nutty, and has a distinctive flavor that’s unlike any other holiday cocktail. The cream makes it smooth and luxurious, almost dessert-like.

This is definitely for adventurous drinkers who want to try something different from typical Christmas flavors. Chestnut liqueur can be hard to find, but it’s worth seeking out for this unique taste. The cocktail is moderately easy to make once you have the ingredients.

Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

This festive punch combines pomegranate juice, vodka, lime, and ginger ale for a crowd-pleasing party drink with beautiful color. The pomegranate provides antioxidant-rich sweetness and that gorgeous jewel-tone red that looks so festive. Ginger ale adds fizz and a subtle spice note that complements the pomegranate beautifully.

This is extremely easy to make in large batches and can be made non-alcoholic by simply omitting the vodka. The floating pomegranate seeds and lime slices make it look impressive with minimal effort. Perfect for parties where you need to serve many people efficiently.