37 Festive Christmas Cocktails to Keep Spirits Bright
Looking for the best Christmas cocktails? Whether you’re planning to pour out prosecco at the holiday party or sip a whiskey cocktail at home by the fire, these recipes will help you change up your winter drink game and reinvigorate your festive spirit. We’ve got jolly spritzes and simple stirred drinks; variations on the martini and mulled wine; and a creamy, rum-laced drink that might just give eggnog a run for its money. There are holiday cocktails to go with Christmas cookies, sparklers to toast with before Christmas dinner, and big-batch punches for any Christmas party. Searching for nonalcoholic options? We’ve got those too.
Once you’ve stocked your home bar with a few of our favorite bottles, you’ll be ready to sip your way through the season with 37 of our most popular Christmas cocktail recipes.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell1/37Scotchy Boulevardiers
Think of this drink as the negroni’s wintery cousin. Made with a combination of scotch and rye instead of gin, it’s bitter and boozy with a touch of smoke. It’s one of our favorite easy Christmas cocktails, especially since you can make it ahead of time.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton2/37
Mulled Wine
Don’t let the holidays pass you by without brewing up a big pot of mulled wine. This holiday punch, infused with spices, citrus zest, and even a vanilla bean, will make the whole house smell like Christmas.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/37
Gourmet’s Classic Eggnog
What makes this eggnog recipe special is its lightness. The egg whites are whipped stiff and folded into the mix, almost like clouds billowing on top of the eggnog. For a twist, try our tea-infused Fireplace Eggnog or caffeinated No-Sleep-Till-Santa Eggnog.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/37
Fleming Fizz
A cross between a Penicillin and a French 75, this cocktail is the best excuse to pull out your champagne flutes. Smoky scotch is lightened with ginger-honey syrup and a splash of sparkling wine.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova5/37
Buttered Rum Hot Chocolate
Butter adds velvety texture and comforting flavor to this special-occasion cocktail featuring bittersweet chocolate, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum, heavy cream, and freshly grated nutmeg. And yes, you should top the cups with marshmallows—preferably the homemade variety.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton6/37
Coquito
No fresh dairy needed for this rum- and cinnamon-spiked Puerto Rican coconut milk punch, which is made almost entirely from canned staples. For the full holiday effect, use cinnamon sticks or candy canes as drink stirrers. Any leftover punch pairs beautifully with your morning shot of espresso.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton7/37
Apples and Oranges
This winter cocktail is the best take on mulled cider we’ve ever tried. The secret: Amaro Averna, Grand Marnier, and a little salted butter.
- Photo by Ed Anderson8/37
Thunderer
Everyone likes a spicy, gingery bourbon drink, especially at Christmas. Fresh lemon and grapefruit juice make this one bright enough to sip before dinner alongside a bowl of spiced nuts.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton9/37
Hot Butterscotch
The rum is optional in this warming, caramelized beverage, which doubles as a special Christmas morning drink. We can tell you this much: It certainly beats that mug of hot chocolate (unless yours is spiked with rum too—that’s a different story). Don’t forget the whipped cream.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou10/37
Lipstick Memory
It’s red and green. It’s tart, bright, and bitter—and doesn’t require a cocktail shaker. If you’re looking for a refreshing drink recipe for your holiday party, this one from Christian Suzuki-Orellana, whom you might know from Drink Masters on Netflix, is your move.
- Photograph by Kelly Puleio11/37
Tingly Pomegranate Rum Punch
You’ll need light rum, Sichuan peppercorns, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup for this pretty, mouth-tingling punch. If you’re feeling generous, you could fill mason jars or little bottles with the potent elixir and drop them off on your neighbors’ doorsteps.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton12/37
Warm Comfort
If you’ve never had a hot toddy made with tequila, the time is now. This version is supremely soothing and simple to make.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Katherine Lough13/37
Ponche a Crème
Epi contributor Brigid Washington shared her favorite Christmas cocktail recipe with us, arguing that the creamy, rum-laced drink is nothing like eggnog—it’s better.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton. Glassware by Riedel.14/37
Little Italy
If you’ve ever wished that your manhattan was a little more complex and a little less sweet, this elegant cocktail is just the thing for your celebration. In fact, we anticipate you’ll be drinking this all holiday season.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou15/37
Turmeric-Cumin Margarita
Test kitchen pro Rachel Gurjar serves this earthy, cool-weather margarita at her Diwali celebration, but we expect the golden-hued elixir will be just as popular throughout the winter holiday season.
- Photo by Kelly Puleio17/37
Perfect Circle
Sometimes, you only need a few ingredients for a great cocktail. The simple combination of sharp Campari and savory fino sherry makes for a spritz that quenches your thirst.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi18/37
Hot White Russian
Dreaming of a white Christmas? This warm version of the classic cocktail is especially appealing by the holiday fireside. It pairs well with a plate of gingerbread or peppermint bark.
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Marrakesh Express
Fresh pomegranate juice shines as bright as the Christmas star against a backdrop of savory harissa heat and a balanced floral aroma from lemon and rosewater in this holiday drink.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Laura Rege20/37
Kitty Highball
We recommend sipping this red wine cocktail, spiked and spritzed with ginger syrup and seltzer, while putting Kelly Clarkson’s seminal Christmas album Wrapped in Red on for another spin.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton21/37
That’ll Take the Edge Off
Inspired by a Sazerac, here’s an intensely boozy, herbal-Scotchy drink that’ll relax your shoulders, loosen your tongue, and clear your mind. Basically, everything you need a Christmas drink to do.
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All She Wrote
Punt e Mes, a bittersweet Italian vermouth, is the secret to this bold but low-ABV concoction. Round off the bitter edge of the vermouth with luscious maraschino liqueur, a little grapefruit liqueur, and a pinch of flaky salt.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne23/37
Jungle Bird
Featuring bitter Campari, this is not your average tropical cocktail. The rum gives it a maple-like flavor, nicely complementing your Christmas dinner.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell24/37
Fifty-Fifty Martini
This hip-again throwback martini is made with equal parts gin and vermouth, as they were served circa 1910. To achieve the right flavor balance, use a high-proof, full-bodied gin—such as Tanqueray—that can stand up to the vermouth.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton25/37
Old-Fashioned
The old-fashioned is a time-honored whiskey cocktail recipe dating back to the early 1800s. The simplest way to make it forgoes the muddled fruit and goes back to just sugar, bitters, spirit, and citrus peel.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton26/37
Black Apple Old-Fashioned
Forget what you remember about Jägermeister. Here, it acts like any other bittersweet amaro, adding spice and herbal flavors to a wintry, boozy drink.
- Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo27/37
Hot Toddy
The hot toddy is a classic combination of four elements: heat, spice, sweet, and sour. Some claim this combo of hot water, clove and/or cinnamon, honey, and lemon juice helps the body defend against colds and viruses. Others just find the drink delicious. Going for extra credit? Did you know that you can actually toddy any cocktail?
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White Russian
Like your favorite coffee drink in boozy mode, this classic vodka cocktail gets a shot of Kahlúa and a little cream for richness. It’s especially great with cookies.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell30/37
Pomegranate Prosecco Punch
Turn prosecco into full-blown Christmas punch with fruity, tart pomegranate juice, bright lime juice, superfine granulated sugar, and slices of fresh clementine and lime. This punch recipe contains no liquor, making it an easy-sipping option to pair with Christmas appetizers.
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Everything Good Cocktail
File under: drinks that taste like Christmas dessert. Inspired by the classic combination of orange and chocolate, this cocktail incorporates orange liqueur, chocolate bitters, and—for a smoky note—mezcal.
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Celery Stalker
The Grinch is here to deliver a dose of…cheer? If you’re planning a particularly heavy Christmas dinner (we’re looking at you, pork roast), consider a light cocktail to start off the night, like this sparkling number. This festive cocktail also makes a nice brunch addition.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert34/37
Classic Whiskey Sour
Traditionalists will tell you that the holidays are not the time to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes, it’s best to stick to the greatest hits—like a classic whiskey sour. Enjoy by the fire on Christmas Eve.
- Photo by Kelly Puleio35/37
Sneaky Peat
Break out the crystal punch bowl. With fresh cranberries and lemon wheels bobbing prettily atop this punch, you might never guess that a devilish concoction of Scotch and bitters lays just beneath the surface.
- Photo by Emma Janzen36/37
Mezcal Mule
With potent ginger juice instead of ginger beer, this smoky twist on a classic Moscow mule packs a punch of spice. Garnish this fizzy drink with a sprig of fresh mint, lime, and cranberries to get it all dressed up for the holidays.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova37/37
Quick Cider-Mulled Wine
This pared-down mulled wine recipe relies on Beaujolais, brandy, fresh apple cider, star anise pods, and cinnamon sticks. The wintertime answer to sangria, this seasonal sipper is best enjoyed while sitting around a fire or Christmas tree.
Joe Sevier
Kendra Vaculin
Maggie Hoffman