59 Christmas Cocktail Recipes to Make Everyone's Spirits Bright

Whether you’re hosting a get-together or enjoying a quiet night at home, there’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a festive drink in hand!

November 28, 2022

By: Food Network Kitchen

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Our Merriest Mixed Drinks

Whether you’re a fan of a good, old-fashioned eggnog, a cup of spiked hot chocolate or warm-and-cozy Wassail, there’s no denying that a great cocktail makes everything from caroling to gift wrapping even better. Planning a few festive activities this season? You’ll find all the mixed drinks you need right here. Going ice skating? Warm up with mulled wine afterwards. Need a drink for your holiday movie night? Make coquito. Hosting a girls’ night gift swap? It’s gingerbread martinis all around. The options are near endless. One of our favorite cocktails for everything from entertaining to casual sipping through, is this margarita. It’s a fun spin on the traditionally warm-weather cocktail that you know and love — turned snowy white and finished with festive cranberry ice cubes.

Get the Recipe: White Christmas Margarita

Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Ginger, cinnamon and allspice bring a gingerbread flavor to this hot chocolate. Intense Dutch-process cocoa powder balances the spices, and chopped milk chocolate is mixed in at the end for a creamy, rich texture.

Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Wassail

Wassail is a hot mulled cider, traditionally enjoyed during wassailing, an English Christmas drinking ritual intended to ensure a good apple harvest the following year. The whole baked apples floating on top lend a homey feel to the warming festive drink. Serve as is -- or top with a splash of brandy if you like. It's perfect for a big family gathering or holiday party.

Get the Recipe: Wassail

Vodka Cranberry Punch with Apple Cider Ice Cubes

This is dangerously easy and delicious. Not only does it taste sweet and spicy, but just look at it! Those colors! The ruby-red cranberries cover the surface, and the apple cider cubes are the best additions that amp up the flavor.

Get the Recipe: Vodka Cranberry Punch with Apple Cider Ice Cubes

Santa's Sleigh Cocktail

Use store-bought eggnog as the base for Sandra's creamy martini.

Get the Recipe: Santa's Sleigh Cocktail

Hot Ginger Toddy

Honey, ginger syrup and lemon juice are all you need to make this bourbon cocktail that'll keep you warm througout the holiday season.

Get the Recipe: Hot Ginger Toddy

Caribbean Sorrel Cocktail

This simple rum punch has a bright, refreshing flavor that's sure to have you dreaming of sunny skies and sandy beaches all Christmas long!

Get the Recipe: Caribbean Sorrel Cocktail

Champagne Cocktail

Bobby soaks sugar cubes in angostura bitters before topping them with chilled Champagne.

Get the Recipe: Champagne Cocktail

Mulled Wine

Ina's warming drink combines apple cider with red wine for a cocktail that'll serve a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Mulled Wine

Coquito

Coquito may translate to little coconut, but this boozy drink is big on coconut flavor. Traditionally served around Christmas, this holiday drink originated in Puerto Rico and is made with rum, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk and spices. It's delicious served very cold, with a dusting of fresh nutmeg on top.

Get the Recipe: Coquito

Champagne Bourbon Cocktail

Make a vanilla bean-infused simple syrup to sweeten this bourbon and Prosecco cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Champagne Bourbon Cocktail

Holiday Party Punch

Looking for a quick drink solution for a crowd? Sanda's punch uses sparkling cider, cranberry juice and ginger ale so you can pull a cocktail together in a pinch.

Get the Recipe: Holiday Party Punch

Three Citrus Ponche de Creme

Every island in the Caribbean puts its own spin on holiday milk punch. This eggless version of Trinidad's Ponche de Creme uses lemon curd to add additional creaminess — and no refrigeration is needed.

Get the Recipe: Three Citrus Ponche de Creme (Trinidadian Coquito)

Homemade Hot Chocolate, 3 Ways

Make a classic hot chocolate base from scratch then pick your favorite mix-in.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Hot Chocolate 3 Ways

Gingerbread Martini

Trisha whips up her indulgent holiday martinis by combining Irish cream liqueur, vodka, coffee liqueur, vanilla ice cream and homemade gingerbread simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.

Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Martini

Espresso Soda

Bobby infuses simple syrup with espresso beans and adds it to ice-cold vodka and coffee liqueur with a splash of club soda on top.

Get the Recipe: Espresso Soda

Candy Cane Cocktail

Sandra mimics the flavors of a candy cane in a cocktail by using equal parts vanilla rum, white chocolate liqueur and peppermint schnapps.

Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Cocktail

Slow-Cooker Hot Chocolate

Whip up a big batch of perfect hot chocolate for your favorite friends with this effortless slow-cooker recipe. We used semisweet chocolate for its richness and balanced sweetness. Keep the setting on warm while serving and set up the various toppings for the most festive make-your-own hot chocolate bar!

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Hot Chocolate

Pomegranate Sangria

This cold-weather sangria floats oranges, grapes and pomegranate seeds over a fruity collection of spirits like brandy, orange liqueur and red wine.

Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Sangria

Cosmopolitans

When in doubt, Ina loves to serve Cosmopolitans, the cocktail that turns any event into a party. A healthy dose of fresh lime juice lends this classic vodka cocktail a bright, zesty tang.

Get the Recipe: Cosmopolitans

Peppermint White Russian

A swirl of a peppermint stick (and peppermint schnapps) transforms a regular white Russian into a frosty, winter drink

Get the Recipe: Peppermint White Russian

Buttered Apple Cider

Top slow-cooked cider with bourbon and a pat of spiced butter.

Get the Recipe: Buttered Apple Cider

Winterberry Cocktail

You’ll be sipping in a winter wonderland with this easy cranberry-lime cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Winterberry Cocktail

The Keats

Homemade ginger syrup adds exotic spice to this apple brandy-based sip.

Get the Recipe: The Keats

Eggnog

Alton's version of adults-only eggnog is spiked with bourbon. For authentic holiday flavor, use freshly grated nutmeg.

Get the Recipe: Eggnog

Jingle Juice

All the festive fruits come together in this giant punch bowl cocktail. With just the right amount of sweet from the pomegranate and cranberry juices, fizz from the prosecco and booze from the gin and orange liqueur, this dump and stir drink will have your guests running back for more.

Get the Recipe: Jingle Juice

Ginger Snap

A rim of crushed gingerbread cookies makes this ginger-beer-and-rum cocktail extra festive.

Get the Recipe: Ginger Snap

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Homemade peppermint hot chocolate is easy enough to prepare in just 15 minutes. Bittersweet chocolate melted into milk and heavy cream creates the rich, creamy base for minty flavor.

Get the Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Maple Butter Kiss

Butterscotch schnapps and real maple syrup give this drink its sweet finish.

Get the Recipe: Maple Butter Kiss

Fig and Rosemary Mule

For a stronger flavor, opt for fig-flavored vodka or even add 1 teaspoon of fig jam to your ginger beer.

Get the Recipe: Fig and Rosemary Mule

Hot Buttered Rum

This holiday classic gains sweetness from brown sugar and spice from cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Get the Recipe: Hot Buttered Rum

Citrus Temptation

Limoncello gives this vodka-based cocktail some Italian flair.

Get the Recipe: Citrus Temptation

Cranberry Kir Royale

For this fizzy kir, Tyler makes a fruity syrup from scratch with frozen cranberries, orange juice and sugar and tops the crimson liquid with Champagne for sparkle.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Kir Royale

Bobby's Mulled Cider

Simmer apple cider with warm winter spices and orange slices, then serve it hot by the fireside.

Get the Recipe: Mulled Cider

Puerto Rican Coconut Milk-Rum Christmas Drink: Coquito

Ring in the Yuletide with something frothy, sweet and spicy, like a coquito. This traditional Puerto Rican Christmas cocktail is full of rich coconut flavor.

Get the Recipe: Puerto Rican Coconut Milk-Rum Christmas Drink: Coquito

Candy Cane Cooler

Kick off your holiday party with this candy-inspired cocktail made with mint-infused vodka.

Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Cooler

Mexicocoa

Warm up with this festive hot chocolate spiked with tequila and a pinch of chili powder.

Get the Recipe: Mexicocoa

Mulled Apple Cider

Fill your house with the aromas of the holidays (like apple, cranberry and cinnamon) and make a delicious drink to sip at your get-together. Two-for-one!

Get the Recipe: Mulled Apple Cider

Chai Toddy

Get cozy with an Indian-inspired version of the classic hot toddy.

Get the Recipe: Chai Toddy

Apple and Thyme Martini

Giada makes a homemade thyme simple syrup to add sweetness and an herbaceous note to this apple juice topped martini.

Get the Recipe: Apple and Thyme Martini

Hot Spiced Sangria

Cook red and white wine in a slow cooker with frozen fruit for a wintry take on classic sangria.

Get the Recipe: Hot Spiced Sangria

Classic Eggnog

Once you taste homemade eggnog, you’ll never go back to the stuff in the carton. This is our go-to version for the holiday season. It’s festive and decadent, laced with nutmeg and vanilla. We lightened it up by folding in whipped cream and made the booze optional so that it’s good for young and old alike.

Get the Recipe: Classic Eggnog

Negroni

The robust red color of this Italian cocktail makes it ideal for holiday entertaining. The garnish of an orange zest twist distinguishes it from a similarly styled Americano cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Negroni

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

A candy cane adds festive flair and extra minty flavor to this dark hot chocolate.

Get the Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Holiday Eggnog

This Ecuadorian spin on eggnog blends fresh eggs with condensed milk and peaches for a rich and frothy festive drink. Add rum to the mix for even more holiday cheer.

Get the Recipe: Rosario's Rumpope (Ecuadorian Holiday Eggnog)

Boardwalk Boss

Combine whiskey, sweet vermouth and apple brandy in a cocktail shaker; add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled tumbler with fresh ice and garnish with a lemon twist.

Get the Recipe: Boardwalk Boss

Butterscotch Bliss

This creamy cocktail pairs Irish cream liqueur with butterscotch and cinnamon schnapps.

Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Bliss

Fresh Whiskey Sours

Ina mixes whiskey with lemon and lime juice before topping with a maraschino cherry for a perfect party-ready cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Whiskey Sours

Vanilla Dark and Stormy

Combine dark rum with ginger beer, lime juice and a splash of vanilla extract. Serve on the rocks with lime wedges.

Get the Recipe: Vanilla Dark and Stormy

Cranberry Punch Pizzazz

Sandra's cranberry cocktail is made with Merlot and cranberry juice infused with cinnamon and cardamom.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Punch Pizzazz

Orange Currant Pick-Me-Up

This refreshing cocktail gets its kick from grappa, an Italian spirit.

Get the Recipe: Orange Currant Pick-Me-Up

Country Christmas Tea

Sandra turns chai tea into an adults-only cocktail with spiced rum and vanilla-flavored vodka.

Get the Recipe: Country Christmas Tea

Cherry Brandy Old Fashioned

Add cherries to this holiday take on a classic old fashioned.

Get the Recipe: Cherry Brandy Old-Fashioned

Cider Jack Cocktails

Shake applejack liqueur, lemon juice and a splash of grenadine or simple syrup together, then top the cocktail with hard apple cider and a cinnamon stick.

Get the Recipe: Cider Jack Cocktails

Christmas in a Glass

Drink up your holiday gingerbread by topping fizzy chilled Prosecco with a spoonful of gingerbread-flavored syrup.

Get the Recipe: Christmas in a Glass

Star Anise and Cinnamon Beer

For this wintry spin on lager beer, Giada makes a simple syrup that's spiced with star anise pods and cinnamon sticks, then stirs it into an ice-cold pitcher of beer.

Get the Recipe: Star Anise and Cinnamon Beer

Champagne Cocktails

Orange juice and raspberry liqueur make up the base of this cocktail, which is topped off with sparkling rose and fresh raspberries.

Get the Recipe: Champagne Cocktails

Wassail

Alton adapts an old recipe to make every caroler's favorite drink, a wassail. The introduction of beaten eggs and brown-sugar-baked apples makes for a foamy, sweet mulled cider.

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Holiday Central

59 Christmas Cocktail Recipes to Make Everyone's Spirits Bright

Related To:

Our Merriest Mixed Drinks

Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Wassail

Vodka Cranberry Punch with Apple Cider Ice Cubes

Santa's Sleigh Cocktail

Hot Ginger Toddy

Caribbean Sorrel Cocktail

Champagne Cocktail

Mulled Wine

Coquito

Champagne Bourbon Cocktail

Holiday Party Punch

Three Citrus Ponche de Creme

Homemade Hot Chocolate, 3 Ways

Gingerbread Martini

Espresso Soda

Candy Cane Cocktail

Slow-Cooker Hot Chocolate

Pomegranate Sangria

Cosmopolitans

Peppermint White Russian

Buttered Apple Cider

Winterberry Cocktail

The Keats

Eggnog

Jingle Juice

Ginger Snap

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Maple Butter Kiss

Fig and Rosemary Mule

Hot Buttered Rum

Citrus Temptation

Cranberry Kir Royale

Bobby's Mulled Cider

Puerto Rican Coconut Milk-Rum Christmas Drink: Coquito

Candy Cane Cooler

Mexicocoa

Mulled Apple Cider

Chai Toddy

Apple and Thyme Martini

Hot Spiced Sangria

Classic Eggnog

Negroni

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Holiday Eggnog

Boardwalk Boss

Butterscotch Bliss

Fresh Whiskey Sours

Vanilla Dark and Stormy

Cranberry Punch Pizzazz

Orange Currant Pick-Me-Up

Country Christmas Tea

Cherry Brandy Old Fashioned

Cider Jack Cocktails

Christmas in a Glass

Star Anise and Cinnamon Beer

Champagne Cocktails

Wassail

Irish Eggnog

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