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.

Light, bubbly and bright, this poinsettia cocktail combines cranberry juice, orange liqueur and sparkling wine for a festive holiday toast.

This holiday-inspired take on a Champagne cocktail uses vanilla-flavored vodka, and has a rim coated with sugar and colorful nonpareils as a playful nod to a decorative sugar cookie.

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.

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.

The traditional elements that give the steaming hot Noche Buena punch, known as ponche, its signature warm flavor are tejocotes (fragrant Mexican hawthorn fruits that become tender when cooked), caña (fresh sugar cane to gnaw on) and tropical guavas. You can add other ingredients like tamarind pods, dried hibiscus flowers and your favorite dried fruit to customize it to your liking. The chopped nuts give it a delicious bite, and if you’re feeling festive, you can make this into a party drink by adding a shot of rum or tequila.

Nancy Fuller’s bourbon cranberry cocktail balances smooth bourbon with tart cranberries and a hint of citrus for a cozy Christmas sipper.

The ever-present spiced botanical flavors of gin pairs perfectly with peppermint schnapps in this festively colored cocktail recipe. We top each drink with effervescent tonic water, which provides a lovely balance of sweet and bitter. Garnish with a peppermint stick for all the holiday feels!

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!

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.

Cremasse (sometimes spelled cremas or kremas) is a traditional Haitian drink that’s shared with family and friends, usually at the holidays. It’s similar to eggnog and other festive winter drinks but doesn’t contain eggs. Although most recipes for this popular drink have you simply dumping all the ingredients together, infusing the spices into the cream at the beginning intensifies their flavor. And in case you’re wondering about the difference between rum and rhum: Rum is made from molasses, while rhum is made directly from sugarcane. Rum is typically sweet and syrupy, while rhum has more of a punch with herby, earthy flavors. Haitian rhum is often aged for as much as 8 years in oak barrels for even more flavor. Do seek out aged rhum for this festive drink for a true Haitian experience.

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.

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

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!

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

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.

Consider this rich holiday libation “Mexican eggnog.” In Mexico, it’s often found bottled and in many flavors like vanilla, pine nut or walnut, but it's also easy to make yourself. This recipe is about as classic as it gets. It is pure comfort, with a creamy texture thanks to the tempered egg yolks and a nutty sweetness from the almond extract. A little rum or brandy goes a long way. Serve well chilled and on the rocks for a festive Noche Buena.

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

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!

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.