Christmas Cocktails
There’s something magical about a Christmas cocktail that makes the season feel even more festive. Whether it’s the scent of warm spices, the sparkle of champagne, or a creamy sip that tastes like dessert, every drink has the power to spread a little extra cheer. These Christmas cocktails capture the flavours and feelings of the holidays in every glass, making them perfect for cosy nights in or glittering holiday gatherings.
From classic blends like hot buttered rum and eggnog-inspired creations to bright, refreshing mixes with cranberry, pomegranate, or citrus, this collection brings together the best of both tradition and creativity. You’ll find drinks that are smooth and comforting, fruity and fun, or elegant enough to serve at your next Christmas party.
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So dust off your shaker, rim those glasses with sugar, and get ready to toast to the most wonderful time of the year. These holiday cocktails are the perfect finishing touch for any celebration.
Essential Bar Tools to Mix the Best Christmas Cocktails
To create festive drinks that look and taste professional, it helps to have a few reliable bar tools ready. These essentials will make mixing, shaking, and serving your Christmas cocktails effortless and enjoyable. They also make great Xmas presents!
- Cocktail Shaker Set: Perfect for shaking and chilling festive drinks like martinis or margaritas.
- Jigger Measuring Tool: Ensures you pour the right amount of spirits for balanced and consistent cocktails.
- Bar Spoon: Ideal for stirring layered drinks and mixing ingredients gently.
- Cocktail Strainer: Keeps ice and fruit pulp out of your glass for a smooth, clean pour.
- Ice Moulds for Cocktails: Create large, slow-melting cubes that keep your drinks cold without diluting them.
- Cocktail Glasses Set: Elevate presentation and make every drink look ready for a festive toast.
Christmas Cocktail Recipes
These Christmas cocktails are made to sip, savor and celebrate. Whether you love something creamy and cozy, sparkling and bright or bold with a holiday twist, each drink adds a little extra magic to your festive gatherings.
Pink Peppermint Martini
A minty dessert cocktail made by shaking vodka and white crème de cacao. Rim the glass with crushed peppermint candies for a candy‑cane flavour and an extra festive touch.
Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy Recipe
Cranberry juice is simmered with spices to make a fragrant base. Pour into mugs and garnish with cranberries; a warm, spiced drink with vibrant colour.
Mulled wine recipe
This warm, spiced wine combines red wine, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise. It simmers gently (never boiling) and can be sweetened with sugar or honey, filling the house with holiday aromas.
Salted Caramel White Russian
A decadent twist on the White Russian where vodka, Kahlúa and cream are shaken and poured into a glass swirled with caramel sauce, then drizzled with more caramel and sprinkled with coarse sea salt for a sweet‑salty finish.
White Christmas Martini
A creamy martini made by shaking vodka, white chocolate liqueur, white crème de cocoa and half‑and‑half with ice. Rim the glass with melted white chocolate and crushed candy canes for a festive look and garnish.
Easy Jingle Juice Holiday Punch (only 3 ingredients!)
A party‑worthy punch made with whipped vodka, pink champagne or sparkling rosé and Cherry 7‑Up. Pour everything over ice in a punch bowl, stir gently and garnish with cranberries or festive ice—easy, fun and perfect for a crowd.
The Best Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
This quick three‑ingredient drink uses pomegranate juice and chilled champagne in a sugar‑rimmed glass and can be sweetened with simple syrup. Pomegranate arils float on top, giving the cocktail a jewel‑like appearance.
Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
Bourbon is shaken with maple syrup or honey, fresh lemon juice, apple cider and Angostura bitters, then poured over ice and topped with ginger ale. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks for a crisp, spiced drink that tastes like autumn and winter in one.
Gingerbread Martini: The Perfect Holiday Cocktail
This dessert martini tastes like a gingerbread cookie in a glass. Homemade gingerbread syrup (molasses, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves) is shaken with Baileys, vodka, cream and vanilla, then topped with whipped cream and crushed gingerbread.
Christmas Margarita
A seasonal margarita that combines cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, lime juice, tequila and triple sec. Served over ice and garnished with cranberries and rosemary, it turns a summer classic into a wintry showstopper.
Cranberry Moscow Mule
A festive mule made with ginger beer, cranberry juice, lime juice and dark rum or vodka. Served over crushed ice in copper mugs, it balances tart cranberry with zesty ginger and lime, topped with cranberries and lime wedges.
Hot Buttered Rum | Christmas Drinks & Cocktail Recipes
Unsalted butter is foamed with cloves and orange peel then mixed with cloudy apple juice, rum and apricot brandy. It’s simmered and served hot with freshly grated nutmeg—an indulgent winter cocktail to warm you up.
Prancer's Eggnog White Russian Christmas Cocktail
A holiday twist on a White Russian—coffee liqueur and vodka are mixed with creamy eggnog and served cold or warm. Freshly grated nutmeg or cinnamon on top makes it taste like a cross between a White Russian and classic eggnog.