40 Festive Holiday Drinks

First up: the Poinsettia! It's the most vibrant, stunning Christmas cocktail! This cranberry champagne cocktail has a brilliant color and cozy vibe that make it the perfect holiday drink. It makes any holiday party more fun. Of course, you can serve it any time of the year too! It uses only a few simple ingredients: cranberry juice, cointreau, and champagne.

A fantastic holiday drink...Holiday Punch! It’s bright and bubbly, topped with citrus fruits, berries and herbs. Sparkling wine makes sweet tart bubbles, complemented by ginger ale, orange liqueur and pineapple juice. Take one sip and you’ll immediately want to take another.

This mulled apple cider hits the top of our holiday drinks, and is one of the best non alcoholic Christmas drinks out there. Simmering it on the stove makes your house smell like a Christmas wonderland, with the cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and star anise. It looks beautiful garnished with orange and cranberries.

Also try: Slow Cooker Apple Cider, Spiked Apple Cider, or Hot Apple Cider

Meet everyone's favorite holiday drink: the Christmas Margarita! This bright red drink is absolutely stunning to look at, and the sweet tart flavor is crisp and refreshing. It’s got all the character of the classic margarita, but a beautiful new look and nuance to the flavor.

Another memorable signature Christmas cocktail? This Christmas martini is where it’s at: sweet tart, drinkable and beautifully festive! This martini is the perfect fit for entertaining. It’s easy to mix up and the color is beautifully brilliant from the cranberry juice. You can also make it as a pitcher for easy prep.

Here’s a delightful signature holiday drink: try the Peppermint Martini! This drink is creamy and minty fresh, a delicious combination of peppermint schnapps and chocolate liqueur. In fact, you may want to drink this any time of year! Of course, it’s perfect for the holidays. Cozy up with one by the fire, or drink it as a fun Christmas cocktail with appetizers.

Mulled wine is another fantastic holiday drink: the flavor is nuanced and cozy. It's easy to make: all you'll do is simmer dry red wine with orange zest, cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice and honey. This Christmas cocktail will will warm you from the inside and out!

Need a great punch recipe for the holidays? Try this Christmas Punch! The flavor is fruity and delicious, with a little sparkle from ginger ale. You can make it with rum for a punch with alcohol, or omit it for non alcoholic. Either way, it tastes incredible! The best part? Garnish it up with sliced citrus, rosemary branches and cranberries. It couldn’t be more festive or beautiful.

Here's a great holiday drink that's been around for centuries: the classic Hot Toddy! This historic drink used to be a cure for the common cold, and with one sip you’ll know why. A burst of warm bourbon or brandy melds seamlessly into the lemon and honey. Even just the light steam on your face as you take in the aroma makes this drink worth making.

Did you know the absolute best hot chocolate is homemade in just 5 minutes? Here’s the very best homemade hot chocolate recipe: it’s creamy, rich, chocolaty, and tastes like a dream with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla on the finish. All you need are a few ingredients, and you might already have them on hand. You can make it spiked or serve it straight up!

Also try: Vegan Hot Chocolate, Healthy Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate, Baileys Hot Chocolate or Kahlua Hot Chocolate

What’s more festive on Christmas morning than waking up to a Christmas Mimosa? This tasty drink is bubbly and perfect for the season. Rich pomegranate juice contrasts with the citrus sweetness of orange, topped off with a profusion of bubbles. This one is a great tradition for Christmas breakfast or brunch…with gingerbread waffles or snowman pancakes.

Here’s an impressive cocktail that’s pretty darn perfect, in our opinion: this Pomegranate Gin Fizz! Take the classic over the top with this pomegranate spin: it elevates the sweet tart flavor and gives the drink a brilliant jewel-toned color! It will impress absolutely everyone at the holidays.

There’s nothing quite like a hot beverage to beat the cold weather. So why not cozy up to this Gingerbread Latte? It’s sweetly spiced and full of flavor, with bold notes of ginger, cinnamon and allspice from the homemade gingerbread syrup. Add to that creamy, foamy steamed milk and it’s the cozy drink of your dreams (ours, at least!).

This apple cider sangria is a perfect Christmas cocktail, pairing sparkling apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon. In a word: wow. It's just sweet enough, more like a traditional Spanish sangria. Pour it into the glass in layers to make the the beautiful two-tones. And don't forget the garnish: a rosemary sprig, orange slice, and cinnamon stick!

Looking for a cozy drink for the holidays? This cozy-spiced Christmas coffee is where it’s at! Mix up a homemade gingerbread syrup with brown sugar and whole spices: it infuses the best hints of cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Top with whipped cream and festive sprinkles, if you like! You can serve it at Christmas breakfast or brunch, or even spike it with Baileys for a treat on Christmas Eve. 

Here’s a holiday drink that’s ideal for sipping with family and friends: Hot Buttered Rum! Even just saying the name makes you warm inside. This historic drink has been around for centuries. This version is subtly sweet, cozy-spiced with cinnamon and allspice, and spirit-forward with boozy dark rum. Oh: and there’s just enough butter to make it lightly creamy. It’s enough to warm your toes…and your soul.

Need a festive holiday drink? Try this Gingerbread Martini! This creamy cocktail is absolutely irresistible: just sweet enough and packed with cozy cinnamon, allspice and ginger. It tastes like a gingerbread cookie, but even better: with a little intrigue on the finish. It’s only 3 ingredients and the perfect festive cocktail for holiday entertaining. 

Here's an over the top fun holiday drink: the North Pole! It’s sweet and slightly chocolatey with just a hint of peppermint and ginger. Think gingerbread martini meets chocolate martini! Combine vodka, Kahlua, chocolate syrup, molasses, ginger and heavy cream for a stunning sweet drink. via Half Baked Harvest

Want an easy drink that’s festive and sophisticated? There’s nothing better than a Kir Royale! This famous French cocktail stars black currant liqueur and sparkling wine: and the berries and bubbles suit each other perfectly. The best cocktail recipes are simple perfection, and there’s nothing better than this 2 ingredient combination. Here’s the backstory behind this famous drink, and a few tricks to making the very best Kir Royale.

Here’s a creamy, cold cocktail that’s exceedingly delicious in as a holiday drink: Bourbon Milk Punch! You might not expect it, but the combination of milk and bourbon is spot on. The richness of the milk perfectly compliments the oak and vanilla notes in the bourbon. 

Looking for a festive holiday drink? Try the French 77! This champagne cocktail is a spin on the classic French 75 that adds St Germain elderflower liqueur. And dare we say it: it makes this classic cocktail even better. It’s bubbly and effervescent, with the floral undertones, a botanical pop from the gin and the zing of fresh lemon juice. 

Looking for a signature holiday drink featuring cranberry and orange? Try this Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail! It’s balanced, sweet tart, and complex, fruity with intriguing notes from sweet vermouth. Because it stars cranberry and bourbon it’s ideal for fall or winter entertaining, like Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas. 

Here's a fun Christmas cocktail that celebrates the man of the season: the Santa Clause Smash! Homemade ginger honey syrup, sweet pomegranate, warming bourbon, winter citrus, vanilla, and fizzy ginger beer make this a fun and cozy festive drink. via Half Baked Harvest

This Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail is the perfect holiday signature drink! Cider pairs perfectly with sweet and spicy bourbon in this sophisticated drink. It’s got a hint of lemon and a surprise ingredient that rounds out the flavors into a meld that’s intriguing, complex and highly drinkable!

Try this Pomegranate Sparkler, aka the Pomegranate Mimosa! The combination of sweet tart pomegranate, orange perfume and airy bubbles is one of the most satisfying we've had. Call it a Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail or Pomegranate Prosecco Sparkler and you can drink it in the evening, too! 

Want a cozy winter drink that warms you from the inside out? There’s nothing better at taking the chill off than a homemade Spiked Hot Chocolate! This mug of liquid cocoa is rich and creamy, with an intense depth in chocolate flavor. A hint of aged rum or bourbon, and it gives it a warming complexity with notes of vanilla and oak. Or, add creme de menthe for a smooth peppermint flavor. Take one sip and we think you’ll agree: it’s truly stunning.

Here's a delicious pitcher-style holiday drink: the Holly Jolly Christmas cocktail! It's a tasty mix of vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and fresh squeezed winter citrus, topped off with bubbly ginger beer. It’s simple, refreshing, and cheerful! via Half Baked Harvest

How festive is this classic champagne cocktail? It's a way to spice up your bubbly that tastes refreshing and celebratory. Adding a sugar cube to champagne makes a fountain of bubbles that positively sparkles! Make it as a holiday drink for Christmas parties: and it's perfect for New Year's Eve too!

This St Germain champagne cocktail is sophisticated and refreshing: floral, botanical, tangy, and bubbly all at once! With its festive flair, it's a lovely holiday drink and perfect for grazing on holiday finger foods. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig: and a few fresh cranberries, if you're looking for that holiday vibe!

This non alcoholic Christmas drink could not be more beautiful! This holiday drink is basically a mocktail, made with iced tea, pomegranate juice, fresh orange and lime juice, and sparkling cider. Oh and it's garnished with rosemary. It's the beverage to enjoy with Christmas dinner. Because it's a mocktail, it works for everyone around the table!

Here’s a warm and cozy mug you won’t be able to stop sipping: the Peppermint Patty! This hot chocolate is spiked with not one but two liqueurs, adding both mint and chocolate flavors to the rich body of this drink. It’s stellar with homemade hot chocolate, but you can also make it with purchased hot cocoa mix. The amount of cozy flavor here is unreal. 

What better holiday drink than spiked cider? This recipe is simmered with cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, then stirred together with a healthy swig of rum. The rum adds a warm roundness to this Christmas cocktail that's like a warm and cozy hug. See also: Bourbon Hot Toddy

Looking for a stunning holiday drink that’s sweet and creamy? Try this Peppermint White Russian! In fact, this spin on the classic might be even more fun than the original. It’s got a bright, minty finish that melds into the Kahlua and cream perfectly. It’s fast and easy to swirl together in a lowball glass, and it’s a total crowd pleaser. 

Get ready for the best new fruity spin on the classic: the Cranberry Moscow Mule! This drink has loads of sweet tart flavor, balancing crisp cranberry with tangy lime and spicy ginger. Sip it out of an ice cold copper mug, and it’s ideal for Christmas entertaining.

Here’s one of the most stunning and tasty cocktails out there: the New York Sour! This spin on the whiskey sour takes the classic up a notch. First you have the whiskey sour layer: sweet tart and perfectly balanced. Float a layer of red wine over the top and it adds complexity and a fruity acidity, not to mention a stunning vibrant two-toned layer. 

Looking for a drink to warm up on a chilly evening? A hot toddy is one thing, but even better? Try an Apple Cider Hot Toddy! Apple cider is the ideal balance in a hot toddy: it brings just the right sweet tart nuance to the flavor. Mix one up as a single serving, or make a big batch for guests like a spiked cider. 

The Cosmo's bright red color makes it beautifully festive as a holiday drink! As certified mixologists with over 300 cocktail recipes in our library, we love this sour cocktail that pairs zingy cranberry and lime with vodka and orange liqueur.

Need a Christmas cocktail that’s quick and easy? Try the Christmas Moscow mule! This spin on the classic Moscow mule is a zingy, festive combination of cranberry juice, vodka, peppermint schnaps and ginger beer. It’s so simple you can build it right in the glass, no cocktail shakers required! 

Try a classic Irish coffee for the holidays! There’s nothing more soul-warming than the combination of bitter coffee, buttery whisky, and frothy whipped cream. This 1950’s drink is popular around the world, and has inspired many variations on the spiked coffee theme.

Last up in our holiday drinks: the Pomegranate Martini! It's is a drink that works for anytime: but with its vivid festive color, it's a great Christmas cocktail! It's tangy and balanced with pomegranate, vodka and Cointreau. To make it even more holiday: add some whole pomegranate seeds as a garnish!