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These Christmas cocktails with vodka are the perfect signature drinks for parties! Try themed martinis, mules, and more.

When it comes to entertaining, vodka is one of the most versatile spirits around. So it’s no surprise that some of the best holiday drinks are Christmas cocktails with vodka! This neutral spirit works in many different concepts, from Christmas-themed martinis to Moscow mules. Combining it with the flavors of the season makes unique signature drinks, using peppermint, cranberry, pomegranate and pear.
And now…our top Christmas cocktails with vodka!
Here’s a delightful signature vodka Christmas cocktail: try the Peppermint Martini! This drink is creamy and minty fresh, a delicious combination of peppermint schnapps and chocolate liqueur. Cozy up with one by the fire, or drink it as a fun Christmas cocktail with appetizers. With a flavor of liquid candy canes, this one’s a total crowd pleaser.
Ingredients: Peppermint schnapps, vodka, Creme de Cacao, heavy cream
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! Say hello to your new favorite holiday drink.
Looking for a memorable signature Christmas vodka cocktail? This Christmas martini is where it’s at: sweet tart, drinkable and beautifully festive! Turns out, a festive martini is the perfect fit for entertaining. It’s easy to mix up and the color is beautifully brilliant from the cranberry juice.
Ingredients: Cranberry juice, vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup
Need a festive Christmas drink? Try this Gingerbread Martini! This creamy cocktail is absolutely irresistible: just sweet enough and packed with cozy cinnamon, allspice and ginger from homemade gingerbread syrup. It tastes like a cookie, but even better: with a little intrigue on the finish. It’s only 3 ingredients and the perfect festive cocktail for holiday entertaining.
Ingredients: Vodka, half and half, gingerbread syrup
Looking for a stunning wintery cocktail 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. Who could resist it?
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, peppermint schnapps, heavy cream or milk
Here’s a Christmas spin on a classic cocktail we think might be even better than the original: the Pomegranate Cosmo! This sweet tart drink pairs pomegranate, vodka, and orange liqueur in a symphony of flavor. You can use bottled pomegranate juice from the store, or make your own using the seeds from the fresh fruit. Add fresh pomegranate seeds as a garnish!
Ingredients: 100% pomegranate juice, vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup
Here’s a festive cocktail that’s perfect for Christmas: the Apple Cider Mule! Everyone loves a classic Moscow Mule, and this seasonal spin is even more fun. It pairs apples and ginger in a bubbly, effervescent mix that looks perfectly cozy nestled in a copper mug.
Ingredients: Vodka, lime, apple cider, ginger beer
Here's a delicious vodka Christmas cocktail that's so fruity and sweet, it's like drinking candy! Try the Cranberry Elderflower Cocktail, a tasty blend of vodka, cranberry and St Germain. St Germain is a liqueur made with elderflowers, with a warm floral flavor. It pairs just perfectly here, making a tasty signature drink!
Ingredients: St Germain, vodka, cranberry juice, lemon juice, simple syrup
This unique vodka cocktail works for Christmas when pears are in season! The Pear Martini is great for winter entertaining, and to be honest: it caught us off guard with its delicate, sweet flavor. Pear comes in two waves: a muddled fresh pear brings brightness, and pear vodka infuses a strong fruity aroma. Paired with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, it’s truly stunning!
Ingredients: Pear vodka. fresh pear, lemon juice, simple syrup, orange bitters
If you’re a lover of sweet and creamy drinks for Christmas, try the Rumchata White Russian! This spin on the classic drink is an ideal use for the cinnamon and cream liqueur, pairing it with coffee liqueur and vodka. It’s intensely sweet, so plan on nursing this slow sipper all evening.
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, RumChata
Last up in our Christmas cocktails with vodka: the Pomegranate Martini! Crisp, sweet tart, fruity, and light: it’s much closer to a Cosmo than the classic martini. But instead of cranberry juice like the Cosmopolitan, it’s made with pomegranate juice instead. Serve it up in a martini glass and you’ve got a sophisticated cocktail that’s refreshing and easy to drink.
Ingredients: Vodka, pomegranate juice (purchased or fresh squeezed), Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup
More seasonal inspiration
Want more drinks for the season? Here are a few more winter cocktail ideas using many types of spirits:
- Try these 12 Top Winter Cocktails or 10 Winter Vodka Cocktails
- Get warm with Top 10 Hot Alcoholic Drinks or 15 Hot Drinks to Take the Chill Off
- Grab 12 Winter Drinks for the Season (includes non-alcoholic drinks!)
- Opt for Christmas Bourbon Cocktails
- Try these 15 Best Holiday Drinks
Vodka Christmas Cocktails: Peppermint Martini & More!
These Christmas cocktails with vodka are the perfect signature drinks for parties! Try themed martinis, mules, and more.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 ounce* peppermint schnapps (or white Creme de Menthe)
- ½ ounce vodka
- 1 ½ ounces Creme de Cacao
- 1 ½ ounces heavy cream
- Peppermint candies and grenadine, for the rim (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the rim: Crush the peppermint candies and place them in an even layer on a plate. On another plate, add a small pool of grenadine, or simply wet the rim of the glass with water using your finger (grenadine is easiest and works best). Run the rim of a martini glass in the grenadine first, rotating the glass so the rim is evenly coated. Then roll the rim in the crushed candies until evenly coated.
- Shake the drink: Place the peppermint schnapps, vodka, Creme de Cacao, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake until cold. Strain the drink into the prepared martini glass.
More cocktail recipes
There are so many cocktails to try outside of these Christmas vodka cocktails! Here are 300+ cocktail recipes for every occasion:
- Classics: Try Classic Cocktails or Great Cocktail Recipes.
- Easy: These Easy Mixed Drinks and Cheap Drinks have just 2 to 3 ingredients.
- Fancy: Opt for the best in Craft Cocktails.
- The Big 5: Try all our cocktails with Gin, Vodka, Whiskey, Tequila or Rum.