10+ Christmas Cocktails Recipes to Enjoy This Holiday Season

Christmas is that time when everyone gathers for good food, laughter, and a little bit of sparkle. One way I love to add some cheer is by mixing up a few Christmas cocktails.

These drinks bring warmth and fun to your celebrations, making any holiday moment feel a little more magical.

If you’re into classic flavors or just want to experiment, Christmas cocktails have you covered. You might crave something cool and zesty or maybe a spiced drink that feels like a hug in a glass.

Trying new recipes can be a fun way to surprise your guests. There’s really something for everyone.

---

Ingredients
Depends on which cocktail you decide to make. No one-size-fits-all here.

Cooking Instructions
You’ll want to check the steps for each specific drink below.

1) Classic Eggnog

Eggnog is that creamy, spiced holiday drink that shows up at every proper Christmas. It’s made with eggs, milk, cream, and a good dash of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Bourbon or rum? That’s up to you. It’s a classic for a reason.

Making eggnog at home lets you tweak the sweetness and spice just how you like it. Using fresh egg yolks gives it that rich, velvety texture.

This recipe uses simple ingredients and a gentle cooking process. It’s a cozy treat for family and friends.

Ingredients

• 6 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 2 whole cloves
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 to 1 cup bourbon or rum (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk egg yolks and sugar until smooth.
2. Heat milk with cloves and cinnamon until almost boiling, then take it off the heat.
3. Slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture to temper it.
4. Put the mix back on the stove and cook gently until it thickens (about 160°F/71°C).
5. Fish out the cloves, let it cool, then stir in cream and nutmeg.
6. Chill before serving. Add bourbon or rum if you’re feeling festive.
7. Sprinkle nutmeg on top and serve.

2) Hot Buttered Rum

Hot buttered rum feels like a warm blanket on a cold night. You mix butter, brown sugar, and spices for a rich, sweet batter.

Add hot water and spiced rum, and you’ve got a drink that’s both simple and indulgent. The spices and warmth make it a holiday staple.

I like to serve it in a sturdy mug so it stays hot. It’s quick to make and always hits the spot.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• Pinch of cloves
• 1 cup hot water (about 130°F / 54°C)
• 3 tablespoons spiced rum
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a bowl until smooth.
2. Spoon 2 tablespoons of this batter into a heat-proof mug.
3. Add spiced rum.
4. Pour in hot water and stir.
5. Serve it up while it’s still steaming.

3) Boozy Hot Chocolate

Boozy hot chocolate is basically happiness in a mug. Pick your favorite liquor—peppermint schnapps, Baileys, whatever you love.

Heat milk and cream until it’s hot but not boiling. Then, stir in cocoa or chocolate until it’s smooth and dreamy.

Add your chosen alcohol for a festive twist. Top with whipped cream or a peppermint stick if you’re feeling extra.

This one’s great for parties or just curling up by the fire.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup peppermint schnapps (optional)
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips or cocoa powder
• Whipped cream (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat milk and cream in a pot over medium until steaming (about 160°F/71°C).
2. Whisk in chocolate chips or cocoa powder until melted and smooth.
3. Take it off the heat and stir in peppermint schnapps or your chosen booze.
4. Pour into mugs and pile on the whipped cream if you want.

4) Cranberry Ginger Mimosa

Need something for a holiday brunch? Cranberry Ginger Mimosa is bright, festive, and ridiculously easy.

It blends tart cranberry juice, spicy ginger beer, and sparkling wine. Garnish with frosted cranberries for a little extra flair.

Make sure everything is chilled before mixing. The balance of sweet, tart, and spice is spot on.

Ingredients

• 3 oz cranberry juice
• 2 oz ginger beer
• 4 oz sparkling wine (chilled)
• Ice cubes
• Frosted cranberries (optional garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add cranberry juice and ginger beer.
3. Slowly pour in sparkling wine to keep those bubbles.
4. Stir gently.
5. Garnish with frosted cranberries if you want.

Find the original recipe at Top Hat Provisions.

5) Naughty but Nice Cocktail (rye whiskey, orange juice, ginger syrup, cranberry juice)

The Naughty but Nice Cocktail is for those who want a drink that’s both bold and refreshing. Rye whiskey, fresh orange juice, and ginger syrup come together with cranberry juice for a festive kick.

Shake it with ice and pour into a glass, then toss in some fresh cranberries or an orange slice. Easy, right?

This one’s a nice pick if you want something a little stronger.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces rye whiskey
• 2 ounces orange juice
• 2 ounces ginger syrup
• 4 ounces cranberry juice
• Ice
• Orange slices and fresh cranberries for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add rye whiskey, orange juice, ginger syrup, and cranberry juice.
3. Shake until cold.
4. Strain into a glass over ice.
5. Garnish with orange slice and cranberries.

6) Santa Clausmopolitan with rosemary

Santa Clausmopolitan is a playful twist on the classic, with a hit of rosemary. The rosemary syrup brings a fresh, woodsy note that just feels right for the holidays.

Lemon juice, vodka, and club soda keep it light. Garnish with cranberries and a rosemary sprig for that festive look.

Making rosemary syrup is easy—just simmer rosemary with sugar and water. Mix everything over ice and top with club soda.

Ingredients

• Vodka
• Lemon juice
• Fresh rosemary simple syrup
• Club soda
• Fresh cranberries
• Rosemary sprig

Cooking Instructions

1. Simmer 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 3-4 rosemary sprigs for 5 minutes to make the syrup. Let it cool.
2. In a shaker, combine 2 oz vodka, 1 oz lemon juice, and 1 oz rosemary syrup with ice.
3. Shake until chilly.
4. Strain into a glass with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary.

7) Caramel Snickerdoodle Martini

Caramel Snickerdoodle Martini is for anyone with a sweet tooth. You get caramel and cinnamon flavors mixed with vodka and cream.

Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar for that snickerdoodle vibe. Whipped cream on top? Why not.

Use caramel or vanilla vodka and shake with heavy cream. Make sure it’s nice and cold before pouring.

Ingredients

• 2 oz caramel or vanilla vodka
• 1 oz heavy cream
• 1 tsp cinnamon sugar (plus extra for rimming)
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Ice

Cooking Instructions

1. Wet the rim of your glass and dip it in cinnamon sugar.
2. Fill a shaker with ice.
3. Add vodka, heavy cream, and 1 tsp cinnamon sugar.
4. Shake like you mean it.
5. Strain into the rimmed glass.
6. Top with whipped cream if you’re in the mood.

Check out the Caramel Snickerdoodle Martini recipe for more details.

8) Spiced Hot Toddy

Spiced hot toddy is perfect when you want something warm and soothing. Mix whiskey, honey, lemon juice, and hot water with a cinnamon stick for a cozy drink.

Garnish with a lemon slice or extra cinnamon if you like. It’s simple, comforting, and feels just right on a cold night.

Honey melts into the hot water, mellowing the whiskey and brightening up with lemon. The spices add a hint of holiday magic.

Ingredients

• 1 cup hot water
• 1.5 oz whiskey
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
• Lemon slice for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat water to about 140°F (60°C).
2. Pour hot water into a mug.
3. Add whiskey, honey, and lemon juice.
4. Stir until the honey dissolves.
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.

9) Coquito (Puerto Rican coconut rum drink)

Coquito’s a creamy, sweet drink from Puerto Rico. It’s made with coconut milk, rum, and warm spices—think cinnamon and nutmeg.

Honestly, it’s like eggnog took a vacation to the tropics. People love to share it at Christmas parties or family gatherings.

The texture’s smooth, and the flavor feels festive. Serve it chilled, or pour it over ice if that’s your thing.

Making Coquito doesn’t take much effort, but the taste feels pretty special. Coconut, rum, and those spices just work together, balancing sweet and spicy in a way that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients

• 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup white rum
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss all the ingredients in a blender or mixer.
2. Blend until it’s smooth and creamy.
3. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
4. Give it a good stir before pouring.
5. Pour over ice if you want, and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Check out this Coquito recipe for a bit more detail.

10) Winter Rye Cocktail

The Winter Rye Cocktail brings cozy vibes with warming spices—perfect for a cold night in. Rye whiskey mixes with bay leaf and pine, giving it a festive, slightly woodsy twist.

It’s easy to whip up, but the flavors run deep. This one’s ideal for sipping by the fire or sharing at a holiday party.

You get a unique taste that stands out from the usual holiday drinks. Want it sweeter or spicier? Just adjust to your liking.

Ingredients

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 1 bay leaf
• A small sprig of pine (edible or just for garnish)
• A few dashes of bitters
• Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions

1. Grab a glass and toss in some ice cubes.

2. Pour in the rye whiskey, then add the maple syrup and bitters.

3. Give everything a gentle stir—don’t overthink it.

4. Top it off with a bay leaf and a little pine sprig.

5. That’s it. Serve cold and enjoy.

For more ideas, take a peek at this Winter Rye Old Fashioned recipe.