10+ Christmas Drinks Alcohol Recipes to Warm Up Your Holiday Celebrations

Many of us love adding a little extra cheer to holiday gatherings with festive drinks. Christmas drinks with alcohol can really warm up your celebrations and help you create some special memories with friends and family.

If you want to make your own holiday drinks, having a few easy, tasty recipes up your sleeve can help you impress guests or just enjoy a cozy night in. Mixing classic flavors with seasonal twists? That’s what makes Christmas drinks extra fun.

1) Classic Eggnog

Classic eggnog—now that’s a holiday staple. It’s creamy, comforting, and blends eggs, milk, and cream with a little bourbon or rum for that festive kick.

You can skip the alcohol if you want something family-friendly. A little nutmeg or cinnamon on top makes it smell and taste even better.

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 to 1 cup bourbon or rum (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ground nutmeg or cinnamon for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat eggs and sugar together until smooth.
2. Slowly add milk and cream while stirring.
3. Heat the mixture gently to 160°F (71°C), stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla and bourbon or rum, if using.
5. Chill in the fridge before serving.
6. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon.

2) Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Buttered Rum is basically a warm hug in a mug. You mix spiced rum with a blend of butter, sugar, and classic holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Start by making a buttered rum batter, then add it to a mug with a shot of rum. Pour in hot water and stir until everything melts together.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of spiced rum (2 oz)
• 1 heaping spoonful of buttered rum batter
• ½ cup hot water
• Buttered rum batter: butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (to taste)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to make your batter.
2. Put 1 shot (2 oz) of spiced rum in a mug.
3. Add 1 spoonful of the batter.
4. Pour in ½ cup hot water (about 140°F or 60°C).
5. Stir until the batter is melted and the drink is smooth.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

Check out this Hot Buttered Rum recipe for more details.

3) Boozy Hot Chocolate

Boozy hot chocolate is just what you want on a snowy night. You can spike it with rum, vodka, or Irish cream—whatever suits your mood.

Start by making rich, creamy hot chocolate. Then, stir in your favorite liquor.

Try rimming your mug with crushed brownies or peppermint for a fun twist. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup rum, vodka, or Bailey’s Irish Cream
• Whipped cream for topping
• Brownie crumbs or peppermint for rim (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat milk in a pot over medium heat (about 160°F or 70°C).
2. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until smooth.
3. Add chocolate chips and stir until melted.
4. Remove from heat and stir in alcohol.
5. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream.
6. Optional: Dip rims in brownie crumbs or crushed peppermint before pouring.

4) Cranberry Ginger Mimosa

The Cranberry Ginger Mimosa is light, bubbly, and just the right amount of festive. You mix cranberry juice with the spicy snap of ginger beer, then top it off with Champagne.

Pour the ingredients over ice, stir gently, and you’re done. It’s a drink that looks as good as it tastes—especially in a Champagne flute.

Ingredients

• 2 oz ginger beer
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 4 oz Champagne or sparkling wine

Cooking Instructions

1. Chill your ginger beer, cranberry juice, and Champagne.
2. Add ginger beer and cranberry juice to a glass.
3. Slowly top with chilled Champagne.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Here’s a Cranberry-Ginger Mimosa cocktail if you want to see the full recipe.

5) White Cranberry Cosmopolitan

White Cranberry Cosmopolitan gives the classic cosmo a wintery spin. Swapping in white cranberry juice makes it lighter and a bit more tart.

Mix in vodka, fresh lime juice, and a splash of Cointreau or triple sec. Shake it up and pour into a chilled martini glass.

Frozen cranberries make a cute garnish, if you’re feeling fancy.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka, chilled
• 1 oz white cranberry juice, chilled
• 0.5 oz Cointreau or triple sec
• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
• Frozen cranberries (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Chill your martini glass in the fridge or freezer.
2. In a shaker, add vodka, white cranberry juice, Cointreau, and lime juice.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well for about 15 seconds.
4. Strain the mix into your chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a few frozen cranberries if you like.

6) Yule Mule

The Yule Mule is like a Moscow Mule, but with a holiday twist. Cranberry juice and fresh rosemary make it feel extra seasonal.

You get a refreshing mix of vodka, lime, ginger beer, and a hint of tart cranberry.

Garnish with cranberries and rosemary for a festive touch. This drink comes together quickly and works for parties or just a quiet night by the fire.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz vodka
• 4 oz ginger beer
• ⅔ cup cranberry juice
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cranberries for garnish
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Cooking Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice over ice.
3. Top with ginger beer.
4. Stir gently to mix.
5. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig.

7) Sugar Cookie Martini

Sugar Cookie Martini really tastes like dessert in a glass. Vanilla vodka, Irish cream, and amaretto come together for a sweet, smooth drink.

Rim your glass with sugar for extra sparkle. This cocktail is easy to shake up and feels both cozy and festive.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces vanilla vodka
• 1 ounce Irish cream liqueur
• 1 ounce amaretto
• ½ cup milk or half-and-half
• Powdered sugar for rimming glass
• Ice

Cooking Instructions

1. Rim your glass with powdered sugar.
2. Add vodka, Irish cream, amaretto, and milk to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and close the lid.
4. Shake for at least 15 seconds.
5. Strain into your sugar-rimmed glass.
6. Serve cold and enjoy.

8) Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a classic for a reason. You heat red wine with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise.

Add orange slices for a fresh, zesty kick. A splash of brandy or apple cider adds warmth and depth.

Simmer gently—don’t let it boil—or you’ll lose the good stuff. This drink fills your home with a festive scent and really helps you unwind on a cold night.

Ingredients

• 2 bottles red wine
• 1 orange, sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 star anise
• 1 piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup brandy (optional)
• 1/4 cup apple cider (optional)
• 1/4 cup sugar or honey

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour wine into a large pot or slow cooker.
2. Add spices, ginger, orange slices, and sugar.
3. Heat on low to medium, warming to about 160°F (70°C).
4. Simmer gently for 20-30 minutes without boiling.
5. Stir in brandy and apple cider if using.
6. Strain spices and serve warm.

Need a little more guidance? Check out WellPlated’s mulled wine recipe for tips and tricks.

9) Jingle Juice Holiday Punch

Jingle Juice is a super simple punch that’s just fun to throw together for any holiday party. It’s fruity, fizzy, and kind of irresistible.

Grab a bottle of whipped vodka, some pink champagne or sparkling Rosé, and a big bottle of Cherry 7-up. Mix them up and you’ve got a refreshing drink that’ll have your friends asking for refills.

You only need a few ingredients and a couple of minutes—no fancy steps. Just stir everything in a big bowl or a drink dispenser.

Toss in frozen cranberries or a few sprigs of fresh mint if you want it to look extra festive. Those little touches add a surprising pop of flavor too.

If you’re feeling adventurous, swap in some red wine, Prosecco, or whatever juice you like best. There’s really no wrong way to do it.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle whipped vodka
• 1 bottle pink champagne or sparkling Rosé
• 2-liter bottle Cherry 7-up
• Optional: frozen cranberries, fresh mint leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour whipped vodka, pink champagne, and Cherry 7-up into a large punch bowl.
2. Stir gently to mix all ingredients together.
3. Add frozen cranberries and mint leaves if desired.
4. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes (about 35°F / 2°C) before serving.
5. Serve cold and enjoy!

For more details, check the Easy Jingle Juice Holiday Punch recipe.

10) Spicy Sweet Holiday Storm

If you like your holiday drinks with a bit of fire, this one might be your new favorite. It’s got cranberry juice, vodka, and a splash of St. Germain elderflower liqueur.

You’ll notice a sweet, tangy flavor with a little heat thanks to jalapeño honey syrup. Ginger beer brings in that fizzy, spicy finish that keeps things interesting.

Making the syrup isn’t hard—just simmer some sliced jalapeños with honey and fresh ginger. Add a little lemon juice for a bright, tart kick.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup cranberry juice
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1/2 ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• Jalapeño honey syrup (see below)
• Ginger beer
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Jalapeño honey syrup:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1-2 jalapeños, sliced
• 6 slices fresh ginger

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss honey, jalapeños, and ginger into a small saucepan.

2. Warm the mixture over low heat until the honey loosens up and you can smell the ginger—usually takes 5-7 minutes. Take it off the heat and let it cool down.

3. Grab a glass. Pour in cranberry juice, vodka, St. Germain, that jalapeño honey syrup, and a splash of lemon juice.

4. Stir everything together.

5. Top it off with ginger beer.

6. Want it cold? Toss in some ice. If you’re feeling fancy, add a jalapeño slice or a few cranberries on top.

If you like things spicy, go wild with the jalapeño syrup—or pull back if you want it milder.

For a different spin on this, maybe peek at the Spicy Sweet Holiday Storm Cocktail recipe.