49 Holiday Cocktails to Sip for Christmas through New Year’s Eve
No matter what the holiday season looks like for your family, one thing’s for sure: You’ll need libations. These 49 holiday cocktails are seasonal, simple and worthy of celebration, whether you’re adding it to your Christmas or New Year’s Eve menu. Below, you'll find everything from sparkling drinks to crowd-pleasing punch bowls to hot spiked cocktails and everything in-between to keep the party going during the holidays. Need ideas for what to serve with one of these drink recipes? How about one of these 62 easy Christmas dinner ideas?
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1. Ruby Vermouth Spritzers
Why should summer have all the fun? This spritzer got a wintry makeover, courtesy of sweet red vermouth, grapefruit and rosemary.
2. Cranberry-Mint Holiday Punch
Serving a crowd doesn’t get any easier. This punch is a refreshing-yet-powerful combo of vodka, orange liqueur and sparkling wine.
3. Chai Hot Toddy
Warm your bones with rum and chai tea spices, like cinnamon and ginger.
4. Ruby Red Cherry Sangria
Psst: We have just the plan for that leftover bottle of summer rosé in your fridge.
5. Tequila Spiked Horchata
Almond milk and a dash of coffee liqueur give this traditional Latin drink a grown-up spin.
6. Slow-Cooker Spiked Cinnamon Lattes
We’ll never grow tired of Crock-Pot cocktails, since they space us from standing over the stove for who knows how long.
7. Mulled Wine Sangria
Cinnamon sticks, cloves and brandy add spice and warmth to fresh orange.
8. Hot Buttered Rum
So decadent and delicious that you’ll almost forget all about hot cocoa. Almost.
9. Charred Citrus Margarita
File this recipe under Ways to Take Full Advantage of Citrus Season.
10. Spiced Persimmon Old Fashioned
Persimmons are sort of like the underdogs of winter. Maybe you never tried one, but their unique flavor fits the season like a glove.
11. Slow-Cooker Cranberry Hot Toddy
Brandy and spiced rum take over for traditional bourbon whiskey.
12. Mulled Cider
If you’ve never tried your hand at homemade apple cider, you’re in for a real treat.
13. Classic Eggnog
The hardest thing about making your own eggnog is waiting for it to chill before helping yourself to a glass.
14. Easy Cranberry Moscow Mule
Tart-sweet cranberry juice can hold its own against fresh lime juice and spicy ginger beer.
15. Adult Hot Chocolate
The secret to this sipper is Frangelico, a silky hazelnut liqueur.
16. Cinnamon Bourbon Old Fashioned
Homemade cinnamon syrup and brûléed orange slices will make your relatives think you hired a mixologist for the party.
17. Cranberry Margarita
Cranberry juice’s sour notes make it a great substitute for sour or margarita mix.
20. Bourbon-Ginger Cider Cocktails
Think of it as a whiskey mule that just spent the day at an apple orchard.
21. Pomegranate Ginger Apple Cider Punch
Finish them off with pomegranate arils and thin-sliced Pink Lady apples.
22. Caramel Apple Old Fashioned
Starring homemade apple cider caramel, which you’ll definitely want to drink straight from the saucepan.
23. Spiked Eggnog Italian Soda
A famous summer sipper gets a Christmas makeover. Instead of being made with straight-up eggnog, the recipe calls for Italian eggnog syrup.
24. Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail
Go the extra mile by squeezing your own blood orange and clementine juice.
25. Pumpkin Pie Smash Cocktail
The syrup, made with pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice, comes together on the stovetop in minutes.
26. The Santa Claus Smash
From the ginger-honey syrup to the fresh mint, this cocktail is fit for St. Nick himself.
27. Spiced Apple Margaritas
Our favorite part is the sweet-and-salty cinnamon rim, hands down.
29. Cranberry Bourbon Sour
Want to go the extra mile? Candied rosemary sprigs are an elegant garnish that’s shockingly simple to make.
30. Ciderhouse Pear Cocktail
The recipe calls for your favorite bourbon, but we’re betting spiced rum or vanilla vodka would taste amazing, too.
31. Blood Orange Ginger White Sangria
Bet you’ve never thought of putting kumquats in your cocktail before, huh?
32. Vanilla Chai Tea White Russian
It all starts with concentrated chai syrup that’s bursting with warm winter spices.
33. Cranberry-Spiced Whiskey Sour
You’ve heard of latte art, but have you ever seen an angostura heart drawn in frothy egg white?
35. Apple Cider Mojito
Fresh mint and chopped red apples create a natural Christmas-inspired color scheme.
36. Jingle Bell Cranberry Paloma
A few spoons of leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce go a long way. Top each glass with sugared cranberries.
37. Mulled White Wine
Mulled wine is typically made with red vino, but we’re not complaining about this white wine alternative. Try using Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
38. Pomegranate Orange Champagne Cocktail
Because the end of 2020 calls for the fanciest drink in your arsenal.
39. Spiced Cranberry-Pear Bourbon Cocktail
Your favorite rye meets tart cranberry syrup and spiced pear liqueur.
40. Apple Cider Spritz
Love Campari in your negroni? Aperol is like a sweet, less boozy version of the aperitif.
41. Caramel Apple Hot Toddy
Honeycrisp apple syrup puts this warm-and-cozy bev over the top.
42. Buddy the Elf Cocktail
Meet the most festive drinkable dessert you’ll ever lay eyes on. We’re talking candy canes, marshmallows, gingerbread cookies and all the chocolate.
43. Cranberry Mimosa
We know what we’re sipping while opening gifts on Christmas morning.
44. Boozy Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate
Choose Kahlúa, bourbon or no spirit at all—your kids will love it plain.
45. Frothy Whipped Coffee White Russian
Dalgona coffee, all grown up. Might we suggest using vanilla-flavored vodka?
46. Honeycrisp Bourbon Spiced Cider
The recipe calls for a *ton* of whole spices, plus fresh ginger.
47. Pear and Cranberry Champagne Cocktails
This five-ingredient beauty is ready to usher you into the new year come midnight.
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48. POMEGRANATE AND ORANGE PUNCH
Festive ice cubes with pomegranate seeds and mint leaves add an extra wow-factor.
49. SPARKLING APPLE SANGRIA
Think of this holiday cocktail like a sparkling apple juice…for adults.