Christmas is a time for festive gatherings and merry celebrations. What better way to add cheer to your holiday parties than with some delicious Christmas drinks?
From warm, spiced concoctions to cool, refreshing cocktails, there’s a beverage for every taste and occasion.
These 15 Christmas drink recipes will help you create the perfect holiday mood for your guests. You’ll find classic favorites and creative new twists to suit different preferences.
Whether you’re looking for alcoholic or non-alcoholic options, these drinks are sure to impress and delight everyone at your holiday events.
Eggnog is a holiday classic that’s perfect for Christmas celebrations. This creamy, spiced drink is easy to make at home.
You’ll need eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.
For adults, add rum, brandy, or bourbon to create a festive cocktail. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, simply leave out the spirits.
You can also find store-bought eggnog to save time. Use it as a base for quick cocktails by adding your favorite liquor and a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.
Try serving your eggnog in festive mugs or glasses. It’s a great drink to enjoy while decorating the tree or opening presents on Christmas morning.
Mulled wine is a festive favorite that warms you from the inside out. To make it, pour red wine into a pot with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
Add some honey or sugar for sweetness. Heat the mixture gently on the stove, but don’t let it boil.
Simmer for about 10-30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
For extra warmth, you can add a splash of brandy. Serve the mulled wine hot in mugs. Garnish with orange slices and cinnamon sticks for a pretty touch.
This spiced drink is perfect for holiday gatherings. It fills your home with cozy aromas and brings cheer to cold winter nights.
This festive twist on a classic Moscow Mule adds cranberry juice for a tart, fruity flavor. To make it, you’ll need vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and ginger beer.
Fill a copper mug with ice. Pour in 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of cranberry juice, and a splash of lime juice. Top it off with ginger beer and give it a quick stir.
For garnish, add a few fresh cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, and a lime wedge. The red and green colors make it perfect for Christmas gatherings.
This drink is easy to customize. You can adjust the cranberry juice to make it sweeter or more tart to suit your taste.
This festive cocktail brings the flavors of gingerbread to your glass. You’ll need vodka, Irish cream, and gingerbread syrup as the main ingredients.
To make it, fill a shaker with ice and add the liquors and syrup. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds to chill the drink thoroughly.
Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. For an extra special touch, rim the glass with crushed gingerbread cookies before pouring.
You can garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of gingerbread crumbs on top. Serve alongside gingerbread cookies for a perfect holiday pairing.
Christmas punch is a festive drink that brings joy to holiday gatherings. You can make it with cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and lemon-lime soda for a sweet and fruity flavor.
Add fresh cranberries and orange slices as garnish to make it look merry and bright. This non-alcoholic version is perfect for guests of all ages.
For a grown-up twist, try adding rum or gin to the mix. You can also experiment with white grape juice, seltzer, and lime juice for a bubbly alternative.
The Poinsettia is a festive champagne cocktail perfect for Christmas gatherings. It’s easy to make and has a beautiful red color.
To create this drink, you’ll need cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and champagne. Chill a champagne flute in the freezer for a few minutes.
Mix cranberry juice and orange liqueur in a shaker with ice. Strain the mixture into your chilled glass. Top it off with champagne, pouring slowly to avoid overflow.
Garnish your Poinsettia with fresh cranberries and a small rosemary sprig for a festive touch. This refreshing cocktail is sure to be a hit at your holiday party.
Spiked apple cider is a warm, comforting drink perfect for holiday gatherings. To make it, you’ll need apple cider, spices, and your choice of alcohol.
Start by heating apple cider in a pot with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
For each serving, add 1 ounce of brandy, whiskey, or rum to a mug. Pour in the hot spiced cider and stir gently.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick or apple slice if you’d like. This drink can be made ahead in batches to save time when hosting parties.
Irish Coffee is a classic holiday drink that warms you up on cold winter nights. It’s a simple mix of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and topped with cream.
To make it, brew some strong coffee and stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Add a shot of Irish whiskey and gently pour lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon to float on top.
The hot coffee and whiskey provide a cozy warmth, while the cream adds richness.
It’s perfect for sipping by the fire or serving after Christmas dinner. You can garnish with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon for extra festive flair.
This festive twist on a classic mojito brings holiday cheer to your glass. You’ll need white rum, coconut milk, lime juice, and fresh mint leaves.
Start by muddling mint leaves with sugar and lime juice in a glass. This releases the mint’s essential oils for maximum flavor.
Fill the glass halfway with ice. In a separate container, mix white rum and coconut milk. Pour this mixture over the ice and stir well.
Top off your drink with a splash of sparkling water for some fizz. Garnish with extra mint leaves and pomegranate seeds for a pop of color.
The result is a creamy, minty cocktail that’s perfect for sipping by the Christmas tree. It’s sure to become a holiday favorite.
Ingredients for Christmas Drinks
Christmas drinks use festive ingredients to create seasonal flavors. Spices, fruits, and spirits combine to make special holiday cocktails and mocktails.
Spices and Herbs
Cinnamon sticks add warmth to hot drinks. You can use them to stir or as a garnish. Ground cinnamon works well for dusting drinks. Nutmeg brings a cozy flavor to eggnog and other creamy cocktails. Grate it fresh for the best taste.
Star anise gives a licorice note to mulled wine. Its pretty shape makes a nice garnish too. Cloves add spicy depth to hot toddies and ciders. Use them whole or ground.
Fresh mint brightens up mojitos and hot chocolate. Rosemary sprigs make festive stirrers for gin-based drinks. Their piney scent matches the season.
Fruits and Juices
Cranberries bring tartness and a festive red color. Use them fresh, frozen, or as juice in cocktails. Pomegranate seeds make drinks sparkle. They also add a burst of flavor when you bite them.
Orange slices or zest go well in mulled wine and cider. The citrus cuts through sweet flavors. Lemon juice balances drinks and adds brightness. It’s key in hot toddies and sours.
Apple cider is perfect for warm winter punches. It mixes well with spices and spirits. Pear nectar gives a smooth, sweet base to vodka or gin drinks.
For non-alcoholic options, try sparkling grape juice. It looks fancy in a champagne flute. Ginger beer adds spice and fizz to Moscow mules and other cocktails.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Drinks
Making great holiday drinks takes skill and attention to detail. These tips will help you create festive cocktails your guests will love.
Balancing Flavors
Use fresh ingredients for the best taste. Mix sweet and tart flavors to create depth.
A splash of citrus juice can brighten up heavy drinks. Don’t overdo the alcohol – you want to taste the other flavors too.
Try pairing flavors that go well together. Cinnamon and apple are a classic combo.
Cranberry and orange also work nicely. Taste as you go and adjust if needed.
Sweet drinks can be too much. Balance them with a bit of bitterness from bitters or tonic water. This makes drinks more interesting.
Presentation Tips
Garnishes make drinks look festive. Use cranberries, orange slices, or cinnamon sticks.
Rim glasses with colored sugar for a fun touch. Pick glasses that match your drink’s style.
Chill glasses before serving. This keeps drinks cold longer.
Use clear ice cubes to show off colorful drinks. Large ice cubes melt slower than small ones.
Make batches of drinks ahead of time. This lets you enjoy the party too.
Set up a drink station with pre-mixed options. Include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices.
Healthier Alternatives
Want to enjoy festive drinks without the extra calories? Try these healthier swaps for your Christmas beverages.
Replace sugary sodas with sparkling water and a splash of 100% fruit juice.
This cuts down on added sugars while still giving you a bubbly treat.
Swap heavy cream for low-fat milk or plant-based alternatives in your eggnog.
You’ll get the same creamy texture with fewer calories and less saturated fat.
Use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar.
These options add flavor and sweetness with some extra nutrients.
Try fruit purees as a base for mocktails.
Blend fresh or frozen berries for a vibrant, nutrient-packed drink without artificial colors or flavors.
Spice up your hot chocolate with cinnamon, nutmeg, or peppermint extract.
These add festive flavors without extra sugar or calories.
Make a green tea “sangria” with fresh fruit for a antioxidant-rich, alcohol-free option.
It’s refreshing and packed with health benefits.
Use whole fruits in your drinks instead of just juice.
You’ll get more fiber and nutrients, plus a fun garnish for your glass.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
