12 Most Delicious Christmas Cocktails To Brighten The Holiday Season

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, prefer gin or beer, or plan to sip on a new kind of wine each night in the days leading up to Christmas, this is a guide you don’t want to miss.

And, not to worry, we also have some alcohol-free Christmas cocktail ideas for those who are going to keep the “been good all year” character. 

1. Eggnog for December 26th – A Simple Christmas Cocktail

Eggnog is the easiest Christmas cocktail to make, and it works great for a lot of people. Even the picky ones. Eggnog is safe, it’s simple, and you needn’t be a bartender to pull it off.

A glass of homemade eggnog is luscious, creamy, and will make you crave Christmas every time you remember it.

There are many variations to the original eggnog recipe to choose from, including big-batch and quick, single-serve eggnogs, even nonalcoholic and vegan versions. We recommend trying out a sophisticated Christmas eggnog with amaretto.

The perfect eggnog recipe.

Ingredients:

• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ground cinnamon, for topping

Instructions:

Use a medium bowl. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light and creamy. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cream, milk, nutmeg and salt. Stir often until mixture reaches a bare simmer.

Add a big spoonful of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat, adding a big spoonful at a time, to “dissolve” the eggs. 

Once most of the hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove. Whisk constantly for just a few minutes, until the mixture is just slightly thickened. 

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the eggnog into a pitcher or other container and cover with plastic wrap to avoid crust formation.

Refrigerate until chilled. It will thicken more, as it cools. If you want a thinner consistency, add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend well until smooth.

Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon, or fresh whipped cream, if desired. This homemade eggnog can be stored in the fridge for up to one week.

2. Hot Buttered Rum for December 27th – Spicy Warm-Up

Hot buttered rum may be the most comforting of holiday drinks. It is warm, spicy, and buttery smooth, with a rum core that’s very hard to resist.

This is an easy Christmas drink you can enjoy on your own or with friends, and the recipe is unbelievably simple.

Just imagine making up a large batch of the butter rum Christmas cocktail, and sipping it throughout the night; Sweet, spicy, and warm – it does not get much better for relaxing after a long winter day.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch salt
• 3/4 cup spiced rum
• 2 cups boiling water
• 4 sticks cinnamon, for garnish

Let’s make it together!

Beat the brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl until blended and smooth. Divide the mixture into mugs. Add the rum and then 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until the butter mixture dissolves. Garnish with the cinnamon sticks and serve to enjoy.

3. Thanksgiving Punch For December 28th – Non-Alcoholic Version

Here’s some juice that our non-alcohol-drinking palls can enjoy throughout the holiday season. Despite the name of our third-place-the-charm cocktail is a fusion of cinnamon and oranges. 

And what says Christmas more than that!

A burst of cinnamon and orange make this easy holiday cocktail both cozy and refreshing, and since it does not contain any alcohol at all – it can be enjoyed anytime (of the day, and year). 

Our easy Christmas punch has a base of apple cider, red orange juice, and sparkling grape juice, all brightened up with fresh orange slices and cranberry. 

Serve this refreshing Christmas cocktail in martini glasses, and garnish them with a slice of orange. 

Now, since it is New Years, and if you enjoy this combination of flavors but still need a little “push” – spike your portion with a splash of rum or tequila. It will transform this from mocktail to cocktail.

Ingredients:

• Apple Cider
• Cranberry Cocktail Juice
• Orange Juice, no pulp
• Cinnamon sticks, we like to strengthen it with 2 sticks, but if you like less cinnamon just use one stick
• Ginger Ale Soda, 1 liter
• Cranberries, Orange slices, apple slices (most desired garnish) 

How to make it?

Combine apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, and cinnamon sticks in a pitcher. Let it chill well, and then add ginger ale soda.

Put apple slices, orange slices, and fresh cranberries (for a really festive feeling) in another pitch, and then pour the watery mixture over. Stir well and pour chilled in your favorite glasses.

4. Mulled Wine For December 29th – Fun With The Variations

Traditional Swedish Glogg, Christmas Bishop, Polish traditional Christmas beverage mixed with spices and fruits… Mulled wine is the most popular, and most commonly prepared of Christmas cocktails – EVER.

Summer lovers may rave about the delicate taste of sangria, but nothing depicts love and coziness like mulled wine.

Winter wins every time with its mulled magic that will, without a doubt, keep you warm and in a good mood to enjoy the holidays.

Now, how to make one of the most popular yet easy Christmas cocktails?

Take a bottle of red wine, add a hint of brandy, choose some holiday spices (that will quickly fill your home with the Christmas spirit), and simmer for an hour.

Mulled wine is the perfect Christmas cocktail to whip up after a long day on the slopes, or anytime your group needs a little comfort while sitting by the fire.

Here is our favorite mulled wine recipe.

Ingredients:

• Wine (Go for Merlot)
• Brandy
• Fresh oranges:
• Cinnamon
• Mulling spices (or just gather anise, cardamom and cloves)
• Sweetener (to taste)

Hot to make the best mulled wine?

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and give them a quick stir. You don’t have to be precise with ounces. Make a nice broth of it all. Heat over medium-high heat until the wine almost reaches a simmer. Strain and serve warm in heatproof mugs, topped with your favorite garnishes.

Whiskey Drinkers Fave Christmas Cocktails

Next Christmas cocktails are ideal for someone that prefers whisky over anything.

If you have put a lot of effort into creating a great Christmas feast, it’s only appropriate to serve it alongside the best dinner drinks. And whiskey is an impressive apéritif that simply goes with everything.

Actually, whiskey Christmas cocktails are the ones that everyone will love because they come with extraordinary notes to spice up the night. Starting from vanilla, honey caramel, rum, lemon, and all the fine deluxe flavors.

5. 30th of December is Reserved for Hot Toddies

Save an array of aromatics for the end of the month. Hot Toddies are ideal and easy Christmas cocktails to relax after a long day. Start with your choice of whiskey (or brandy, dark rum), add a little splash of black tea for a soothing taste, and finish it with a bit of honey and vanilla.

Ingredients:

• Boiling water, to fill a mug
• 4 cloves
• 1 lemon peel or wheel
• 2 teaspoons demerara sugar or brown sugar
• 1/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 ounces whiskey (bourbon, rye, Irish or scotch)

How to make this easy Christmas cocktail?

Fill a mug with boiling water and let stand for a minute or two. Stick the cloves into the lemon peel or wheel and set aside. Empty the mug and fill about halfway with fresh boiling water. Add sugar and stir to melt it. Add the lemon peel/ wheel. Add the lemon juice and whiskey. Stir.

What About The Gin Kind Of Hot Toddy For Christmas?

While most “toddies” prefer dark spirits, the hot gin toddy offers an intoxicating array of aromatics. 

Hot gin toddy is one of the popular Christmas drinks because it gives new life to a great gin’s botanicals. Simply exchange the whisky for gin and enhance the sweetness of lemon in water.

6. Sneaky Pete for December 31st – A White Russian Twist

If you are someone that enjoys a white Russian, but you want something with a little more dimension for a Christmas drink, give the Sneaky Pete a try. 

Rather than vodka, pour a shot of rye whiskey into your milk. This will give the creamy coffee-flavored drink a warm, spiced background. Can you name a more iconic way to celebrate January 1? 

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce coffee liqueur
• 1 ounce ​rye whiskey
• 4 ounces milk or 2 ounces cream

How to make it?

Pour the coffee liqueur into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes. Add the whiskey and milk. Stir well.