Around the holiday season, I’m always looking for recipes to make. Baking, cooking, you name it! Moreover, what’s more festive than holiday inspired cocktails? For instance, I want more than just a hot toddy, classic cocktail with an orange slice, red wine or irish coffee drink. A festive spirit is exactly what I look for in Christmas drinks! Furthermore, holiday flavors make for some of the most delicious drinks. Specifically, when you think of holiday recipes, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking they need to have ginger or pumpkin in all of them, but that’s certainly not the case! Sometimes, it’s just in the garnishing or a dash of cinnamon spice !
Firstly, when it comes to making drinks for holiday gatherings, my mind immediately goes to okay, what looks the best? Everyone wants a drink that looks appetizing, but also looks great just sitting there. Secondly, the pretty drinks are key to holiday parties. I could do an entire post of glassware, because that could also have a lot to do with the presentation of the drinks, but these drinks stand on their own, garnish and glasses aside- they really are easy on the eyes.
Furthermore, finding a cocktail for everyone to enjoy this season has been fun- vodka, tequila, spicy, dairy-free, you name what you’re looking for, and I’ve got it in this list! For instance, I thought I had a preference when it came to cocktails, but after putting this list of recipes together, I really think I would enjoy all of them! Refreshing, sweet, or tangy, I’m ready to try all of these.
What’s better than a holiday themed eggnog cocktail?!
Ingredients
1/2 C almond nog- I bought the 365
1 Oz Bourbon
Sprinkle of Cinnamon
1 Cinnamon Stick
Directions
Mix ingredients. Add ice, sprinkle cinnamon and stir. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
What screams holidays more than cranberries? Mimosas are a classic drink that are a crowd favorite, but the cranberry twist to make this holiday inspired, is the perfect finishing touch.
Ingredients
1 lime, halved
2 tbsp. sugar
1 c. sweetened cranberry juice
1 bottle champagne
12 fresh cranberries
4 small sprigs fresh rosemary
Directions
- Line champagne flutes with lime and dip in sugar. Pour 1/4 cup cranberry juice into each glass and top with champagne.
- Use a toothpick to poke a hole through cranberries. Thread rosemary skewer through cranberries and garnish mimosas.
I love a good Chai Latte, but a spiked one around the holidays sounds like a little slice of heaven, to me!
Ingredients
1 ½ oz Bourbon Cream
2 oz Coffee Liqueur
½ oz Chai Simple Syrup
½ oz Maple Syrup
Directions
Shake all ingredients over ice and dump into rocks glass. Garnish with 3 (or more!) coffee beans.
This one has some cooking instructions, but I promise, it’s easy and quick!
Ingredients
10 allspice berries
10 whole cloves
3 star anise pods
3 cinnamon sticks
1 750 ml bottle dry red wine*
½ cup water
¼ cup maple syrup or honey
¼ cup brandy or Cognac
1 small orange, for garnish
Directions
Add the spices to the bottom of a pot (or to a skillet for Slow Cooker or Instant Pot). Toast over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
Turn the heat to low. Add the water, then pour in the wine and maple syrup and stir. Warm for 30 minutes on low heat, just barely bubbling. Do not let the wine come to a full simmer (or the liquid will reduce too much).
When ready to serve, stir in the brandy or Cognac and the juice from 1 orange. Garnish with orange slices and if desired, rosemary sprigs.
Gingerbread is a classic holiday flavor. It embodies the entirety of Christmas!
Ingredients
1 tbsp. cinnamon sugar
1 c. eggnog
1 c. vodka
1 c. Kahlúa
2 tbsp. molasses, plus more for drizzling
Pinch ground ginger
Whipped cream, for topping
Directions
Wet rims of four cocktail glasses and dip in cinnamon sugar.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add eggnog, vodka, Kahlúa, molasses, and ginger and shake to combine.
Pour into rimmed glasses. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with molasses before serving.
Everyone out there who loves bourbon will really enjoy this one! And the maple flavor is such a great addition!
Ingredients
Directions
Set aside 1 lemon slice. Muddle bourbon, sage, maple syrup, lemon juice, and remaining lemon slices in a cocktail shaker to release flavors. Fill shaker with ice cubes. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a highball glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with reserved lemon slice.
Peppermint can add the most refreshing taste to any recipe you put it in. This festive cocktail is sure to spice up your holiday party.
Ingredients
1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1/4 c. crushed candy canes
6 oz. white chocolate liqueur
4 oz. vodka
2 oz. peppermint schnapps
2 tbsp. heavy cream
Directions
Pour melted chocolate onto a shallow plate, and place crushed candy canes on another shallow plate. Dip rims of martini glasses first in chocolate, then in candy canes. Pour remaining chocolate into the bottom of glasses and swirl to coat the bottom ⅓ of glasses with chocolate. Place glasses in freezer while you prepare the drink.
Combine white chocolate liqueur, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker. Fill to the top with ice and shake until cold. Divide drink between 3 glasses and garnish with a candy cane before serving.
Sangria is the perfect drink for a party, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like it!
Ingredients
1 Bottle of White Wine
2 Cups of Apple Cider
1/2 Cup of Salted Caramel or Caramel Vodka
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Apple Sliced or Chopped
1 Sliced Orange
1/2 Cup of Frozen Cranberries
Directions
In a large pitcher add cinnamon, apples, oranges and cranberries.
Pour white wine, apple cider and vodka into your pitcher and stir.
Refrigerate for an hour or longer and enjoy!
All of the whiskey fans out there, this one is for you!
Ingredients
For candied ginger:
1/4 lb. ginger, peeled and sliced into 1/8″ coins
Approx. 1/4 lb sugar (about 1/2 cup and 1 tbsp)
For cocktail:
Toothpick
Directions
For candied ginger:
- In a medium saucepan bring, enough water to cover ginger to a boil. Add ginger and reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer for 30 to 35 minutes or until the ginger is tender and slightly pliable. Strain ginger, reserving 1 tbsp of water.
- Wipe the medium saucepan dry, then add cooked ginger, reserved cooking liquid, and enough sugar that equals the weight of the cooked ginger. Bring ginger to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low. Stir frequently to keep any sugar from burning.
- Allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid has totally evaporated and the sugar begins to crystalize on the ginger pieces. Move ginger piece to a parchment lined baking and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container and it should keep for a few months.
For cocktail:
Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add whiskey then ginger ale. Garnish the rim with a lime wheel. Thread the candied ginger pieces onto a toothpick then stick the end of the toothpick into the lime and serve.
This drink is so so yummy and pretty, you’re guests won’t believe you whipped it together in a few minutes!
Ingredients
Directions
Pour enough ginger beer into a saucer to cover and dip a martini glass into the saucer to coat the rim. Dip into a saucer with ground cookie. Scoop ice into shaker. Pour ginger juice, rum and cinnamon schnapps into a shaker. Add a pinch of ground cloves. Separate an egg and add egg white to shaker. Shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds until drink is frothy and foamy. The longer you shake, the foamier the drink. Add ginger beer and stir slightly. Pour into glass.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick and crystallized ginger square, and sprinkle the top with finely ground gingerbread cookie.
How could I not include a margarita in this drink roundup?! This one is so wintery and inviting!
Ingredients
1 (14-oz.) can unsweetened coconut milk
12 oz. silver tequila
8 oz. triple sec
1/4 c. lime juice
4 c. ice
Lime wedge, for rimming glass
Sanding sugar, for rimming glass
Cranberries, for garnish
Directions
Combine coconut milk, tequila, triple sec, lime juice and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Rim glasses with lime wedge and dip in sanding sugar. Pour into glass and garnish with lime and cranberries.
This drink is the definition of pretty and perfect for any holiday gathering!
Ingredients
Ice
6 oz of Pompette Grapefruit Bergamot
1oz of Vodka
1 oz of fresh lime juice
3 oz of ginger beer
Fresh grapefruit
Rosemary
Directions
Fill glass halfway with ice
Pour 6 oz of Pompette Grapefruit Bergamot
Add 1 oz of vodka
Add 1 oz of fresh lime juice
Top it off with 3 oz of ginger beer
Add a squeeze of fresh Grapefruit
Stir
Garnish your glass with a slice of Grapefruit and sprig of Rosemary
Serving Size: 1
What are your favorite festive cocktails?
This post was originally published December 13th, 2021*
