10 Christmas Cocktails You’ll Need This Holiday Season

Whether you’re hosting a big bash, keeping it low-key with the fam, or just treating yourself after wrapping presents till your fingers hurt, these will make your season merrier. And bonus: most are stupid-easy to whip up, no fancy bartender skills required.

Who’s ready to shake, stir, and sip their way through December? Let’s get into it.

1. Peppermint White Russian – The Dessert-That-Drink

Picture this: creamy, minty, boozy goodness that tastes like a candy cane got lost in a coffee shop. This one’s my go-to when I want something sweet but not too sweet. It’s basically a White Russian dressed up for the holidays—irresistible.

Ingredients (makes 1):

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
• 1 oz peppermint schnapps (or crème de menthe for extra festivity)
• 2 oz heavy cream (or half-and-half if you’re feeling lighter)
• Crushed candy canes for the rim
• Fresh mint sprig for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Rim your glass with crushed candy cane (dip rim in a bit of schnapps first to make it stick—pro move).
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Pour in vodka, coffee liqueur, and peppermint schnapps.
4. Top with heavy cream and stir gently (or not—layered looks pretty).
5. Garnish with a mint sprig and maybe an extra candy cane stirrer.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s dangerously drinkable and feels like cheating on calories (but hey, ’tis the season). I once made a batch for a cookie swa,p and people fought over the last one—true story. If peppermint isn’t your vibe, swap for hazelnut liqueur and call it a Nutcracker special.

2. Classic Eggnog (Spiked, Obviously)

Eggnog haters, hear me out—this homemade version blows the store-bought stuff out of the water. Rich, spiced, and boozy enough to make Aunt Karen loosen up.

Ingredients (makes about 8 servings):

• 6 large eggs, separated
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup bourbon (or rum, or both—live a little)
• 1/2 cup cognac or brandy
• 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Beat egg yolks with sugar until thick and pale.
2. Slowly whisk in milk, cream, bourbon, cognac, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
3. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites to stiff peaks, then fold them in gently.
4. Chill for at least 1 hour (or overnight for max flavor).
5. Serve over ice or straight up, dusted with extra nutmeg.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s creamy, comforting, and packs a sneaky punch. I always add a splash more bourbon because why not? If raw eggs freak you out, use pasteurized or skip the whites for a simpler (but still delish) version.

Don’t forget these lovely recipes: 10 Christmas Desserts So Good They’ll Steal the Spotlight From the Tree

3. Cranberry Moscow Mule – Tart, Fizzy, and Ridiculously Pretty

Ginger beer + cranberry = holiday magic in copper mug form. This one’s refreshing enough to cut through a heavy Christmas dinner.

Ingredients (makes 1):

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail)
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 4–6 oz ginger beer
• Fresh cranberries and a lime wedge for garnish
• Rosemary sprig (optional, but makes it look Insta-worthy)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug (or glass) with ice.
2. Pour in vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir lightly.
4. Garnish with cranberries, lime, and rosemary.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s bright red, bubbly, and not too sweet—perfect balance. I swap vodka for gin sometimes, and it’s even better IMO. Who doesn’t love a mule that doubles as decor?

4. Gingerbread White Russian – Cookie in Cocktail Form

If you love gingerbread cookies (and who doesn’t?), this creamy twist on the White Russian will have you hooked.

Ingredients (makes 1):

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz Irish cream (like Baileys)
• 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup (or mix molasses + ginger + cinnamon)
• Crushed gingersnaps for rim
• Whipped cream and a gingerbread cookie for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Rim glass with crushed gingersnaps.
2. Add ice, then vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and gingerbread syrup.
3. Stir well.
4. Top with whipped cream and a mini cookie.

Why You’ll Love It: Tastes exactly like dunking a gingerbread man in milk—spicy, sweet, cozy. I made these for a holiday movie night,t and we barely made it to the credits.

5. Mistletoe Margarita – Tequila Meets Holiday Spice

A tart, festive marg that screams “party!” but feels fancy.

Ingredients (makes 1):

• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup infused with rosemary (or regular + fresh rosemary)
• Salt or sugar rim with green sanding sugar
• Lime wheel and cranberries

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Rim glass with salt/sugar mix.

2. Shake tequila, triple sec, lime, cranberry, and syrup with ice.
3. Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish away.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s green-tinted fun (thanks to rosemary) and cuts through rich foods like a champ. Tequila fans, this one’s for you.

6. Hot Buttered Rum – Cozy Blanket in a Mug

Warm, spiced, buttery—pure winter comfort.

Ingredients (makes 1):

• 2 oz dark rum
• 1 tbsp softened butter
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• Pinch each cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
• Hot water
• Cinnamon stick

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. In a mug, mix butter, sugar, and spices.
2. Pour in rum.
3. Top with hot water and stir till dissolved.
4. Add a cinnamon stick.

Why You’ll Love It Feels like a hug from the inside. Batch the butter mix ahead—genius for drop-ins.

7. White Christmas Martini – Snowy and Sophisticated

Coconutty, vanilla dream—looks like fresh snow.

Ingredients (makes 1):

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz white chocolate liqueur
• 1 oz coconut cream
• Shredded coconut for rim
• White chocolate shavings

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Rim with coconut.
2. Shake all liquids with ice.
3. Strain into a glass.
4. Garnish with chocolate.

Why You’ll Love It: Dessert vibes without the guilt (sort of). So pretty on a buffet table.

8. Coquito – Puerto Rican Eggnog Vibes

Creamy, coconutty, spiced—tropical Christmas twist.

Ingredients (makes ~6–8):

• 1 can of evaporated milk
• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 1 cup rum
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch nutmeg

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Blend everything.
2. Chill 4+ hours.
3. Serve cold with cinnamon.

Why You’ll Love It: Lighter than eggnog but just as festive. I add extra rum—don’t judge.

9. Christmas Morning Mimosa – Brunch Hero

Bubbly, cranberry, orange—perfect for unwrapping gifts.

Ingredients (makes 1):

• 3 oz champagne/prosecco
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• Sugared cranberries

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Pour juices into a flute.
2. Top with bubbly.
3. Garnish.

Why You’ll Love It: Easy, pretty, and dangerously refreshing at 10 a.m.

10. Mulled Wine – Classic European Glow

Spiced red wine that’s warm and aromatic.

Ingredients (makes 6–8):

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup honey
• Orange slices
• Cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Simmer everything (don’t boil).
2. Strain and serve hot.

Why You’ll Love It: Makes the house smell amazing. Add brandy for an extra kick.