Festive and Simple Christmas Cocktails to Celebrate the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, there's nothing quite like settling in with a delightful Christmas cocktail to help you relax after a busy day. Whether you’re winding down from holiday prep or just want to add some festive cheer to your evening, festive cocktails offer the perfect way to soak up the spirit of the season.

We've gathered fifteen wonderful Christmas cocktail recipes from some of the most popular brands, ensuring there's something for everyone. Whether you prefer spiced, fruity, or bubbly drinks, the options range from the warmly comforting spiced cranberry paloma to the sparkling elegance of the fig jam fizz designed for the Prosecco lovers among us.

Whether you're curling up on the couch with a snug, spicy drink or hosting a festive gathering where you want your drinks as stunning as the decor, these recipes have got your back. And if you're looking to enjoy the festive flavors without any alcohol, there are delicious non-alcoholic alternatives included as well to keep the holiday spirit intact for everyone.

If you enjoy the classic bramble, you're going to love this winter makeover called the Snow Bramble, inspired by a luxury rum brand. To make one serving, you'll need 50ml of your chosen rum, 10ml of vanilla syrup, 20ml fresh lime juice, and 15ml of mulled wine liqueur or cordial. Simply combine all ingredients except for the cordial in a tumbler, add crushed ice, and stir well. Then, add extra crushed ice and gently pour the cordial on top. Finish it off with a fresh blackberry and a twist of orange peel for a cozy, seasonal treat.

The Paloma is typically associated with sunny days, but this version flips the script with a spiced cranberry paloma perfect for cooler weather. Using Recuerdo mezcal, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and a special spiced syrup, shaken and served over ice with soda water, this cocktail embraces festive flavors with a smoky, tart twist. The spiced syrup blends sugar, water, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and vanilla—perfect for adding warmth and complexity.

You can't have Christmas without eggnog, right? The English Frost Eggnog recipe offers a beautifully spiced rendition using a classic whisky brand, whole milk (or a plant-based alternative such as Oatly Barista Edition), vanilla syrup, Pedro Ximénez sherry, an egg yolk, cardamom, and a pinch of saline solution. Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a sturdy glass, and sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg on top. It's the ultimate cozy drink for those relaxing, festive movie nights in.

For those who love fruit-forward cocktails, the Blackberry Sake Gimlet combines savory and sweet elements beautifully. Using Samurai Sake with elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice, rosemary, and fresh blackberries, this cocktail is muddled and shaken before being served in a chilled gimlet glass garnished with a rosemary sprig and juicy blackberries. It’s light, fresh, and perfectly festive.

The Gingerbread Espresso Martini brings a holiday spin to the much-loved coffee cocktail. Using vodka or whisky, espresso concentrate, salted caramel vodka, and homemade gingerbread syrup, this drink delivers familiar Christmas flavors with a caffeinated kick. Don’t forget to chill your martini glass beforehand and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg to complete the holiday vibe.

If you're gearing up for a party and want something lively, the Sparkling Cosmo hailing from a famous Prosecco brand is a sparkling celebration in a glass. A mix of premium vodka, Cointreau, cranberry syrup, lime juice, topped generously with Prosecco, gives you a bubbly yet vibrant cocktail, garnished with a lemon wedge that adds a zesty brightness to the sweet and tart profile.

Reinvent the classic Snowball with a tropical twist using coconut-flavored tequila. Combining tequila, Advocaat, fresh lime juice, lemonade, and garnished with desiccated coconut and a dried lime wheel, the Coconut Snowball brings a fun, creamy texture paired with a burst of citrusy lemonade—great for those who want something playful and refreshing during the colder months.

The Winter Old Fashioned is a smoky and spiced take on the timeless cocktail. By incorporating a winter syrup made with cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, demerara sugar, and water, this drink adds seasonal depth to the traditional bourbon and bitters combo. Stirred with ice and finished with a smoldering cinnamon stick, it’s a comforting sipper that suits quiet nights or post-dinner relaxation.

For an elegant nod to times gone by, the Charlie Chaplin cocktail combines sloe gin, apricot brandy, and lime juice, stirred over ice and garnished with lime slices. This retro recipe brings a little classic glam to your festive gatherings with its balance of sweetness and citrus tang.

The Figgy Fizz offers an inventive use of fig jam, paired with a fine spirit, Cointreau, lemon juice, soda water, and Prosecco to create a sparkling spritz that’s both sweet and sophisticated. Whether served at a small gathering or holiday dinner, it’s a delightful alternative for those looking to try something a bit different that still feels very Christmas.

The Christmas Cranberry Sparkle cocktail is perfect for those who love their drinks bright, crisp, and full of holiday cheer. Made with London Dry gin or vodka, cranberry juice, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary, this cocktail is topped with soda water for a refreshing finish that’s ideal as a pre-dinner drink or lightweight refreshment.

Cider and mezcal find a delicious winter pairing in the Cider and Mezcal Margarita. This variation on a classic margarita swaps the usual lime for apple cider and mezcal, along with orange liqueur, with the added magic of a cinnamon-sugar-salt rim. Served with fresh apple slices, it offers a sweet, smoky, and tangy taste that’s perfect for festive parties.

The Blancmange cocktail is a dessert-in-a-glass, combining cognac, almond milk, maple syrup, and Prosecco, topped with a Maraschino cherry. This creamy, slightly nutty drink marries sophistication and indulgence, making it an excellent choice for those who want a bit of sweetness combined with a luxurious feel.

A Holly Cosmo takes the traditional cosmopolitan and gives it a festive makeover by substituting vodka with gin, adding almond syrup, cranberry juice, lime, and a rosemary sprig for garnish. This cocktail is a quick, easy, and elegant way to add some holiday cheer to any occasion.

The Espresso Mint-tini incorporates peppermint with a robust coffee flavor, ideal for coffee lovers who want a holiday twist. Using a base of coffee liqueur like Kahlua, espresso concentrate or cold brew, vodka, simple syrup, and a drop or two of peppermint extract, it’s shaken well and served garnished with a mini candy cane. This little festive indulgence mixes caffeine with minty freshness to keep you energized and festive.

The Alpine Negroni transports you to a cozy après-ski lodge with a blend of herbal and bitter notes. Crafted with Savoia Americano Amaro, Mondino Amaro, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice, this cocktail is mixed and strained over ice with a garnish of dehydrated orange for added aroma and visual appeal. It’s complex, refreshing, and perfect for those who appreciate sophisticated flavors.

If you’re in search of a sour cocktail with a seasonal twist, the Spiced Pear Cocktail brings the taste of autumn and winter together beautifully. Using a spirit such as whisky, lemon juice, pear syrup made from simmered pears and warm spices like star anise and cinnamon, and an egg white for a velvety finish, this cocktail is shaken in two stages and garnished with star anise. Its blend of tartness and spice makes it ideal for chilly nights when you want to feel wrapped in warm flavors.

The Cranberry Margarita puts a festive spin on the margarita with cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, cinnamon syrup, and a salted cinnamon sugar rim. This combination offers a sweet and salty flavor profile that’s bright, indulgent, and perfect for holiday parties or a festive night in.

Switch up your usual mimosas on Christmas morning with the tangy and refreshing White Bloody Mary. Prepared using a clear tomato consommé made from ripe tomatoes and celery, blended and strained carefully, then mixed with La Tomato liqueur, apple juice, lemon juice, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce, this cocktail delivers a savory and aromatic experience to complement your holiday brunch.

Finally, the Winter Pimm’s celebrates the season by transforming the classic summertime Pimm’s drink into a wintry delight with additions of triple sec, ginger ale, and Prosecco, garnished with orange slices, cinnamon, and rosemary. This cocktail is easy to create and fantastic for those looking for a vibrant, layered flavor that feels both familiar and fresh during the colder months.