No matter what the holiday season looks like for your family, one thing’s for sure: You’ll needlibations. These 63 holiday cocktails are seasonal, simple and worthy of celebration, whether you’re adding them to yourChristmasorNew Year’s Evemenu. Below, you’ll find everything fromsparklingdrinks tocrowd-pleasing punch bowls to hot spiked cocktails to keep the party going. (And if you’re unsure of what to serve with one of these drinks, try one of our 67 easyChristmas dinner ideason for size.)
63 Holiday Cocktails to Sip from Christmas through New Year’s Eve
1.Ruby Vermouth Spritzers
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:red vermouth
Summer doesn't have dibs on spritzers. This one got a wintry makeover, courtesy of sweet redvermouth,grapefruitand rosemary.
2.Cranberry-Mint Holiday Punch
- Time Commitment:1 hour and 40 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
Serving a crowd doesn’t get any easier. This punch is a refreshing-yet-powerful combo ofvodka, orange liqueur andsparkling wine.
4.Ruby Red Cherry Sangria
- Time Commitment:2 hours and 10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:wine
Psst: We have an ingenious plan for that leftover bottle of summerroséin your fridge.
5.Tequila-Spiked Horchata
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:tequila
Almond milk and a dash of coffee liqueur give this traditionalLatin drinka grown-up spin.
6.Slow Cooker Spiked Cinnamon Lattes
- Time Commitment:3 hours and 5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
We’ll never grow tired ofCrockpotcocktails, since they save us from standing over the stove for who knows how long.
7.Mulled Wine Sangria
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:wine
The wintersangriaof your dreams. Cinnamon sticks, cloves and brandy add spice and warmth to fresh orange.
8.Hot Buttered Rum
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:rum
So decadent and delicious that you’ll almost forget all abouthot cocoa. Almost.
9.Charred Citrus Margarita
- Time Commitment:30 minutes
- Main Alcohol:tequila
One of our favorite ways to take full advantage of citrus season. (BTW, if you need help buying aquality bottle of tequila, we're here to help.)
10.Spiced Persimmon Old Fashioned
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:whiskey
Persimmonsare sort of like the underdogs of winter. Maybe you never tried one, but their unique flavor fits the season like a glove.
11.Slow Cooker Cranberry Hot Toddy
- Time Commitment:4 hours and 5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:rum
Brandy and spiced rum take over for traditional bourbonwhiskey.
12.Mulled Cider
- Time Commitment:30 minutes
- Main Alcohol:rum
If you’ve never tried your hand athomemade apple cider, you’re in for a real treat. Spike it with rum, whiskey, vodka or applejack.
13.Classic Eggnog
- Time Commitment:1 hour and 35 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
The hardest thing about making your owneggnogis waiting for it to chill before helping yourself to a glass.
14.Easy Cranberry Moscow Mule
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
Tart-sweetcranberryjuice can hold its own against fresh lime juice and spicy ginger beer.
15.Blood Orange Shandy
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- MainAlcohol:beer
Zhuzh up your favorite pilsner or hefeweizen with simple syrup and freshly squeezedblood orangejuice. 'Tis the season, no?
16.Christmas Old Fashioned
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- MainAlcohol:bourbon
完成maple-cardamom糖浆和糖cranberry garnish. Even better, it's easy to prepare for a crowd if need be.
17.Peppermint Cream Martini
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
Is itreallyholiday happy hour without a bottle ofpeppermint杜松子酒在聚会上?Rim和碎玻璃peppermint candies.
18.Spiced Orange Gin & Tonic
- Time Commitment:25 minutes
- Main Alcohol:gin
Crisp, refreshing and herbaceous, thisgincocktail is everything we love about citrus season. Roll the rosemary sprigs in sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
19.Peanut Butter Cocktail
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:cream liqueur
Think of this rich libation as a liquidpeanut buttercup. Swap vanilla vodka out forpeanut butter whiskeyif you'd prefer.
20.Adult Hot Chocolate
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
The secret to this sipper isIrish creamFrangelico,柔滑的阴霾lnut liqueur.
21.Cinnamon Bourbon Old Fashioned with Brûléed Oranges
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
Top any drink with torched citrus fruit and let theoohsandahhsroll in. Don't forget the rosemary-infused cinnamon simple syrup.
22.Cranberry Margarita
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:tequila
Cranberry juice’s natural tartness make it a great substitute for sour ormargarita mix.
23.Baileys Eggnog Latte
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:Irish cream
Even the whipped cream is infused with Irish cream. Serve with a dusting of nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.
24.Cranberry Apple Sangria
- Time Commitment:4 hours and 50 minutes
- Main Alcohol:wine
It’s your spice rack’s time to shine. We're talking cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and star anise.
25.Bourbon-Ginger Cider Cocktails
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
Think of it as a whiskey mule that just spent the day at an apple orchard.
26.Pomegranate Ginger Apple Cider Punch
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:sparkling wine
Finish them off withpomegranatearils and thin-sliced Pink Ladyapplesto wow your guests.
27.Caramel Apple Old Fashioned
- Time Commitment:30 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
Starring homemade apple cidercaramel, which you’ll definitely want to drink straight from the saucepan. (In case you want to make your ownapple ciderfor it...)
28.Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
Go the extra mile by squeezing your ownblood orangeandclementinejuices—it'll be well worth the effort.
29.Pumpkin Pie Smash Cocktail
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
The syrup, made withpumpkin puréeandpumpkin pie spice, comes together on the stovetop in minutes.
30.The Santa Claus Smash
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
From the ginger-honey syrup to the freshmint, this cocktail is fit for St. Nick himself.
31.Spiced Apple Margaritas
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:tequila
Our favorite part is the sweet-and-salty cinnamon rim, hands down.
32.Maple Whiskey Sour
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:whiskey
We had no idea a cocktail this chic was hiding in our pantry. You're only five ingredients away.
33.Cranberry Bourbon Sour
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
Want to go the extra mile? Candied rosemary sprigs are an elegant garnish that’s shockingly simple to make.
34.Ciderhouse Pear Cocktail
- Time Commitment:2 hours and 40 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
The recipe calls for your favorite bourbon, but we’re betting spiced rum orvanillavodka would taste amazing, too.
35.Blood Orange Ginger White Sangria
- Time Commitment:4 hours and 5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:wine
Bet you’ve never thought of putting kumquats in your cocktail before, huh? You can thank us later.
36.Vanilla Chai Tea White Russian
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
It all starts with concentrated chai syrup that’s bursting with warm winter spices.
37.Cranberry-Spiced Whiskey Sour
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
You’ve heard of latte art, but have you ever seen an Angostura bitters heart drawn in frothy egg white?
38.Spicy Pomegranate Moscow Mule
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
Ginger beer for spice, slicedjalapeñosfor heat and citrus juices to balance them out.
40.Jingle Bell Cranberry Paloma
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:tequila
A few spoons of leftoverThanksgiving cranberry saucego a long way. Top each glass with sugared cranberries to drive the theme home.
41.Mulled White Wine
- Time Commitment:20 minutes
- Main Alcohol:wine
Mulled wine is typically made withred vino, but we’re not complaining about this white wine alternative. Go for sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio.
42.Pomegranate Orange Champagne Cocktail
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:Champagne
Because the end of 2022 calls for the fanciest drink in your arsenal. Bring on thebubbly.
43.Spiced Cranberry-Pear WhiskeyCocktail
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:whiskey
Your favorite rye meets tart cranberry syrup and spiced pear liqueur. Call it a Christmas miracle.
45.Caramel Apple Hot Toddy
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
Honeycrisp apple syrup puts this warm-and-cozy bev over the top.
46.Buddy The Elf Cocktail
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
Meet the most festive drinkable dessert you’ll ever lay eyes on. We’re talking candy canes,marshmallows,gingerbreadcookies andallthe chocolate.
47.Cranberry Mimosa
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:sparkling wine
We know what we’re sipping while opening gifts on Christmas morning. Might we suggest pairing it with a killerbrunchspread?
48.Boozy Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:coffee liqueur
Choose Kahlúa, bourbon or no spirit at all for the grown-ups. Your kids will love it virgin.
49.Frothy Whipped Coffee White Russian
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
Dalgona coffee, all grown up. Might we suggest using vanilla-flavored vodka?
50.Honeycrisp Bourbon Spiced Cider
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
The recipe calls for a *ton* of whole spices, plus fresh ginger.
51.Pear and Cranberry Champagne Cocktails
- Time Commitment:1 hour and 50 minutes
- Main Alcohol:Champagne
This five-ingredient beauty is ready to usher you into thenew yearcome midnight.
52.Pomegranate and Orange Punch
- Time Commitment:4 hours and 20 minutes
- Main Alcohol:sparkling wine
Festive ice cubes with pomegranate seeds and mint leaves add an extra wow factor.
53.Sparkling Apple Sangria
- Time Commitment:2 hours and 10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:wine
Think of this holiday cocktail as sparkling apple juice…for adults. The best part is snacking on the wine-soaked apple slices as you drink.
54.Apple Cinnamon Moscow Mule
- Time Commitment:15 minutes
- Main Alcohol:vodka
The recipe calls for vodka, but we're bettingcinnamon威士忌一样好。奖金分using homemadeapple cider.
55.Grapefruit White Wine Spritzer
- Time Commitment:5 minutes
- Main Alcohol:wine
Citrus season has never looked so elegant. The key here is pairing tartgrapefruitvodka with a sweetwhite wine, like moscato or riesling.
56.Holiday Cheermeister Bourbon Punch
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
File this under How to Serve Eight in Ten Minutes. Dump all six ingredients in a punch bowl or large pitcher so your guests can serve themselves.
57.Hot Buttered Bourbon
- Time Commitment:30 minutes
- Main Alcohol:bourbon
Winter's chill is no match forthis soul-warming cocktail. It starts with a buttered brown sugar-maple batter that pairs just as beautifully with spiced rum as it does bourbon.
61.Frozen Cranberry Daiquiris
- Time Commitment:35 minutes (plus freezing time)
- Main Alcohol:rum
Because it's never too cold out for afrozen cocktail. Silver rum stars in this lime-kissed bev, made with vibrant cranberry syrup.
62.Maple Ginger Hot Toddy
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:Scotch or whiskey
If you don't havegingertea on hand, use black tea with extra spices or opt for chai tea instead. Scotch or whiskey work best here, but you could also use spiced rum.
63.Kahlúa Hot Chocolate
- Time Commitment:10 minutes
- Main Alcohol:coffee liqueur
Any cocktail topped with mini marshmallows, chocolate syrup and salted caramel is our kind of nightcap. Feel free to make it boozier by adding crème de cacao or Baileys.
Taryn Pireis PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram@cookingwithpire.