23 Simple Christmas Cocktails You Can Make From Home

You’ve had a successful Christmas without any fuss, and now you’ve wrapped up for another year, there’s nothing better than a refreshing and exciting cocktail to cap off the big day or that Christmas party that everyone is going to remember for a while to come.

You might be looking for a bit of spice or something cozy to warm yourself with, and you might be surprised at the options that are sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.

In this article, we’ll present 23 simple recipe ideas that are sure to get you all jolly and could even inspire you to create something of your own invention.

We can’t guarantee that everyone will like it, but these ideas will surely give you loads of ideas that might be worth the effort.

23 Of The Best Cocktails You Can Make This Christmas

1. Christmas Cosmos

Not only does this cocktail sound amazing, but it is easy to make as all you need is Vodka, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice.

It not only looks classy, and the cranberry juice blend gives you a balanced flavor.

2. Bloody Mary

This cocktail is an addition to an after-dinner cocktail or a late evening indulgence.

All you need is fresh lemon juice, horse radish, tabasco or any other hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, celery seeds (see also ‘What Makes Celery Seeds Amazing, And 5 Substitutes You Can Use‘), 8 small pepperoncini peppers, tomato juice, Vodka, and celery salt for finishing touches. 

3. Bourbon Hot Chocolate

What a way to warm up this season with hot cocoa, a boozy twist, and a traditional touch of marshmallows and cinnamon sticks for good measure.

All you need is unsweetened cocoa powder, some sugar, whole milk, crushed cinnamon sticks, chocolate chips, a cup of bourbon or rye, and toasted marshmallows for serving.

4. Vanilla-Citrus-Honey Sangria

Here you have a sipper that can is in season all year due to its refreshing taste and citrus look that will go down well with everyone.

All you need is fresh orange juice, two sliced oranges, some honey, 1 vanilla bean, and a wine of your choice. 

5. Apple Cider Cocktail

The cider syrup replaces your regular sugar to create a lovely winter flavour that can warm you up this holiday season.

All you need is some apple cider, cider syrup, 3 dashes of bitters, some bourbon, and a thick strip of orange peel. 

6. Ginger-Sage Cocktail

This cocktail is an excellent complement to when you want to sit back and watch a movie, with a sweet herbal flavor that perfectly wraps up your Christmas festivities.

All you need is freshly sliced ginger, some fresh sage, sugar and a bit of water, some rye, lemon juice, ginger-sage syrup, some maraschino liqueur, and some fresh sage for serving.

7. Mulled Wine

This classic beverage has the taste that brings your festivities to life and is great at parties where you can have it simmering while you please your guests.

All you need is two bottles of your chosen wine, 1 cinnamon stick, some grated nutmeg, some brandy, 2 oranges, 7 cloves, some sugar, and a vanilla pod.

8. Eggnog

We couldn’t leave out this classic Christmas staple that is one of the most popular beverages for the Christmas season amongst Americans, and it’s easy to see why.

All you need is 2 eggs separated, a cup of divided sugar, a cup of whole milk, some heavy cream, a cup of rum or bourbon or brandy, and some grated nutmeg for a garnish.

9. Maple Whiskey

If you’re looking for something more substantial this season, why not go for a citrus-blended bourbon that has a naturally sweet flavor, in case you didn’t get your fix of candy this Christmas.

All you need is a bit of bourbon whiskey (see also ‘30 Must-Try Whiskey Cocktails For Any Occasion‘), some fresh lemon juice, some fresh lime juice, a bit of orange juice, some maple syrup, some orange bitters, and a citrus wedge for serving.

10. Christmas Gin Cocktail

This one is for the gin lovers of your life, and giving the drink a proper shake in your mixer will ensure a nice creamy layer of egg white.

All you need is some gin, lemon juice, orange juice, Campari, caster sugar, egg white, ice, some nutmeg, and an orange peel or cherry for a garnish.

11. Baileys Cocktail

If you have a bottle of baileys (see also ‘23 Delicious Baileys Cocktails‘) lying around, you can turn it into a festive cocktail that is bound to please those with a sweet tooth.

All you need is some Baileys (see also ‘Does Baileys Irish Cream Go Bad?‘), coffee liqueur, some vodka, double cream, and some chocolate shavings for a splendid garnish.

12. Christmas Mocktail

If you want a beverage that everyone can enjoy this Christmas, you can try this non-alcoholic orange and rosemary fizz that even the kids will enjoy.

All you need is 2 large wedges of orange, some rosemary, some soda water, some pomegranate seeds, and a stick of cinnamon to serve with it.

13. Chai White Russian

The colder winter months call for something warmer, so why not spice it up this Christmas with a bit of chai in this lovely coffee cocktail.

You’ll need some cooled chai-tea infused milk, some vodka, some coffee liqueur, and some ice to make those spices tingle your taste buds.

14. Christmas Mojito

If you’re looking at an after-dinner cocktail (see also ‘28 Warming Cocktails For Fall‘), you could try this jammy cocktail, which can refresh and have a dessert taste if you’re still not satisfied after that cheesecake or pudding.

All you need is some marmalade, some dark rum, 1 mandarin plus 1 slice, 1-star anise, and some ice or tonic water to serve it with.

15. Old-fashioned Cocktail

Perhaps you’re not a fan of sweeter-tasting cocktails and want something simple, great for those late-night festivities and times when you want just to unwind.

All you need is some sugar, 1 orange zest, 3 dashes bitters, some rye or bourbon, and some ice cubes, and then you’re all set.

16. Ramos Gin Fizz

If you want something that truly embraces the cold snow vibes that are associated with the season, you can serve this frothy and foamy-looking cocktail that is sure to grab the attention of your guests.

All you need is some gin, 1 egg white, some lemon juice, some lime juice, a bit of heavy cream, some simple syrup, 3 drops of orange blossom water, and some club soda.

17. Blood Orange Spritz

Known as a summer drink, you can add a seasonal twist as you can replace the orange juice with blood orange juice to give it a crimson glow that is likely going to be the centerpiece of any celebrations.

All you need is some blood orange juice, some Aperol, some sparkling wine, and a blood orange twist, or peel, for serving it and giving it a refreshing look.

18. Christmas Cake Martini

If you want a classy-looking cocktail (see also our favorite pink cocktails) that takes inspiration from the classic Christmas cake, you don’t want to overlook this one, and it has a potent yet zingy taste.

All you need is some whiskey, almond-flavored sugar syrup, some cherry brandy, cognac, lime juice, a cherry and ground cinnamon to serve it with.

19. Chocolate Porter Flip

If you got some rum lying around, you could use it as part of a classic recipe which you can serve hot or cold and can be served at any mood or time of day.

All you need is some opened meantime chocolate porter, some dark rum, some sugar syrup, 1 egg, and some grated nutmeg to really give this beverage a desert look.

20. Cranberry Punch

If you are looking for something for a party or large gathering this Christmas, you can try a fruity and fizzy assortment that is likely going to be the center of attention.

All you need is some fresh or frozen cranberries, 3 clementine’s that are thinly sliced, some cranberry juice cocktail, some gin, fresh clementine juice, and some sparkling white wine.

21. White Russian Cocktail

You can use these cocktails as a great alternative to any trouble you have to go through to make a pudding, and they can be used in shot glasses or tumblers, whatever type of Christmas party you throw.

All you need is some ice, Vodka, some kahlúa, and some single cream, and you can serve them immediately, so the look and flavor are kept intact.

22. Grinch Punch

A simple yet daring punch option, you can make this a no-fuss and straightforward recipe that you can mix in a punch bowl, and you’re on your way.

All you need is some packet Kool-Aid lemon-lime mix, some water, ice, lemon-lime soda, pineapple juice, Vodka, ginger ale, and lime wedges for rimming.

Based on the classic Christmas story, you can make your parties especially naughty in the Christmas season.

23. Mai Tai Cocktail

We can accept that not everyone wants to celebrate with traditional seasonal cocktails, so a Mai tai cocktail might be the quick and easy alternative you’re looking for, with twist you can add just for the occasion if you want to keep things in line maybe.

All you need is some pineapple juice, orange juice, dark rum, Amaretto, and some crushed ice and you can use sparkling water instead if you’re looking for a non-alcoholic alternative.

Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Can I Drink After Christmas Dinner?

There isn’t a rule of thumb that you have to follow here, as it depends on what you and your dinner guests find satisfying after a heavy meal.

Some popular cocktails include Christmas pudding vodka, Christmas negroni, mulled wine, a manhattan, or even a simple cranberry punch that you can leave for people to serve themselves.

You can also use tangy oranges, pineapples, or clementines to give it a cheerful look, but the main point is that you can offer some variety for people who have particular tastes and tolerances.

Should I Drink On Christmas Day?

It depends on the company you have and what other commitments you have on the day, so you might want to take it easy if you decide you want to take the family out for a walk or something that requires your concentration.

Of course, it’s fine to unwind with a cocktail or two, but you want to make sure you’re drinking in moderation, as you don’t want a preventable accident to ruin your day.

If it’s for a party, then you have some freedom in what you serve, but be mindful that some people may not be able to process heavy liquor as well as others, so that moderation can play a significant role in the success of your party over the Christmas period.

Final Thoughts

Here are some fantastic ideas that are likely to spark excitement into any event you hold over Christmas, with options that can serve adults, as well as some mocktails that are great for kids and designated drivers.

Of course, you want to make sure that you plan ahead with some of these recipes as you don’t want to make any last-minute shopping trips that can see you waiting in queues, which can add to the stress that you already have.

If you have some of these ingredients lying around, then even better!