50 Holiday Cocktails To Put Some Extra Cheer In Your Season

Your Christmas trees and menorahs aren't the only thing getting lit this season!

New! You can now save recipes. It's free!
sugar cookie martini
Emily hlavac green

After all the frantic holiday baking, gift shopping, and travel, we'll gladly take any opportunity to kick back by the fire with a deliciously festive holiday cocktail. Whether you're in the mood for classic eggnog, a warming hot toddy, or a sugar cookie martini as a sweet nightcap, you'll find that we've got a cocktail for everyone. So go ahead and add a whole lot of extra cheer with these festive cocktail recipes! Let's just say, your Christmas tree, Kwanzaa kinara, and Hanukkah menorah aren't the only things getting lit this season. 😉

Holiday parties deserve a fun signature cocktail, and our recipes for Christmosas and Jingle Juice more than do the trick. The secret? These punches are beyond easy to make in big batches, which means you don't have to play bartender all night and everyone is guaranteed to have a glass in hand until you call them a cab home.

Hoping Santa will restock your home bar for Christmas? Whether you're looking for the best bottles of bubbly, vodka, rum, or tequila, we've reviewed all the best liquors around to help you refine your home bartending skills in the new year.

For even more Christmas party cocktail ideas, try these classic cocktails every home bartender should know, holiday punch recipes, and hot cocktails. And if you're serving cocktails, snacks will absolutely be required to keep the party going! Check out our best last-minute appetizers, and make-ahead appetizers, or our favorite puff pastry appetizers if you're feeling fancy.

sugar cookie martinis
Emily hlavac green
1 of 50
Sugar Cookie Martinis

Our version of this festive favorite features Baileys and whole milk to give it that rich creaminess, along with vanilla vodka and Amaretto for that sugar cookie vibe, and... a tiny candy cane-shaped sugar cookie hanging off the rim. We suggest pre-made cookie dough and frosting for our cocktail décor—use seasonal favorites to enjoy this year-round!

Get the Sugar Cookie Martinis recipe.

white christmas margaritas
Emily Hlavac Green
2 of 50
White Christmas Margaritas

Want to switch up your usual holiday cocktail? Try this coconut- and lime-flavored margarita on for size! This will guarantee a white Christmas this year.

Get the White Christmas Margaritas recipe.

classic eggnog  delishcom
Emily Hlavac Green
3 of 50
Classic Eggnog

Eggnog is the type of drink that people either love or really really hate. It's rich, creamy, and, well, egg-y. We fall into the camp of people who love it (like, really really love it), and we're serving it cold or hot all winter long.

Get the Classic Eggnog recipe.

jingle juice
Emily hlavac green
4 of 50
Jingle Juice

You'll be hearing jingle bells in no time with this sweet-tart big-batch cocktail. We love a punch at the holidays as it cuts down on bartending time and they're maybe a little too easy to mix up!

Get the Jingle Juice recipe.

peppermintini delish
Brad Holland
5 of 50
Peppermintinis

Peppermint bark fans, meet your match. If you're feeling EXTRA, pair it with our other favorite holiday treat, pretzel peppermint bark. We won't judge.

Get the Peppermintinis recipe.

tiramisu white russians
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM
6 of 50
Tiramisu White Russians

Somewhere between cocktail and dessert, this Italian-influenced White Russian is hard to resist. Looking for a festive upgrade? A dash of orange bitters, a pinch of ground cinnamon, or some fresh nutmeg shavings add another dimension to this decadent drink.

Get the Tiramisu White Russians recipe.

7 of 50
Christmosas

Packed with all our favorite winter fruits, this is the only thing you need in your hand while you open presents. Great for a late-night Christmas Eve party or early Christmas morning.

Get the Christmosas recipe.

cranberry orange whiskey sour
Erik Bernstein
8 of 50
Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

We crave cranberry cocktails all season long, and this is our go-to cocktail this holiday season. It's warm and spicy from the whiskey and ginger beer, but refreshing and tart from the cranberry and citrus.

Get the Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour recipe.

mistletoe shots
Emily hlavac green
9 of 50
Mistletoe Shots

These shots are bound to make some holiday magic happen! Share one of these with someone you want to kiss.

Get the Mistletoe Shots recipe.

amaretto sour
Lucy schaeffer
10 of 50
Amaretto Sour

For cocktail lovers who like a whiskey sour but want something a bit nuttier, this is the perfect drink. Amaretto Sour is also the ideal cocktail for anyone who loves tiramisu, since the classic Italian dessert often includes amaretto.

Get the Amaretto Sour recipe.

boozy grinch punch
Emily Hlavac Green
11 of 50
Boozy Grinch Punch

If the holidays stress you out a little too much, then Grinch Punch was made for you. As simple as mixing everything in a punch bowl and ladling into glasses, it's an easy, no-fuss Christmas punch perfect for your next party! Even your crankiest of guests will love it!

Get the Boozy Grinch Punch recipe.

nutty irishman
Lucy Schaeffer
12 of 50
Nutty Irishman

The sweetness and subtle nuttiness of the hazelnut liqueur Frangelico is the perfect partner to rich Irish cream. The almost inevitable whipped cream mustache that follows is highly worth it.

Get the Nutty Irishman recipe.

mistletoe margaritas
Emily hlavac green
13 of 50
Mistletoe Margaritas

We'd gladly get caught with one of these under the mistletoe. If you prefer your margaritas on the rocks, feel free to skip the blender step. And if you love a wintry marg, try our White Christmas Margarita next!

Get the Mistletoe Margaritas recipe.

espresso martini  delishcom
Erik Bernstein
14 of 50
Espresso Martini

This buzzy '90s throwback has surged in popularity the last few years, and we are all the happier (and more caffeinated) for it. We love it as a pre-game drink to keep us going all through the night.

Get the Espresso Martini recipe.

cranberry mimosas
Jonathan Boulton
15 of 50
Cranberry Mimosas

While the classic combo of four parts Champagne and one part fresh orange juice can certainly hold its own, this recipe adds a fun holiday twist by swapping the orange juice with fresh cranberries, cranberry juice, rosemary, and a hint of lime.

Get the Cranberry Mimosas recipe.

crème brûlée martini
Parker feierbach
16 of 50
Crème Brûlée Martini

These martinis taste just like a crème brûlée with very little effort. Be sure to keep the caramel in the freezer until you're ready to serve. The caramel will eventually melt into your drink, making it extra-indulgent.

Get the Crème Brûlée Martini recipe.

irish coffee
Parker feierbach
17 of 50
Irish Coffee

Coffee cocktails are the ideal double-hit of caffeine and booze straight to the system, perfect for the start or end of the night. Irish coffee is one the most classic coffee mixed drinks that just requires a combination of sweetened coffee, Irish whiskey, and (of course) whipped cream. It's cozy, delicious, and incredibly easy to make.

Get the Irish Coffee recipe.

manhattan cocktail
Erik Bernstein
18 of 50
Classic Manhattan

There are few cocktails more storied (or simple!) than the Manhattan. First stirred up in 1894 by a bartender at New York City's Waldorf Astoria, the defining characteristic is that it uses Scotch whiskey. Change up your bitters with a few dashes of walnut, lavender, or black cherry for a fun twist.

Get the Classic Manhattan recipe.

hot buttered rum
Park Feierbach
19 of 50
Hot Buttered Rum

Hot buttered rum is essentially the OG butter beer. They both are golden, richly sweet and have that beautiful head that will give you a silly mustache when you drink it. Add in rum, butter, sugar, ice cream, and healthy dose of cinnamon, and you've got heartwarming wintertime magic in a glass.

Get the Hot Buttered Rum recipe.

pecan pie martini
Emily hlavac green
20 of 50
Pecan Pie Martini

These martinis might look innocent, but trust us, they pack a punch. Ideal for when you're trying to dodge all the holiday party small talk.

Get the Pecan Pie Martini recipe.

sidecar
Erik Bernstein
21 of 50
Classic Sidecar

This is one classic cocktail recipe you'll want to keep in your back pocket. The sugar rim isn't required, but we think it offsets the tart flavors in the drink nicely.

Get the Classic Sidecar recipe.

whiskey ginger
Lucy Schaeffer
22 of 50
Whiskey Ginger

Is there any whiskey cocktail more iconic and simple than a whiskey ginger? It’s just two ingredients, but it’s truly one of the best bubbly/spirit combinations out there. To go the extra mile, we wanted a homemade, showstopper garnish, and we couldn’t think of anything more fitting than fresh, spicy candied ginger. Not only does it look great atop a drink, but it's also great for snacking.

Get the Whiskey Ginger recipe.

chocolate martini
Parker feierbach
23 of 50
Chocolate Martini

The perfect combination of boozy and sweet for an after-dinner treat, we love topping ours with shaved chocolate, a pinch of cocoa powder, or even adding a crushed Oreo rim.

Get the Chocolate Martini recipe.

santa clausmopolitan
Jonathan Boulton
24 of 50
Santa Clausmopolitans

All of the presents are wrapped, and you now deserve a Santa Clausmopolitan. This fresh, tart cocktail is the perfect way to unwind from the holiday stress.

Get the Santa Clausmopolitans recipe.

big apple manhattan
Emily hlavac green
25 of 50
Big Apple Manhattan

This Manhattan uses apple brandy to give it a fruity twist. It's a strong enough drink to handle any and all holiday hustling, and is perfect served with any of our apple desserts.

Get the Big Apple Manhattan recipe.

mulled wine
Parker Feierbach
26 of 50
Mulled Wine

Making this mulled wine couldn't be easier: Combine a bottle of red wine with some orange slices, warm spices, honey, and brandy, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. THAT'S IT. We like using dry varietals like Merlot, Malbec, or Cabernet Sauvignon. But really, your favorite bottle, whatever it may be, should work!

Get the Mulled Wine recipe.

jack frosties
Emily hlavac green
27 of 50
Jack Frosties

This blended vodka, sparkling wine, Blue Curaçao, and lemonade cocktail will definitely perk up your winter, though it's delicious all year round as far as we're concerned. Want more slushies? Check out all of our top frozen drinks.

Get the Jack Frosties recipe.

cranberry jello shots
Ethan calabrese
28 of 50
Cranberry Jell-O Shots

Cranberry sauce? We thought you said "cranberry shots." We love these tart-sweet Jell-O shots, especially the sugar-coated cranberries. They're optional but highly encouraged—they make for a great chaser after you've downed the shot.

Get the Cranberry Jell-O Shots recipe.

irish mule
Lucy schaeffer
29 of 50
Irish Mule

We love how the oaky, vanilla-y flavors that come from your favorite whiskey are so well complemented by the fresh ginger and lime in a classic Moscow Mule. It’s the perfect slight twist on the classic that will surprise your guests and have them singing your praises (or maybe writing a limerick about you).

Get the Irish Mule recipe.

apple cider cocktails
Ethan calabrese
30 of 50
Apple Cider Mimosas

Mimosas are the brunch cocktail; however, as the weather gets colder, we all start looking toward more comforting, autumnal flavors. This is the perfect, fall twist on the classic and gives you another reason to celebrate the season.

Get the Apple Cider Mimosas recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
More From COCKTAIL HOUR!