18 Cocktails (and Mocktails!) To Win Over Your Guests This Holiday Season
As the holiday season rolls in, it’s time to think about the centerpiece of any festive gathering: the drink menu. Whether you’re toasting to good health with a clinking cocktail or raising a glass of a cheer-filled mocktail, a delicious drink is an easy way to add an extra layer of holiday spirit to your festivities.
From the rich and creamy to the light and fizzy, get ready to mix, shake and stir your way through the season.
Check out 18 of our mixologist-picked cocktail and mocktail recipes that are perfect to raise a glass to this winter.
Hungry for more? We’ve got everything you need to ensure your holidays go off without a hitch!
Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned
The drink’s signature element, a wisp of rosemary smoke, infuses the cocktail with an almost piney aroma, complementing the Angostura bitters that add a touch of spice and depth.
If you don’t have a cocktail smoking kit, don’t stress—you can make this smoky drink with just a dried sprig of rosemary and the top part of a shaker.
Sparkling Blood Orange Mocktail
The Sparkling Blood Orange Mocktail is a vibrant and refreshing drink that’s bursting with the tangy sweetness of fresh blood oranges and pomegranate juice.
Its effervescent sparkle comes from the addition of orange sparkling water, but feel free to sub your favorite citrus variation (lemon or grapefruit would work great, too).
The Scarlet Sipper
This wine and bourbon cocktail recipe casts a warm, crimson glow reminiscent of a crackling hearth in the heart of winter. The richness of the bourbon melds seamlessly with the sweetness of red wine, creating a symphony of complex flavors.
Depending on the bourbon’s undertones, accentuate its vanilla, oak or caramel notes with a twist of orange zest, a cherry or a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.
Sparkling Cranberry and Apple Cocktail
This Sparkling Cranberry and Apple Cocktail is a cheerful drink recipe for any holiday party, mixing the sharpness of cranberries with the familiar sweetness of apple cider. Its fizz—which comes from sparkling wine, prosecco, champagne or, for a mocktail variation, tonic—is as lively as a crackling fire, ideal for sipping on a chilly evening.
Add a simple garnish like apples, cranberries, rosemary or even a cinnamon stick to give it a hint of holiday flavor.
Gin and Grape Rosemary Rosé
The Gin and Grape Rosemary Rosé is a delicate balance of floral and herbaceous notes. The juniper in the gin pairs beautifully with the light, fruity essence of rosé wine, while muddled grapes add a touch of tartness to brighten up the drink.
The homemade rosemary simple syrup elevates this one step further—weaving in a layer of fresh, herbaceous sweetness.
Winter Reviver
This winter cocktail recipe is not only a delicious drink to sip on, but also a great conversation starter—perfect for gathering friends and family on a cold winter night.
The full-bodied cabernet sauvignon lays a foundation of darker notes, while the rosemary honey syrup adds a touch of herbal sweetness—all brightened with a fresh squeeze of lemon.
We love this drink because it’s conveniently batch-friendly, allowing you to mix a large quantity in advance, so you can enjoy your party with a ready-to-serve, crowd-pleasing concoction.
Cranberry Buck
The tart and tangy cocktail blends the homemade vibrancy of a cranberry orange shrub (sweetened vinegar-based syrup infused with fruit flavors) with the botanical richness of gin.
A splash of lemon juice and a hint of simple syrup perfectly balance the sharpness, while ginger beer adds a fizzy finish. Garnished with an aromatic rosemary sprig through an orange wheel, this cocktail recipe is a simple yet sophisticated addition to any occasion.
Pomegranate and Orange Vodka Cocktail
This pomegranate and orange vodka cocktail is a striking blend of beauty and flavor, boasting a bold crimson hue from the pomegranate juice that’s as delightful to look at as it is to sip.
Its natural sweetness is courtesy of the homemade honey simple syrup, while the mint leaves introduce a refreshing coolness. Garnished with bright orange slices, fresh pomegranate arils and an extra sprig of mint, this cocktail recipe is a visually stunning masterpiece with a taste to match.
The Seattle Sipper
The cocktail begins with the bright zing of muddled lemon and aromatic rosemary, layered with the richness of whiskey, a sweet hint of maple syrup and the bitter intrigue of Campari.
Finished with a generous dash of Angostura bitters and topped with dry hard cider, it’s a drink recipe that strikes that perfect balance of sweet and sour with a touch of herbal notes. Serve it over molded ice cubes that’ll keep it chilled without diluting it, plus a rosemary sprig or cranberries skewered on a cocktail pick.
Instant Pot Christmas Wassail
Warm up your holidays with this inviting wassail made in a multicooker—a perfect large-batch drink for a crowd.
The rich blend of mulling spices like cinnamon, cloves and allspice with the natural sweetness of apple and the tartness of orange all steep together in a mixture of cranberry and apple juices. The additions of robust hard cider and Madeira wine add depth to the traditional flavors, while a splash of rum adds a spirited kick at the end.
Mulled Mule Mocktail
This holiday mocktail combines the fiery kick of ginger beer with the sweet tang of blood orange juice, all warmed with the aromatic spices of cinnamon sticks and star anise. As an added bonus: the festive drink will fill your kitchen with the warm, cozy smells of the season as it simmers in a saucepan.
If you’re looking to make this an adults-only drink, simply add 1½ ounces of your favorite liquor upon mixing (adding after it’s been heated will avoid cooking off the alcohol and help preserve the spirit’s flavor profile).
French 75
Step back in time with a classic cocktail that hails from 1920s Paris.
The blend of sharp gin, zesty lemon juice and sweet simple syrup, topped with the celebratory fizz of champagne, echoes the sophistication of its era.
Served in an stylish flute or coupe glass, it’s a timeless choice for an elegant celebration while also being simple enough for a low-key gathering with friends. For a festive twist, top it with pomegranate arils, cranberries or a sprig of rosemary to bring holiday cheer to your soirée.
Holiday Cocktail
Indulge in the holiday spirit with this vibrant cocktail featuring the crispness of Tanqueray 10 gin, the subtle citrus of dry curaçao and the tartness of cranberry shrub. The addition of sparkling wine introduces a celebratory fizziness, making it perfect for festive gatherings.
Fall Spiced Margarita
Sip on the warmth of the season with this autumn-inspired tequila cocktail, blending the smoothness of reposado with the comforting flavors of spiced apple cider.
A touch of maple syrup adds a subtle sweetness, while the lime juice brings balance with a brighter zest of flavor. Served in a glass rimmed with a mix of cinnamon and salt (for a delightful contrast of flavors and visual appeal) and garnished with a cinnamon stick and crisp apple slices, this holiday drink recipe is the perfect combination of the season’s best.
Homemade Eggnog
Celebrate the holiday season with a luxurious Homemade Eggnog, elevated by the use of a stand mixer to create the airy, whipped texture in this drink.
The light rum gives it an adult edge, while the blend of festive spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice infuses it with the quintessential flavors of the season. For a nonalcoholic version, the rum can be easily omitted without sacrificing the rich flavor.
Serve chilled with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg on top, perfect for sipping alongside holiday desserts or as a cozy complement to coffee.
Spiced Negroni
This Spiced Negroni is like your favorite holiday sweater: comfy, cozy and just right for the season.
Its gin infused with chai tea gives it a kick of spice that meshes well with the Campari’s bold taste and the sweet vermouth’s smoothness. Plop in some ice, stir in a cinnamon stick for that extra hint of holiday cheer and finish with an orange twist to keep things bright.
Yule Mule
The Yule Mule is the holiday cousin of the classic Moscow Mule, dressed up for festive cheer.
This cocktail recipe blends tart cranberry juice with crisp vodka, topped with the sharpness of ginger beer and the bright squeeze of fresh lime juice. With its vibrant color and fizz, the Yule Mule is sure to be a spirited addition to your winter gatherings.
Grapefruit, Rosemary and Pomegranate Pisco Sour
This refreshing twist on the classic Pisco Sour combines the crisp notes of pisco with the sweet and tart flavors of grapefruit and pomegranate juices, mellowed out by a homemade rosemary simple syrup.
The egg white adds a creamy frothiness to the mix, creating a luscious texture that perfectly complements the drink’s bright acidity. Garnished with a sprig of rosemary, a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds and a slice of grapefruit, this cocktail is a festive addition to any celebration.
Get the Grapefruit, Rosemary and Pomegranate Pisco Sour recipe!
Hungry for more? We’ve got everything you need to ensure your holidays go off without a hitch!
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