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20 Cocktails and Mocktails For All Your Holiday Happenings
The holiday season is a time for gatherings, celebration and a little indulgence.
Whether you’re hosting a festive brunch, an elegant dinner party or just cozying up by the fire, a great cocktail or mocktail can elevate the moment. We’ve rounded up 20 of the best holiday drink recipes—from classic cocktails to creative mocktails—that are perfect for all your holiday happenings.
So grab your favorite glassware and let’s get mixing!
Hungry for more? Raise a glass this holiday season with our selection of Christmas Bar Tools, Accessories and Glassware!
Winter Reviver
A holiday version of the classic Corpse Reviver, this build-style cocktail is as smooth as it is indulgent.
Mixing cabernet sauvignon with rosemary honey syrup, a splash of cherry juice and a squeeze of lemon for a bright finish, with a dusting of powdered sugar on a rosemary sprig for garnish.
Get the Winter Reviver recipe!
Sparkling Apple Punch
Kick off your holiday party with a punch that combines the crisp flavor of apples with a bubbly twist.
This refreshing Sparkling Apple Punch is the perfect drink to serve in a large bowl, making it easy for guests to serve themselves.
The Seattle Sipper
A bold, aromatic cocktail highlighting the earthy flavors of Westland Distillery Whiskey, balanced with maple syrup and Campari.
With muddled lemon and rosemary plus a splash of dry hard cider, this drink is a blend of smooth, smoky-sweet notes that embody Seattle’s vibrant craft cocktail scene.
Pomegranate and Orange Vodka Cocktail
A splash of holiday color in a glass, garnished with orange slices and pomegranate arils, this cocktail is as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s shaken to perfection, combining pomegranate juice, citrusy notes of orange, and a homemade honey simple syrup, infused with fresh mint.
Mulled Mule Mocktail
Looking for a non-alcoholic drink that’s as flavorful as its cocktail counterpart?
This Mulled Mule Mocktail is packed with festive spices and a splash of ginger beer, served warm in a mug with spiced orange slices and cinnamon sticks.
Sparkling Cranberry and Orange Apple Cocktail
This sparkling cocktail is a fruit lover’s dream!
A little cranberry juice and apple cider topped with champagne or prosecco—garnished with fresh cranberries, thin apple slices and rosemary—it not only tastes delightful but looks stunning in a champagne flute.
Get the Sparkling Cranberry and Orange Apple Cocktail recipe!
Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned
A sophisticated twist on an Old Fashioned, combining your choice of rye whiskey or bourbon with the aromatic essence of smoke-infused rosemary.
The dramatic infusion of smoke can be achieved by lighting the rosemary and covering the glass or using a cocktail smoking kit.
Harvest Punch
With vibrant slices of orange and apple, fresh cranberries and rosemary, this punch is not only delicious but also visually stunning, making it perfect for holiday gatherings. Ideal for self-serving, it can be made in advance, allowing you to enjoy the celebration with your guests while offering sparkling water or wine on the side for customizable sipping.
Mulled Cider
There’s nothing quite like a cup of warm, spiced cider during the colder months. Infused with cinnamon, cloves and oranges, this mulled cider is a holiday staple.
Optional whiskey adds a warm kick, making it an ideal digestif for both festive gatherings and quiet nights by the fire.
French 75
This timeless, elegant cocktail is made with three simple ingredients: gin, lemon juice and champagne. Light, bubbly and perfect for toasting to new beginnings.
Instant Pot Christmas Wassail
A traditional wassail is made with mulled cider, apple, orange and fragrant spices, with a mix of hard cider and Madeira wine, but the real star is how easily it comes together in your multicooker.
Finish with a splash of rum and a cinnamon stick for an extra touch of warmth and cheer.
Holiday Orange Cranberry Punch
Orange and cranberry are a match made in holiday heaven.
This punch is sweet, tangy and incredibly easy to make in large batches. Grab a punch bowl or pitcher and garnish with fresh cranberries and orange slices for a pop of color.
Holiday Cocktail
Combining the botanical flavors of Tanqueray with dry curacao and cranberry shrub, topped with sparkling wine, this cocktail is bright and refreshing—the perfect ode to the holiday, garnished with an orange twist and sprig of rosemary.
Yule Mule
If you like a Moscow Mule, you’re going to love this—simply combine cranberry juice, ginger beer and lime.
Serve your Yule Mule in a chilled copper mug with crushed ice, and garnish it with fresh cranberries for a touch of holiday cheer.
The Scarlet Sipper
This cocktail lives up to its name with its striking red hue.
Fruit-forward red wine with the bold flavors of bourbon, citrus and amaro, served over crushed ice with a twist—it’s one eye-catching aperitif.
Spiced Negroni
Give the Negroni a holiday makeover.
A chai tea-infused gin gives this cocktail a warm, spiced depth, shaken and served over ice with a cinnamon stick and orange peel. Bold and flavorful, perfect for sipping by the fire.
Venezuelan Eggnog
Venezuelan Eggnog, or Ponche Crema, is a creamy, spiced drink that’s typically made with rum.
For a non-alcoholic version, skip the rum and add a bit of extra cinnamon for a seasonal twist.
Sparkling Blood Orange Mocktail
Sweet, slightly tart, and completely alcohol-free, this sparkling citrus mocktail is the perfect go-to for holiday gatherings.
Garnished with a slice of blood orange and rosemary—all you need is a good highball.
Hot Cocoa
Nothing says winter like a warm cup of hot cocoa, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows. But this isn’t just any hot cocoa—it’s homemade.
Pro Tip: Add a hint of peppermint or cinnamon for a little holiday kick.
Fall Spiced Margarita
Pull out your margarita glasses—shake spiced apple cider with tequila and a hint of maple syrup until cold and frothy.
With a cinnamon-salt rim and apple garnishes, this cocktail captures the cozy, comforting flavors of the season.
Hungry for more? Raise a glass this holiday season with our selection of Christmas Bar Tools, Accessories and Glassware!
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