Delicious Holiday Drinks For Boozy Christmas Celebrations

Eggnog is the liquid embodiment of festive cheer. This creamy concoction, traditionally enjoyed in the colder months, is a blend of eggs, milk, and sugar spiked with a generous pour of spirits like rum, bourbon, or brandy.

In addition, the drink also has other traditional holiday spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and sometimes cloves. Even though you can serve a chilled eggnog, it works best warmed during the holiday season. The velvety texture along with the sweet essence goes well with the alcohol as you sip on it by the fireplace.

If you're a fan of holiday-inspired rum cocktails, hot buttered rum is the premium choice. It starts with a blend of butter, brown sugar, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. To this batter, dark rum and hot water are added to make it a buttery and aromatic affair.

Hot Buttered Rum is a celebration of tradition, a nostalgic nod to the warmth of holiday gatherings and the crackle of a fireplace. Sipped slowly, it is a great way of enjoying the little things in life via a well-crafted drink.

The Gingerbread Martini is as festive as you can get this holiday season. This drink begins with the essence of gingerbread, as ginger-infused simple syrup meets the rich notes of molasses and cinnamon. The star of the show is typically ginger liqueur which adds a zesty kick and a touch of sweetness that harmonizes with the bold flavors.

Vodka, the martini's stalwart, provides a clean canvas for these winter spices to shine. The cocktail is often completed with a splash of cream or vanilla-flavored liqueur for a luscious and creamy texture that mimics the indulgence of freshly baked gingerbread cookies.

Santa's hat, as the name suggests, is an iconic symbol of holiday cheer and festive merriment. It is representative of Christmas with its bold red hue and fluffy white trim. The cocktail is made with cherry and vanilla added to a base of vodka mix. To make this drink, start with a base of vanilla vodka. Cherry liqueur or grenadine is then introduced, infusing the cocktail with a vibrant red hue, mirroring Santa's hat.

The finishing touch is often a splash of cream or coconut milk, creating a snowy white layer that beautifully contrasts with the red. Like in the actual hat, the red color in the drink is believed to symbolize warmth and goodwill, while the white brim evokes the snowy landscapes of the North Pole.

Translating to "little coconut" in Spanish, this Puerto Rican holiday drink is coconut-based. It is often considered the island's answer to our traditional eggnog. 

At its heart, the coquito has rich coconut cream with sweetened condensed milk, creating a velvety base that serves as the canvas for flavors to be added. Traditional recipes call for a generous pour of Puerto Rican white rum, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg to transform each sip into a tropical holiday escape.

Who doesn't like a good sangria? It is a great way to enjoy autumnal flavors in the form of festive punch to share with friends and family. This drink has the crispness of apples, and tart zing of cranberries, all floating in a pool of ruby-red sangria.

To make it, start with a hearty pour of red wine, preferably a robust variety like Cabernet Sauvignon. To this, add apple cider, infusing the sangria with the essence of orchard-fresh apples and a touch of sweetness. Fresh cranberries and slices of crisp apples also join the mix. For the booze, you can choose between brandy or orange liqueur. As you let it sit for a few minutes, the fruits get marinated and absorb the liquor.

Making your own hot chocolate from an array of available hot chocolate recipes is a must for Christmas. However, did you know there is a way to spike this holiday classic to make it fit the grown-up aesthetics? Typically, the creamy mixture is spiked with a generous splash of your favorite spirit, be it a velvety dark rum, a creamy Irish cream liqueur, or a bold shot of peppermint schnapps. The possibilities can be as diverse as your liquor cabinet.

Share it with your friends on a bonfire as you share your Christmas memories and enjoy a sip of nostalgia in between turns.

This winter wonder combines the sophistication of a classic martini with the cool, invigorating essence of peppermint. Crafted with care, this cocktail begins with a base of premium vodka, providing a neutral canvas for the forthcoming burst of minty freshness.

The star of the show, peppermint schnapps, swirls into the mix, to give it a distinctive cool and sweet note. The shaken, not stirred, approach ensures a perfectly chilled and frothy concoction, ready to be poured into a chilled martini glass.

Jingle Juice is the perfect drink for Christmas that celebrates the feeling of togetherness. This merry cocktail is often prepared in a punch bowl with cranberry, orange, and pomegranate juices all cruising along in sparkling water or ginger ale.

The magic intensifies with the spirited kick of vodka or champagne. Floating within this jubilant potion are slices of citrus fruits, cranberries, and perhaps a handful of pomegranate seeds, all of which are reminiscent of festive ornaments. It is a great centerpiece to serve for Christmas lunch with the family.

The White Russian is an iconic cocktail that was born in the 20th century and has secured its place as a beloved after-dinner treat or a laid-back evening sipper. It is a simple yet elegant composition. Vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream are the three main components of the drink.

Vodka provides a neutral canvas, allowing the robust coffee flavor of the liqueur, typically Kahlúa, to take center stage. The crowning glory is the addition of rich, heavy cream, creating a drink that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

Originating from European traditions, this comforting beverage is prepared by simmering red wine with an assortment of spices, typically including cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and citrus peels.

As the pot of mulled wine simmers, it releases an enticing fragrance that envelops spaces with the essence of the holidays. The addition of sweeteners like honey or sugar, along with a splash of brandy or orange liqueur, enhances the complexity of the brew for those who like a particular kick in their cocktails.

Similar to Jingle Juice, Christmas Punch is also a spirited embodiment of festive cheer. Also prepared in a large bowl or pitcher, it features seasonal fruits like cranberry, pomegranate, or orange. The effervescence of ginger ale, club soda, or sparkling wine adds a lively fizz to make the drink sparkle like winter snow.

For the adult twist, a splash of rum or vodka is introduced, elevating the punch to a spirited experience. This one is all about the communal experience as a shared toast to the holiday season.

As traditions go, Irish coffee is a must-have during the holiday season. Originating in Ireland, this classic cocktail is a comforting ritual, a sip of liquid history that dates back to the mid-20th century.

To prepare this iconic drink, start with a steaming cup of strong, hot coffee, ideally brewed with care and attention. A generous pour of Irish whiskey, traditionally using brands like Jameson, is then introduced to provide character to the brew. Next comes a subtle sweetness, often from brown sugar, stirred in. The final and most important component of the drink is the whipped cream that floats atop the coffee.

The Big Apple Manhattan is a tribute to the city that never sleeps in the form of a sophisticated twist on the classic cocktail. This drink has become synonymous with urban elegance. It starts with the iconic Manhattan and infuses it with the vibrant spirit of New York City.

What sets the Big Apple Manhattan apart is its nod to the city's cosmopolitan flair. Instead of the traditional cherry garnish, it embraces the essence of the "Big Apple" by featuring a luscious slice of crisp, locally sourced apple. Sipping a Big Apple Manhattan is a sensory delight that is reminiscent of Christmas in a big city.

As the name suggests, Mistletoe Margaritas are infused with the holiday spirit in every sip. The name Mistletoe is given due to the color of the drink that results from the ingredients used to make the drink. It begins with a base of tequila, the backbone of any good margarita, followed by the citrusy embrace of fresh lime juice.

What sets Mistletoe Margaritas apart is the enchanting addition of cranberry juice or pomegranate juice, imparting a festive ruby hue that evokes the warmth of the season. To balance the sweetness, a touch of orange liqueur is introduced. What's even more exciting is that you can actually share this drink under a mistletoe.

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour is a spirited twist on the classic cocktail. It has the tartness of cranberries along with the citrusy zing of oranges, all harmonized by the robust warmth of whiskey. This concoction begins with a mixture of fresh cranberries and the bright essence of orange slices to make up for fruity flavors.

A splash of simple syrup lends just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tart and robust notes, creating a well-rounded and palatable drink.

Sugar Cookie Martinis are for days when you want to bring the joy of holiday baking to the cocktail scene. This cocktail commences with vanilla vodka, reminiscent of the classic sugar cookie's signature vanilla flavor. To amplify the festive charm, a splash of amaretto or almond liqueur is added.

The rim of the martini glass is often adorned with crushed sugar cookies or a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar for a delightful textural contrast and an extra layer of sweetness. The finishing touch is a swirl of whipped cream, transforming this martini into a liquid dessert that mirrors the joy of biting into a freshly baked sugar cookie.

This one is for all the cosmopolitan lovers out there. Taken from the recipe for the traditional Cosmo, it is made with ingredients like vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Instead of the red cranberry juice, a white cranberry juice is used. This subtle alteration not only imparts a lighter, more ethereal hue to the cocktail but also introduces a slightly sweeter and less tart profile.

The White Cosmo retains the iconic citrus notes with a splash of fresh lime juice, ensuring a balanced and refreshing taste. Its pristine appearance, often garnished with a twist of lime or floating cranberries, elevates the drinking experience, making it appropriate for the holiday season.

As the morning light bathes the room in a warm glow on a Christmas morning, these mimosas offer a refreshing and effervescent start to the celebrations. This classic cocktail, typically a blend of chilled champagne or sparkling wine and fresh-squeezed orange juice, becomes a symbolic drink of merriment on Christmas morning.

The popping of corks echoes the excitement of unwrapping presents, while the citrusy aroma of freshly squeezed oranges infuses the air with a vibrant and uplifting fragrance. Served in elegant flutes or festive glasses, Christmas Morning Mimosas are garnished with orange slices or festive berries to make it a vibrant experience.