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21+ Holiday Cocktails to Celebrate the Season

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‘Tis the season for gatherings galore! This list of holiday cocktails is here to help you find the perfect drink for any crowd filled with cozy flavors that everyone will love.

A White Christmas margarita with cranberries and rosemary on a gold tray.

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Your ultimate guide to holiday cocktails

Let’s be real, the weeks between Halloween and New Years can get a little hectic. With a handful of official holidays, family dinners, happy hours and that one chaotic night when everyone’s back in town, there’s no one-size-fits-all drink.

Instead, you need to read the room and match your cocktail to the vibe of the celebration. What you serve for a cozy night in is going to be drastically different from what you serve at a formal dinner celebration. Think hot chocolate versus a bubbly champagne cocktail.

Because you don’t want to add any stress to the season, plenty of these drinks have simple recipes with ingredients you may already have on your bar cart *. That’s certainly something to raise a glass to!

Quick tips for serving drinks 

Once again, there’s not one thing that will work for all gatherings, but there are some tips that can help no matter the recipe.

  • If you’re serving a crowd, try batch making your cocktail of choice ahead of time. Skip the ice, anything bubbly and garnishes until just before you’re ready to serve.
  • For warm drinks, use a slow cooker to keep them at temperature so guests can enjoy them at their leisure.
  • If you’re spending a lot of time on the menu, keep things simple for yourself by choosing a big batch recipe. You just need to mix once to serve a big group.
  • Setting up a drink station or drink bar is a fun interactive activity that allows guests to create their perfect drink — and takes the pressure off of you!

What to serve with holiday cocktails

Not to sound like a broken record, but you really need to pick your menu based on what type of party you’re having. Cozy evening by the fire? Can’t beat homemade pizza dough with all the toppings. Holiday happy hour? Charcuterie cups are sure to be a hit! Need a snack to share at almost anything? Cheese straws are one of my family’s favorites.

The best holiday cocktails

 Enjoy the season with one of these festive sippers in hand:

For cozy nights in

1
A glass of whiskey with ice sits on a white surface alongside a decanter, a jigger, a jar with a golden spoon, and a green-and-white cloth.
Maple Old-Fashioned
The Maple Old-Fashioned brings fireside comfort to a classic. Bourbon’s caramel warmth melts into pure maple syrup for a soft, woodsy sweetness that lingers without being cloying. Sip this one on quiet nights in.
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2
Clear mug of apple cider with a cinnamon stick and star anise on top, placed on a coaster. Apples and spices are in the background.
Spiked Apple Cider
Turn a cozy mug into a celebration with a splash of booze. Warm Spiked Cider blends best with bourbon or dark rum for a drink that’s equal parts nostalgic and festive. This slow sipper is perfect for sweater weather and lazy evenings.
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3
Top view of two cups of mulled wine with cinnamon sticks, surrounded by bowls of raisins and cinnamon sticks on a table.
Danish Gløgg
Danish Glogg delivers that storybook kind of warmth. Red wine and brandy simmer with spices until the whole kitchen smells like the holidays. Raisins and slivered almonds lend fruity, nutty flavor, adding a little texture and tradition to every pour.
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4
Two mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream on top.
Baileys Hot Chocolate
Baileys Hot Chocolate is pure winter comfort in a cup. Irish cream rounds out dark cocoa’s bite, turning it into something silky and grown-up. Top it with whipped cream or shaved chocolate and it doubles as dessert.
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Holiday happy hour drinks

5
Two glasses of pomegranate martini cocktail on a tray.
Pomegranate Martini
Jewel-toned and bright, the Pomegranate Martini feels made for clinking glasses at holiday happy hour. Vodka keeps it clean and crisp while pomegranate and citrus lend a tart-sweet balance. A chilled glass with a sugared rim finishes it with just the right sparkle.
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6
Two glasses of blue margarita with limes on a napkin.
Frozen Blue Margarita
Frosty and fun, this Blue Margarita channels winter chill in a glass. Blue curaçao gives it that icy hue and a whisper of orange sweetness, blending beautifully with tequila and lime. Serve it frozen for a cool, crystalline twist on a classic.
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7
A clear cocktail garnished with cranberries, mint, and a lime wedge is served in a glass with gold polka dots.
Christmas Mojito
Tropical flavor meets winter charm in the White Christmas Mojito. White rum, white cranberry juice, lime and mint blend into something creamy but refreshing — like a beach day in December. A few cranberries or pomegranate seeds add a pretty pop of color.
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8
An old-fashioned Christmas cocktail with gingerbread cookies and a cinnamon stick.
Christmas Old-Fashioned Cocktail
Warm, aromatic and unmistakably festive, the Christmas Old-Fashioned reimagines a classic with gingerbread flair. Bourbon mixes with cranberry syrup and a hint of orange zest for a holiday twist that still feels timeless. A rosemary sprig or sugared cranberries add an easy flourish.
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Crowd-pleaser cocktails for the whole crew

9
Rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks and star anise lay on a white wooden background alongside two stemless wineglasses filled with ice and golden liquid garnished with apple slices and spices
Apple Cider Sangria
Apple Cider Sangria blends crisp white wine, brandy and spiced cider into a pitcher made for sharing. Fresh apples, pears and citrus slices soak up the flavor, giving this recipe a sweet-tart balance that’s refreshing yet cozy. It’s a crowd-pleaser from Friendsgiving to New Year’s brunch.
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10
Top view of a glass of spiced apple cider with ice cubes, sliced apple, cinnamon stick, star anise, and rosemary sprigs.
Pear Thanksgiving Punch
This Pear Thanksgiving Punch layers pear nectar, vodka and sparkling wine for an elegant party pour. Subtle sweetness meets a gentle fizz, rounded by warm hints of ginger or cinnamon. Easy to batch ahead, it looks stunning with pear slices drifting across the top.
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11
juice-filled ornaments on a christmas tree mimosa bar
Christmas Tree Mimosa Bar
A Christmas Tree Mimosa Bar makes any brunch sparkle. Guests can mix their own blends of bubbly with cranberry, orange or pomegranate juice, finished with rosemary sprigs or sugared berries. It’s festive, customizable and ideal for a laid-back holiday morning.
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12
A bowl of sangria with apple, orange, and blood orange slices topped with cranberries.
Holiday Punch
Holiday Punch delivers big flavor with minimal fuss. Rum or vodka mingle with citrus, cranberry juice and a splash of sparkling water for a drink that’s light but celebratory. Float orange wheels and cranberries for a jewel-toned centerpiece in the punch bowl.
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Dressy cocktails for special evenings

13
Closeup of a chocolate old-fashioned cocktail in a rocks glass with chocolate rim and chocolate out of focus in the background
Chocolate Old-Fashioned
The Chocolate Old-Fashioned gives the whiskey classic a rich, moody edge. A dash of chocolate bitters and a splash of chocolate liqueur deepens bourbon’s vanilla and caramel tones, creating a dessert-like finish without tipping into sweetness. This recipe feels like the cocktail equivalent of a velvet jacket — refined and ready for celebration.
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14
A copper mug with a pink cocktail, garnished with cranberries and rosemary sprigs, placed on a white surface. Other copper mugs, cranberries, and a jigger are in the background.
Yule Mule
Holiday spice meets cool refreshment in the Yule Mule. Vodka’s clean base lets ginger beer and cranberry mingle for a crisp, tart finish. Served in a copper mug with a rosemary sprig or sugared cranberry skewer, it’s cheerful but still polished.
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15
A cocktail with orange slices and rosemary sprigs.
Prosecco Punch
Bubbly and bright, Prosecco Punch pairs sparkling wine with citrus and berries for an easy dose of celebration. A few mint leaves or a citrus twist lift the flavor and color, giving this recipe an elegant sparkle perfect for parties.
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16
christmas margaritas on a white countertop
Christmas Margaritas
The Christmas Margarita dresses up a crowd favorite for the holidays. Tequila, cranberry juice and lime strike a balance of sweet, tart and spirited. A salted or sugared rim with a rosemary sprig makes it simple but striking.
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Sparkle for New Year’s

17
A coupe glass filled with a pale yellow cocktail, garnished with a curled lemon peel on the rim. Bar tools, lemon, and ingredients hint at creative French 75 variations in the background.
French 75 Cocktail
Sparkling with timeless glamour, the French 75 blends gin’s botanicals with lemon juice and Champagne for a balance that’s both bright and refined. Served in a flute, this recipe fits seamlessly into midnight toasts or elegant evenings in.
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18
Two glasses of lemonade with a bottle of lemon juice.
Lemon Champagne Punch
Lemon Champagne Punch wakes up the palate with crisp citrus and effervescence. Fresh lemon and sparkling wine create a refreshing harmony that feels effortless and chic. A ring of lemon slices floating on top turns the bowl into instant celebration.
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19
Rock candy on a stick sits inside a pink cocktail in a gold star stemless champagne flute. Another flute and a bottle of pink liquor sit behind while a pink and gold plate of rock candy is in the corner of the image.
Pink Champagne Cocktail
This Pink Champagne Cocktail adds a soft blush and a hint of sweetness to any toast. Champagne made with a touch of red grapes tints the bubbles and smooths the acidity. Light, lovely and festive, it’s as pretty in a coupe as it is in a flute.
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20
A Seelbach Bourbon Champagne Cocktail fills a champagne flute with a golden-brown drink, garnished with a lemon twist and set on a patterned napkin.
The Seelbach Cocktail
Bold yet elegant, the Seelbach Champagne Cocktail brings bourbon’s warmth to sparkling wine’s fizz. Bitters add spice and complexity, giving this recipe an old-school allure that feels both timeless and thrillingly festive.
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21
A champagne Moscow Mule in a fluted glass on a green linen napkin, surrounded by gold confetti.
Champagne Moscow Mule
A sparkling spin on a favorite, the Champagne Moscow Mule keeps vodka and ginger beer crisp while Champagne adds celebratory fizz. Serve it over ice in a copper mug with a lemon twist for a fresh, party-ready twist on the classic.
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About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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