8 Festive Christmas Cocktails for 2021

Your holiday season is about to get extra jolly with these delicious, festive Christmas cocktails! Every sip is full of your favorite holiday flavors, and you can bet they're all guaranteed crowd pleasers to put everyone in a very merry spirit. For the perfect signature Christmas cocktail to add to your holiday menu, you can't go wrong with any of these eight drinks.

Why You'll Love These Recipes

Christmas is here, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a holly-jolly cocktail! Who's with me?

Each and every festive Christmas cocktail on the list has been personally tested by my friends, family and me and has been met with rave reviews. After all, it's the holidays, and you're busy. You need recipes that have been tried and tested, and you can find that here.

Additionally, you'll find a variety of Christmas cocktails. Need a Christmas margarita? You're covered. Love a boozy eggnog? It's right here. Or maybe you'd love a Nutcracker cocktail for an elegant holiday touch -- I have just the recipe for you.

And, of course, you may also need some food pairing ideas as well. For a main entrée, my Christmas roast duck is perfect, and my holiday pretzel bites with cranberry and Brie make for a great seasonal appetizer. For dessert, try my gingerbread pudding, cranberry-orange cookies and gingerbread ice cream.

Now it's time to mix yourself a holiday cheer cocktail and enjoy the season with your favorite people.

1. Winter Wonderland Margarita

Winter Wonderland Margarita

When Old Man Winter strikes, nothing gets you through the cold night like a seasonal cocktail by the fire. Made with sweet and savory rosemary simple syrup and bright white coconut milk, this Winter Wonderland Margarita is your perfect sipper for the occasion. Serve with a candied rosemary sprig for a sparkly, wintry touch.

Check out this recipe

2. Sugar Plum Fairy Martini

Sugar Plum Fairy Martini

Add a little sparkle to your holidays with this festive Sugar Plum Fairy Martini! Tart cranberry juice, rich Amaretto and a touch of spice come together to make your new favorite Christmas cocktail. This Nutcracker-themed martini is a sure hit for your next holiday party, or it's the perfect relaxing sipper for an evening in front of the fireplace.

Check out this recipe

3. Cranberry-Spice Christmas Mimosa

Cranberry-Spice Christmas Mimosa

Pop the bubbly! The holidays are here, and we need a jolly mimosa to celebrate in style. With its vibrant hue and bundle of holiday flavors, this cranberry-spice Christmas mimosa is the perfect cocktail for a festive brunch.

Check out this recipe

4. Holiday Sangria

Cranberry-Apple Cider Holiday Sangria

Full of seasonal fruit and a touch of spice, this festive cranberry-apple cider holiday sangria is the perfect drink to celebrate this magical time of year.

Check out this recipe

5. Chai-Cranberry Bourbon Smash

Chai-Cranberry Bourbon Smash

Liven up your holiday party with this chai-cranberry bourbon smash. Full of warm spice, this cocktail will have you feeling the holiday spirit in no time.

Check out this recipe

6. Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Margarita

Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Margarita

Elevate your cocktail game with a sparkling cranberry-ginger margarita this holiday season! Made with a fresh ginger simple syrup, tart cranberry juice and bubbly ginger ale, this holiday margarita is one jolly cocktail that’s sure to put everyone in a festive mood. You won't find a more perfect cranberry cocktail for your next holiday gathering.

Check out this recipe

7. Buddy the Elf's Maple Eggnog

Buddy the Elf’s Favorite Maple Eggnog

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” — or serving Buddy the Elf’s favorite maple eggnog, which is sure to give you all the holiday vibes in no time. While most eggnog recipes are sweetened with sugar, this recipe uses maple syrup as a nod to Buddy’s favorite food group. The maple syrup gives this eggnog a warmth and richness that make for the most decadent holiday cocktail.

Check out this recipe

8. Sparkling Pomegranate Martini

Sparkling Pomegranate Martini

Add a little glitz to your holiday celebration with this sparkling pomegranate martini! Ginger ale gives this stunning, fancy martini a bubbly finish with a touch of spice for a sophisticated upgrade to a classic pomegranate cocktail. Plus, with just a handful of ingredients, this pomegranate cocktail comes together in minutes, making it perfect for easy entertaining.

Check out this recipe

Bonus Holiday Cocktails

But let's not stop there. Here are more brand-new drink recipes to add to your Christmas menu.

Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Sour

Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Sour

This is for you, whiskey lovers — meet the spiced cranberry bourbon sour that will be your new favorite holiday cocktail! Made with a fresh cranberry simple syrup infused with orange zest, this frothy cranberry whiskey cocktail perfectly balances tart notes with caramel-like bourbon for one complex drink. You’ll want to make this your signature cocktail all throughout the holiday season.

Check out this recipe

Spiced Cranberry Old Fashioned

Spiced Cranberry Old Fashioned

Put an extra festive touch to your holiday cocktail menu with this spiced cranberry old fashioned! Prepared with a fresh cranberry-spice simple syrup and citrusy orange bitters, this holiday old fashioned is filled with the season’s best flavors, and it couldn’t be easier to make. This is one cocktail you’ll want to make all holiday season long.

Check out this recipe

Gingerbread Old Fashioned

Gingerbread Old Fashioned

Let’s toast to this jolly season with a gingerbread old fashioned! Full of warming, cozy spices from a homemade gingerbread simple syrup, this Christmas bourbon cocktail is perfect for serving a crowd at your holiday party or sipping on a quiet night by the fireplace.

Check out this recipe

Cranberry French 75

Cranberry French 75

Let’s toast to the holiday season with this cheery cranberry French 75! Prepared with a spiced cranberry simple syrup and squeeze of fresh lemon juice, this recipe adds a festive twist on a classic Champagne cocktail that's perfect for any special occasion. The holiday season is about to get extra fun with this oh-so-smooth, elegant cranberry Champagne cocktail.

Check out this recipe

Now pick a few holiday cocktails to try this season and let me know your favorites! These Christmas signature cocktails are all wonderful in their own way, but I'd love to hear which ones made your holiday season extra special.

Cheers!