Published: Nov 18, 2021 · Modified: Dec 3, 2023 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

18 Festive Christmas Cocktails for 2023

Your holiday season is about to get extra jolly with these 18 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 16 drinks.

A collage showing four festive Christmas cocktails with text overlay.

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

A festive Christmas cocktail on a wooden platter with fake snow and pine trees around it.

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

A Winter Wonderland Margarita on a wood board with candied rosemary and fake trees and lights in the background.

2. Sugar Plum Fairy Martini

Two Nutcracker cocktails with twinkle lights in the background.

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

Two Sugar Plum Fairy Martinis on a marble board with a nutcracker and lights behind them.

3. Cranberry-Spice Christmas Mimosa

A Christmas mimosa with pine and holly decor to the side.

Spiced Cranberry Mimosa for Christmas Morning

Pop the bubbly and sip on this spiced cranberry mimosa for Christmas morning! 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 signature cocktail for a festive brunch.

Check out this recipe

Two cranberry mimosa drinks on a wintry white surface with a bottle of Champagne and Christmas decor surrounding them.

4. Holiday Sangria

A pitcher of holiday sangria with fresh cranberries and cinnamon sticks to the side.

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

A wine glass filled with holiday sangria on a fluffy white piece of fabric with lights in the background and cranberries to the left.

5. Chai-Cranberry Bourbon Smash

A bourbon holiday cocktail with Christmas decor and candles around it.

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

A cranberry bourbon smash with Christmas decor and a bottle of bourbon in the background.

6. Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Margarita

A Christmas margarita next to sugared cranberries and twinkle lights.

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

A sparkling cranberry-ginger margarita with sugared cranberries to the side and holiday lights behind it.

7. Buddy the Elf's Maple Eggnog

A glass of maple eggnog with a Christmas tree to the side.

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

Two cups of maple eggnog on red coasters with holiday decor around them and a small Christmas tree in the background.

8. Sparkling Pomegranate Martini

Two Christmas martinis with glittery decor around them.

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

A sparkling pomegranate martini on a marble board with glittery balls around it.

9. Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Sour

A close-up shot of the cranberry bourbon sour with candles and decor to the side.

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

A spiced cranberry bourbon sour on a wooden board with candles and sugared cranberries around it.

10. Spiced Cranberry Old Fashioned

Looking down at the cocktail with the sugared cranberry and candied rosemary garnish.

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

Two spiced cranberry old fashioned cocktails with lights and sugared cranberries to the side.

11. Gingerbread Old Fashioned

A close-up of the gingerbread fashioned with sparkling lights behind it.

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

Looking down at a gingerbread old fashioned with Christmas decor and lights around it on fake snow.

12. Cranberry French 75

A cranberry French 75 on a silver platter with rosemary and cranberries around it.

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

A cranberry French 75 on a silver platter with rosemary and cranberries around it with a bottle of Champagne in the background.

13. Peppermint-Chocolate Martini

Two peppermint-chocolate martinis on a white marble countertop with grated peppermint bark all around them.

Peppermint-Chocolate Martini

‘Tis the season to give your holiday cocktail menu a sweet and jolly flair with this decadent peppermint-chocolate martini! Featuring cooling peppermint schnapps, rich chocolate liqueur and crème de cacao, this Christmas dessert martini is a favorite cocktail for any holiday party. After one sip, you’ll want to make this festive martini a Christmas tradition.

Check out this recipe

Looking down on two peppermint-chocolate martini cocktails on a white marble countertop with a Christmas tree in the background.

14. Baileys Eggnog

Two glasses of Baileys eggnog on a silver platter with glittery trees in the background.

Baileys Eggnog

Give your next holiday party an extra spirited touch with this luscious, creamy Baileys eggnog! Homemade eggnog is prepared with a medley of warm seasonal spices and rich maple syrup, and then gets a healthy dose of everyone's favorite Irish cream to add a little festive fun. The holiday season isn’t complete without whipping up a batch of Baileys and eggnog — your guests will love every decadent sip.

Check out this recipe

Two glass mugs of Baileys eggnog on a silver tray with a glittery Christmas tree in the background and holiday decor around them.

15. Gingerbread Mule

A gingerbread mule on a wooden coaster with Christmas decor and spices around it on a brown surface.

Gingerbread Mule Cocktail

Raise a glass to the most wonderful time of year with this very merry gingerbread mule cocktail! Made with a homemade gingerbread simple syrup, spicy ginger beer, fresh lime juice and your favorite spirit, this Christmas mule is full of the holiday season's best flavors, and it couldn't be simpler to whip up. Plus, it comes with an option for batching for easy entertaining.

Check out this recipe

16. Christmas Cranberry Moscow Mule

A cranberry Moscow mule on a wooden tray with holiday lights in the background and decor around it.

Christmas Cranberry Moscow Mule

Add some holiday cheer to the most wonderful time of year with this Christmas cranberry Moscow mule! For extra seasonal flavor, this holiday mule gets a double dose of cranberry with both a spiced cranberry simple syrup and cranberry juice. Your holiday celebration will feel extra merry when this cranberry mule is on the cocktail menu.

Check out this recipe

Two Christmas cranberry Moscow mule cocktails on a wooden platter with burlap and sugared cranberries and rosemary around them with lights in the background.

17. Gingerbread Margarita

An arm in a red Christmas sweater reaching out to pick up the gingerbread margarita on a wooden plate with holiday decor around it.

Gingerbread Margarita

Turn everyone’s favorite tequila cocktail into the perfect holiday sipper with this gingerbread margarita! A homemade gingerbread simple syrup gives this Christmas margarita a burst of warm seasonal spices while the fresh lime juice and orange liqueur add just the right brightness. You’ll want to serve this signature Christmas cocktail at every holiday party.

Check out this recipe

A gingerbread margarita with holiday decor around it with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled around it.

18. Bourbon Eggnog

A close-up of a bourbon eggnog on a wooden platter with mini Christmas trees to the left and a bundle of cinnamon sticks to the right.

Spiced Bourbon Eggnog

Enjoy the holiday season with a big batch of this spiced bourbon eggnog! A creamy homemade eggnog is steeped with warm spices and spiked with sweet, rich bourbon to make one decadent Christmas cocktail. Bourbon lovers will want to indulge in this eggnog all season long.

Check out this recipe

Looking down on a glass of bourbon eggnog with twinkling lights in the background and spices and Christmas decor around the drink.

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!

Please let me know how you enjoyed these recipes in the comment section and don't forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also catch me on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

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