13 Delicious Holiday Cocktails That Your Guests Will Love!

Want to know the most delicious holiday cocktails everyone should serve at their holiday gatherings?  These are my top 13 amazing holiday cocktails that I think you should try. 

Hosting holiday parties is extremely exciting.  For me, it is a time for all of my family and friends to get together, and just enjoy each other’s company.  We all know how busy life can be, but during the holidays we finally get to unwind.

If you are anything like me, you have done all of your research to make sure that your event is a success.  From the best holiday games to the most popular desserts, you just want to make sure everything is perfect.  Through years of Google searches and testing our different recipes that I had found on the internet; I have finally found my favorites.  Here are my top holiday cocktails that my family and I swear by.

You are going to learn how to make the best holiday cocktails with the recipes that I have in store for you.  After learning about of these wonderful recipes, you are going to be a hosting pro.

This post is about the recipes, the top 13 recipes that everyone should have in their holiday cocktails arsenal! 

Best Holiday Cocktails:

1. Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Spiked gingerbread hot chocolate is so creamy and delicious.  LOL, it’s giving a child on Christmas morning.  I would have to say that out of all the holiday cocktails, this one is a fan favorite among young and old alike.  The nostalgia is so inviting and is sure to have your guests craving a second cup.

Here is what you will need for this awesome recipe:

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• pinch of salt
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or half and half
• 8 ounces milk chocolate, chopped (you can also use semisweet or dark depending on your preference)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 shots gingerbread liqueur
• chocolate whipped cream (optional)
• marshmallow bits (optional)
• gingerbread cookies (optional)

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.
• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the milk and cream.
• Bring it to a simmer, stirring every few minutes.
• Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the hot milk to the cocoa and sugar, mixing thoroughly to create a paste.
• Once the entire thing is wet, use a spatula to add it to the milk and turn the heat down to low.
• Whisk continuously until smooth (do not let it boil), then whisk in the chopped chocolate and vanilla extract.
• Add the gingerbread liqueur.
• Top with chocolate whipped cream, marshmallows, and gingerbread cookies.

2. Pomegranate Margarita

Here is a fun and refreshing drink for those who don’t mind a little tequila in your life.  After dinner you can enjoy this margarita with your favorite holiday dessert.

Check out the recipe below:

3. White Russian

Like your favorite Christmas song, this cocktail is a timeless classic.  With a smooth and creamy finish, it seems to pair well with tiramisu cake.  I can admit this one may not be for everyone, but for all of my coffee lovers, this one is a dream…

With just 4 ingredients, it could not get better!

Recipe:

• ½ cup cream or milk
• 1 oz coffee flavored liqueur
• 1 oz vodka
• 1 cup ice

Let’s Mix It Up:

• Combine cream, coffee-flavored liqueur, and vodka in a glass
• Pour over ice
• Enjoy

4. Vodka Cranberry Punch with Apple Cider Cubes

Depending on how this cocktail is prepared, it is one that the whole family can enjoy.  I typically make this a mocktail, and the kids love it!!

Here is what you will need:

• 2-3 cups apple cider
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups cranberry juice cocktail
• 1 1/2 cups vodka (Mocktail: may be left out or substituted for Sprite)
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup fresh cranberries

Recipe:

For ice cubes – Fill two ice cube trays with apple cider and freeze 8 hours or overnight. You may need a bit more or less of the cider, depending on the ice cube tray that you use.

• Meanwhile, heat the sugar, cinnamon and 1/3 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking the entire time. Cook until the mixture begins to bubble, then remove it from the heat. Allow it cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Combine the cranberry juice, vodka, orange juice, cinnamon sticks and the cinnamon simple syrup in a large punch bowl or pitcher. Stir well and refrigerate for a few hours before serving-this will marry the flavors. Before serving, add the apple cider ice cubes and cranberries to the bowl or pitcher.

(Recipe courtesy of Jessica Merchant)

5. Hot Ginger Toddy

This is my go-to when I am feeling a little under the weather.  I feel like it gives a little immune boost, that gets me up and running in no time.  If you leave out the alcohol, the kiddos will thank you for it as well.  Especially on those cold, weekend mornings when they just want to cuddle with their momma.

Check out what you will need below:

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 strip of lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 cup boiled water, divided
• 1 to 3 teaspoons of honey
• 3 tablespoons whiskey or rum
• 1 stick of cinnamon

Directions:

• Place lemon juice and lemon zest in a mug.
• Add the grated ginger to a tea strainer.  Pour ½ cup of boiling water over the tea strainer into the mug so that the ginger is fully submerged.  Cover and let sit for 10 minutes.  Remove the ginger.
• Add whiskey or rum and fill the mug with the remaining boiled water.
• Stir in honey to taste.
• Add the cinnamon stick.

6. White Christmas Margarita

This recipe is ssooo giving, Christmas in July.  It can easily transition from a winter wonder to a tropical delight, with something as simple as swapping out the garnish.  Let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

• 10 oz silver tequila
• 8 oz grand marnier
• 8 oz lime juice
• 8 oz coconut water
• 8 oz canned coconut milk
• 6 oz coconut cream
• 6 oz coconut rum
• 6 oz simple syrup

Directions:

• 1 teaspoon coconut or vanilla extract, if desired (my personal favorite is vanilla)
• for garnish: sprigs of rosemary and fresh cranberries
• Mix all ingredients together well – I find that for a large scale drink like this with something creamy (the coconut), it works best to make it in a large measuring glass or bowl and whisk it all together as opposed to shaking it. If desired, here is where you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of coconut or vanilla extract. Taste and add more syrup if you’d like more sweetness.
• Note: to make the simple syrup, combined equal parts sugar and water (like 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water) in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool completely.

7. Holiday Sangria Punch

This one if for all of my Sangria lovers. Try it an let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

• 32 oz pomegranate juice, chilled
• 2 16-oz bottles cranberry kombucha, chilled
• 1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 2 pears, diced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Julienned zest of ½ navel orange
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ liters sparkling mineral water, chilled

Recipe:

• In a large punch bowl, stir together the pomegranate juice, kombucha, orange juice, and apple cider vinegar.
• Add the cranberries, pears, lemon, orange zest and cinnamon and stir to combine.
• Stir in sparkling mineral water and serve cold. If making ahead, cover the punch and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours and only add the sparkling mineral water right before serving.

8. Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Cocktail tip:  Snuggle up with hubby by the warm fireplace and watch Hallmark movies.  With this fun holiday drink, you will feel like you are a member of the cast.  No need to thank me. Thank Erin of Platings and Pairings for this awesome recipe.

• 4 oz apple cider
• 1 ½ oz vodka
• 1/4 lime, juiced (I typically substitute the lime for lemon)
• 4-6 oz ginger beer

Mix it all together:

• Add apple cider, vodka, lime juice and ice to a copper mug. Top with ginger beer to fill. Enjoy!

9. Santa’s Eggnog Martini

It doesn’t get more festive than with this classic cocktail.  Only we are elevating this traditional drink with a martini glass and garnish.  It doesn’t get more naturally prissy than that.

You’ll need:

• 1 oz Disaronno
• 1 oz vodka (pick your favorite brand)
• 2 oz store bought eggnog
• Maraschino cherry
• Cinnamon
• Brown sugar
• Caramel syrup
• Candy cane and cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Coat the inside of a small plate with caramel syrup, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Dip the rim of a martini glass in the mixture and spin back and forth and all around until the whole rim is coated. Place the glass in the freezer.
• In a shaker with ice, add the eggnog, vodka and Disaronno. Shake for a minute. Remove glass from freezer. Place one maraschino cherry in the bottom of the glass.
• Pour mix from shaker into glass and sprinkle with cinnamon. Garnish with a candy cane and a cinnamon stick.

10. Jubilee

Created by a New Yorker, this exciting drink is perfect for fall.  With all of those delightful bubbles from the seltzer, this could even be a staple at your New Year Eve’s celebrations.

What to get:

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 1 1/2 oz dry red wine
• 1/2 oz St. George spiced pear liqueur
• 1/4 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/4 oz maple syrup
• Seltzer, chilled to top off mixer
• Garnish: pear fan and an orange slice
• Garnish: nutmeg, freshly grated

Recipe:

• Add the vodka, red wine, pear liqueur, lemon juice and maple syrup to a stemless wine glass, then fill with ice.
• Top with the seltzer and stir briefly and gently to combine.
• Garnish with a pear fan, an orange slice and freshly grated nutmeg.

11. Spiked Hot Apple Cider

Thanksgiving just a whole lot more interesting with this traditional favorite.  Serve with a side of apple cider donuts for dessert, and you’ll be deemed the best hostess in town.

• 1 quart water
• 3 orange spice tea bags
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 ½ cups light rum
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 teaspoons butter
• 6 cinnamon sticks, garnish

Instructions:

• Pour water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil
• Remove from heat and add orange spice tea bags. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
• Remove tea bags and stir in apple cider, rum, brown sugar, and 2 cinnamon sticks. Heat cider over medium-low heat until just steaming.
• Ladle hot cider into 6 mugs and drop 1/2 teaspoon butter into each. Garnish with a cinnamon “swizzle” stick.

12. Cranberry Mojito

For the cranberry simple syrup:

• 8 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar

For the mojito:

• 20 fresh mint leaves
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 4 oz cranberry simple syrup
• 4 oz white rum
• ice cubes
• 4 oz sparkling water
• Garnish (optional): fresh mint leaves, fresh cranberries, lime slices

Instructions:

• In a small saucepan combine the cranberries, water and sugar and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for about 10 minutes, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the cranberries burst and soften. Set aside and allow to cool.
• Once the mixture has cooled, strain it, pressing on the cranberries to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the cranberries or save them for another use.
• Place 10 mint leaves and 1 ½ tablespoon of lime juice into a glass. Muddle the mint in the juice by pressing the mint leaves with the end of a wooden spoon.
• Add in 2 oz of cranberry simple syrup, 2 oz of white rum and stir.
• Top with ice cubes, and 2 oz of sparkling water.
• Garnish with a few mint leaves, fresh cranberries and a slice of lime.

13. Fall Long Island

Last, but not least, here is my all-time favorite!!!  I can go on and on about this recipe, but I will let you try it for yourself.

Ice Tea Ingredients:

• 1 oz Triple Sec
• 1 oz Spiced Rum
• 1 oz Gin
• 1 oz Apple Vodka
• 4 oz Cran-Apple Juice
• 2 oz Lemon-lime Soda

Instructions:

• Add triple sec, rum, gin, vodka, and cran-apple juice to shaker.
• Shake for 20-30 seconds to combine.
• Strain equally into 2 glasses filled with ice.
• Top each with 1 oz lemon lime soda.
• Garnish with cherries or mint.

**Please note that if any recipes are not punches, they are single serve cocktails.  Please adjust the ratios according to the number of guests that you will be having**

This post was all about the best holiday cocktails to help you be as prepared as possible when you throw your own holiday gathering.

[Related post: Holiday Entertaining Tips]