37 Festive Christmas Cocktails to Keep Spirits Bright
![37 Festive Christmas Cocktails to Keep Spirits Bright](https://assets.epicurious.com/photos/5e42de430c75d50008f67dd2/16:9/w_320%2Cc_limit/Riffs_LittleItaly_HERO_020520_248_VOG_final.jpg)
Looking for the best Christmas cocktails? Whether you’re planning to pour out prosecco at the holiday party or sip awhiskey cocktailat home by the fire, these recipes will help you change up yourwinter drinkgame and reinvigorate your festive spirit. We’ve got jolly spritzes and simple stirred drinks;variations on the martiniand mulled wine; anda creamy, rum-laced drinkthat might just give eggnog a run for its money. There are holiday cocktails to go withChristmas cookies, sparklers to toast with beforeChristmas dinner, and big-batch punches for anyChristmas party.Searching fornonalcoholic options? We’ve got those too.
Once you’vestocked your home barwith a few of our favorite bottles, you’ll be ready to sip your way through the season with 37 of our most popular Christmas cocktail recipes.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell1/37
Scotchy Boulevardiers
Think of this drink as thenegroni’swintery cousin. Made with a combination of scotch and rye instead of gin, it’s bitter and boozy with a touch of smoke. It’s one of our favorite easy Christmas cocktails, especially since you can make it ahead of time.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton2/37
Mulled Wine
Don’t let the holidays pass you by without brewing up a big pot of mulled wine. This holiday punch, infused with spices, citrus zest, and even a vanilla bean, will make the whole house smell like Christmas.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/37
Gourmet’s Classic Eggnog
What makes this eggnog recipe special is its lightness. The egg whites are whipped stiff and folded into the mix, almost like clouds billowing on top of the eggnog. For a twist, try our tea-infusedFireplace Eggnogor caffeinatedNo-Sleep-Till-Santa Eggnog.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/37
Fleming Fizz
A cross between aPenicillinand aFrench 75, this cocktail is the best excuse to pull out your champagne flutes. Smoky scotch is lightened with ginger-honey syrup and a splash of sparkling wine.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova5/37
Buttered Rum Hot Chocolate
黄油添加柔软光滑的质地和安慰的味道to this special-occasion cocktail featuring bittersweet chocolate, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum, heavy cream, and freshly grated nutmeg. And yes, you should top the cups with marshmallows—preferablythe homemade variety.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton6/37
Coquito
没有新鲜奶制品这朗姆酒和cinnamon-s所需piked Puerto Rican coconut milk punch, which is made almost entirely from canned staples. For the full holiday effect, use cinnamon sticks or candy canes as drink stirrers. Any leftover punch pairs beautifully with your morning shot of espresso.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton7/37
Apples and Oranges
This winter cocktail is the best take on mulled cider we’ve ever tried. The secret: Amaro Averna, Grand Marnier, and a little salted butter.
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Thunderer
Everyone likes a spicy, gingery bourbon drink, especially at Christmas. Fresh lemon and grapefruit juice make this one bright enough to sip before dinner alongside a bowl ofspiced nuts.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton9/37
Hot Butterscotch
The rum is optional in this warming, caramelized beverage, which doubles as a special Christmas morning drink. We can tell you this much: It certainly beats that mug ofhot chocolate(unless yours isspiked with rum too—that’s a different story). Don’t forget thewhipped cream.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou10/37
Lipstick Memory
It’s red and green. It’s tart, bright, and bitter—and doesn’t require a cocktail shaker. If you’re looking for a refreshing drink recipe for your holiday party, this one from Christian Suzuki-Orellana, whom you might know fromDrink Masterson Netflix, is your move.
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Photograph by Kelly Puleio11/37
Tingly Pomegranate Rum Punch
You’ll need light rum, Sichuan peppercorns, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup for this pretty, mouth-tingling punch. If you’re feeling generous, you could fill mason jars or little bottles with the potent elixir and drop them off on your neighbors’ doorsteps.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton12/37
Warm Comfort
If you’ve never had a hot toddy made with tequila, the time is now. This version is supremely soothing and simple to make.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Katherine Lough13/37
Ponche a Crème
Epi contributor Brigid Washingtonsharedher favorite Christmas cocktail recipe with us, arguing that the creamy, rum-laced drink is nothing like eggnog—it’s better.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton. Glassware by Riedel.14/37
Little Italy
If you’ve ever wished that yourmanhattanwas a little more complex and a little less sweet, this elegant cocktail is just the thing for your celebration. In fact, we anticipate you’ll be drinking this all holiday season.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou15/37
Turmeric-Cumin Margarita
Test kitchen pro Rachel Gurjar serves this earthy, cool-weather margarita at herDiwali celebration, but we expect the golden-hued elixir will be just as popular throughout the winter holiday season.
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Photo by Kelly Puleio17/37
Perfect Circle
Sometimes, you only need a few ingredients for a great cocktail. The simple combination of sharp Campari and savory fino sherry makes for a spritz that quenches your thirst.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi18/37
Hot White Russian
Dreaming of a white Christmas? This warm version of the classic cocktail is especially appealing by the holiday fireside. It pairs well with a plate of gingerbread or peppermint bark.
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Marrakesh Express
Fresh pomegranate juiceshines as bright as the Christmas star against a backdrop of savory harissa heat and a balanced floral aroma from lemon and rosewater in this holiday drink.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Laura Rege20/37
Kitty Highball
We recommend sipping this red wine cocktail, spiked and spritzed with ginger syrup and seltzer, while putting Kelly Clarkson’s seminal Christmas albumWrapped in Redon for another spin.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton21/37
That’ll Take the Edge Off
Inspired by aSazerac, here’s an intensely boozy, herbal-Scotchy drink that’ll relax your shoulders, loosen your tongue, and clear your mind. Basically, everything you need a Christmas drink to do.
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All She Wrote
Punt e Mes, a bittersweet Italian vermouth, is the secret to this bold but low-ABV concoction. Round off the bitter edge of the vermouth with luscious maraschino liqueur, a little grapefruit liqueur, and a pinch of flaky salt.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne23/37
Jungle Bird
Featuring bitter Campari, this isnot your average tropical cocktail.朗姆酒给maple-like风味,complementing your Christmas dinner.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell24/37
Fifty-Fifty Martini
This hip-again throwback martini is made with equal parts gin and vermouth, as they were served circa 1910. To achieve the right flavor balance, use a high-proof, full-bodied gin—such as Tanqueray—that can stand up to the vermouth.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton25/37
Old-Fashioned
The old-fashioned is a time-honoredwhiskey cocktail recipedating back to the early 1800s. The simplest way to make it forgoes the muddled fruit and goes back to just sugar, bitters, spirit, and citrus peel.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton26/37
Black Apple Old-Fashioned
Forget what you remember aboutJägermeister.Here, it acts like any other bittersweet amaro, adding spice and herbal flavors to a wintry, boozy drink.
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Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo27/37
Hot Toddy
The hot toddy is a classic combination of four elements: heat, spice, sweet, and sour. Some claim this combo of hot water, clove and/or cinnamon, honey, and lemon juice helps the body defend against colds and viruses. Others just find the drink delicious. Going for extra credit? Did you know that you can actuallytoddy any cocktail?
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White Russian
Like your favorite coffee drink in boozy mode, this classic vodka cocktail gets a shot of Kahlúa and a little cream for richness. It’s especially great withcookies.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell30/37
Pomegranate Prosecco Punch
Turn prosecco into full-blownChristmas punchwith fruity, tart pomegranate juice, bright lime juice, superfine granulated sugar, and slices of fresh clementine and lime. This punch recipe contains no liquor, making it an easy-sipping option to pair withChristmas appetizers.
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Everything Good Cocktail
File under: drinks that taste likeChristmas dessert.Inspired by the classic combination of orange and chocolate, this cocktail incorporates orange liqueur, chocolate bitters, and—for a smoky note—mezcal.
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Celery Stalker
The Grinch is here to deliver a dose of…cheer? If you’re planning a particularly heavyChristmas dinner(we’re looking at you,pork roast), consider a light cocktail to start off the night, like this sparkling number. This festive cocktail also makes a nice brunch addition.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert34/37
Classic Whiskey Sour
Traditionalists will tell you that the holidays are not the time to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes, it’s best to stick to the greatest hits—like a classic whiskey sour. Enjoy by the fire on Christmas Eve.
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Photo by Kelly Puleio35/37
Sneaky Peat
Break out the crystal punch bowl. With fresh cranberries and lemon wheels bobbing prettily atop this punch, you might never guess that a devilish concoction of Scotch and bitters lays just beneath the surface.
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Mezcal Mule
With potent ginger juice instead of ginger beer, this smoky twist on a classicMoscow mulepacks a punch of spice. Garnish this fizzy drink with a sprig of fresh mint, lime, and cranberries to get it all dressed up for the holidays.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova37/37
Quick Cider-Mulled Wine
This pared-down mulled wine recipe relies on Beaujolais, brandy, fresh apple cider, star anise pods, and cinnamon sticks. The wintertime answer tosangria, this seasonal sipper is best enjoyed while sitting around a fire or Christmas tree.
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