19 Christmas Alcoholic Drink Recipes to Get the Party Started

Get ready to raise your glass and toast to the most wonderful time of the year with these 19 Christmas alcoholic drink recipes that are guaranteed to get any holiday party started.

From sparkling cocktails and creamy liqueurs to warming punches and festive twists on classics, these drinks bring the joy, flavor, and sparkle your celebrations deserve.

Whether you’re hosting a lively gathering or a cozy get-together, these holiday sippers will keep spirits bright all season long.

1. Christmas Cranberry Punch

This vibrant punch blends cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and sparkling wine for a refreshing and festive drink that’s ideal for parties.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups cranberry juice
2. 1 cup orange juice
3. 1/2 cup orange liqueur
4. 1 bottle sparkling wine
5. Fresh cranberries and orange slices, for garnish

Steps:

1. Combine cranberry juice, orange juice, and liqueur in a large pitcher.
2. Chill, then top with sparkling wine before serving.
3. Garnish with cranberries and orange slices.

2. Spiked Hot Chocolate

Rich, creamy, and indulgent, this adult hot chocolate is spiked with your favorite liqueur for extra holiday warmth.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups milk
2. 2 oz dark chocolate, chopped
3. 1 oz Baileys or Kahlúa
4. Whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for garnish

Steps:

1. Heat milk and chocolate in a saucepan until melted and smooth.
2. Stir in Baileys and pour into mugs.
3. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

3. Candy Cane Martini

Sweet, minty, and perfectly festive, this peppermint martini looks as good as it tastes ideal for holiday parties.

Ingredients:

1. 1 oz vanilla vodka
2. 1 oz peppermint schnapps
3. 1 oz white crème de cacao
4. Crushed candy canes, for rimming

Steps:

1. Rim a martini glass with crushed candy canes.
2. Shake ingredients with ice and strain into the glass.

4. Holiday Rum Punch

This tropical-inspired rum punch brings a splash of sunshine to winter with a mix of citrus, pineapple, and dark rum.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup dark rum
2. 2 cups pineapple juice
3. 1 cup orange juice
4. 1/4 cup grenadine
5. Orange slices and cherries, for garnish

Steps:

1. Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl with ice.
2. Stir gently and garnish before serving.

5. Gingerbread Old Fashioned

A cozy, spiced twist on the classic Old Fashioned featuring the flavors of molasses, ginger, and cinnamon.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz bourbon
2. 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup
3. Dash of bitters
4. Cinnamon stick and orange peel, for garnish

Steps:

1. Stir bourbon, syrup, and bitters over ice.
2. Strain into a glass and garnish.

6. White Christmas Sangria

Light, fruity, and festive, this white sangria combines white wine, apple, pear, and a splash of brandy.

Ingredients:

1. 1 bottle white wine
2. 1/2 cup brandy
3. 1/4 cup triple sec
4. 1 apple, sliced
5. 1 pear, sliced
6. Cranberries for garnish

Steps:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher.
2. Chill for 2–3 hours and serve over ice.

7. Peppermint Bark Shot

This layered shot tastes just like the popular holiday treat creamy, minty, and sweet.

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 oz chocolate liqueur
2. 1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
3. 1/2 oz Irish cream

Steps:

1. Layer ingredients carefully in a shot glass.
2. Serve immediately.

8. Christmas Cosmopolitan

A cranberry-forward cocktail with a festive red hue and a splash of lime sophisticated yet simple.

Ingredients:

1. 1 1/2 oz vodka
2. 1 oz cranberry juice
3. 1/2 oz triple sec
4. 1/2 oz lime juice

Steps:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with cranberries.

9. Hot Mulled Cider with Rum

Warm and comforting, this spiced cider with a splash of rum is perfect for chilly Christmas evenings.

Ingredients:

1. 4 cups apple cider
2. 2 cinnamon sticks
3. 4 cloves
4. 1/2 cup dark rum
5. Orange slices, for garnish

Steps:

1. Heat cider with spices for 15 minutes.
2. Stir in rum and serve warm.

10. Sparkling Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail

Effervescent and elegant, this cocktail combines tart cranberry juice with crisp prosecco for a beautiful holiday toast.

Ingredients:

1. 1 oz cranberry juice
2. 1/2 oz orange liqueur
3. Prosecco, to top
4. Cranberries and rosemary, for garnish

Steps:

1. Pour cranberry juice and liqueur into a flute.
2. Top with prosecco and garnish.

11. Spiked Eggnog Latte

A festive fusion of coffee and classic eggnog, this drink delivers a comforting blend of caffeine and cheer.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup eggnog
2. 1/2 cup brewed coffee
3. 1 oz spiced rum
4. Whipped cream and nutmeg, for garnish

Steps:

1. Combine eggnog and coffee, then stir in rum.
2. Top with whipped cream and nutmeg.

12. Winter Bourbon Smash

Sweet and citrusy, this bourbon cocktail features the bold flavors of lemon, maple, and cranberry.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz bourbon
2. 1 oz lemon juice
3. 1/2 oz maple syrup
4. 1 oz cranberry juice
5. Ice

Steps:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with cranberries.

13. Toasted Marshmallow Martini

A dessert-inspired cocktail with vanilla vodka and Irish cream that tastes like a winter campfire treat.

Ingredients:

1. 1 oz vanilla vodka
2. 1 oz Irish cream
3. 1 oz milk
4. Toasted marshmallow, for garnish

Steps:

1. Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
2. Garnish with a toasted marshmallow.

14. Christmas Sangria Rosé

Fruity, sparkling, and festive, this rosé-based sangria is a crowd favorite.

Ingredients:

1. 1 bottle rosé wine
2. 1/2 cup brandy
3. 1/2 cup cranberry juice
4. 1 cup mixed berries
5. Club soda, to top

Steps:

1. Combine all ingredients except soda and chill.
2. Add soda before serving.

15. Maple Irish Coffee

A cozy and sweet take on classic Irish coffee with a touch of maple syrup for seasonal flavor.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup hot coffee
2. 1 oz Irish whiskey
3. 1 tbsp maple syrup
4. Whipped cream, for topping

Steps:

1. Combine coffee, whiskey, and maple syrup.
2. Stir and top with whipped cream.

16. Cranberry Tequila Spritz

A bright and tangy cocktail with tequila, lime, and cranberry for a lively Christmas twist.

Ingredients:

1. 1 1/2 oz tequila
2. 1 oz cranberry juice
3. 1/2 oz lime juice
4. Sparkling water, to top

Steps:

1. Shake tequila, juices, and ice.
2. Pour into a glass and top with sparkling water.

17. Spiced Pomegranate Mule

A zesty holiday mule with pomegranate and ginger beer that packs flavor and sparkle.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz vodka
2. 1 oz pomegranate juice
3. 1/2 oz lime juice
4. Ginger beer, to top

Steps:

1. Build in a copper mug with ice.
2. Stir and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

18. Chocolate Cherry Manhattan

A rich, indulgent take on the Manhattan with chocolate bitters and cherry liqueur for holiday flair.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz bourbon
2. 1/2 oz cherry liqueur
3. 2 dashes chocolate bitters

Steps:

1. Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
2. Garnish with a cherry.

19. Christmas Sparkle Cocktail

A simple yet stunning drink that combines vodka, cranberry, and champagne for the perfect holiday toast.

Ingredients:

1. 1 oz vodka
2. 1 oz cranberry juice
3. Champagne, to top
4. Cranberries for garnish

Steps:

1. Combine vodka and cranberry juice in a glass.
2. Top with chilled champagne and garnish.