10 Best Holiday Cocktails for Celebrating
Christmas is ten days from today. New Year’s Eve follows a week later. It’s the most celebratory time of the year. To help you prepare, I’ve found more than 10 best holiday cocktails for celebrating the season.
Christmas parties have begun but there is still time to host a celebration during the Christmas season.
There’s just something enchanting about this time of year – the warmth of festive gatherings and of course, the unmistakable clink of glasses filled with holiday cheer.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate Christmas get-together or a dazzling New Year’s Eve bash, the perfect holiday cocktail can elevate the entire experience.
I’ve curated a list of the 10 best holiday cocktails that are sure to make your celebrations unforgettable.
From classic concoctions, like homemade eggnog, to trendy sips that bring a modern twist to tradition, there is a holiday cocktail recipe in this post that you will love to serve family and friends.
I hope that you’ll find a new cocktail you will love to serve. I bet that one of these beverages will become a holiday favorite.
I’ve also sprinkled in some entertaining ideas and suggestions to make your celebrations truly spectacular.
Essential Bar Equipment for Your Next Holiday Party
You may not have a bar cart in your home. Any space, like a console table, credenza, or even your kitchen counter or dining room table, will be a nice place to host holiday gatherings.
Set up your bar area before your party begins. Use a pretty tablecloth to protect your surface and add a festive flair for this special occasion.
TIP: Choose a few delicious drinks for your guests: a welcome drink of the day, a juice-based signature cocktail, and a creamy cocktail as an after-dinner drink.
Having the right tools and equipment will make preparing your festive cocktails during the holiday season easier for you and your guests. Here are some essential bar tools.
- cocktail shaker – at least two
- ounce-size liquid measuring cups
- a pretty punch bowl – can be used for a Christmas punch or as a big ice bucket
- generic wine glasses
- cocktail stirrer
- citrus juicer
- pitcher for holding water and juices
- swizzle sticks for guests
- pretty straws
- cocktail napkins
Check out this extensive bar supply list.
Use this Essential Bar Supplies checklist to help you set up your bar for making the best Christmas cocktails.
Essential Cocktail Ingredients
Having a well-stocked bar with basic liqueurs goes without saying. Bourbon, vodka, gin, scotch, and tequila are the basis for most cocktails.
The list below are items that especially lend themselves to festive Christmas cocktails.
- brown sugar for garnish
- maple syrup
- simple syrup – equal parts sugar and water heated until the sugar dissolves
- cinnamon sticks for garnish
- pomegranate juice
- cranberry juice
- orange juice
- rosemary sprigs
- fresh cranberries
- heavy cream
- orange slices for garnish
- half-and-half
- sprig of fresh rosemary for garnish
- fresh lime juice
- fresh lemons for garnish
- granulated sugar for garnish
- sparkling wine
It is also a good idea to have bottled water or pitchers of iced water for guests. A variety of sodas is also a nice addition for non-alcoholic Christmas drinks.
TIP: Always have plenty of ice on hand. Supplement your own ice with store-bought. It’s one thing you never want to run out of.
This resource from yours truly will make your holiday entertaining a success: 21 Tips for Holiday Etiquette.
Christmas and New Year Cocktails to Celebrate the Holidays
Ready for my collection of the best cocktail recipes?
Get ready to clink, sip, and savor your way into the most wonderful time of the year. Cheers to festive memories and sharing 10 of the best Christmas cocktail recipes.
Welcome to Bluesky Browsing #117.
In case you are new to Bluesky at Home, what fabulous finds do I share at Bluesky Browsing?
- ideas to help you in your home decor efforts
- fun holiday decoration ideas
- ideas for better organization and efficiency
- a yummy recipe or cocktail
- fun DIY projects
- the latest trends in home decor
- a quirky new find or two
Best Holiday Cocktails: 10+ Beverages to Celebrate the Holidays
Enjoy them all.
Campfire Christmas Cocktail
Jacquelyn of Jacquelyn Clark describes this cocktail as “a totally tasty, beyond indulgent, ridiculously easy, campfire cocktail. It’s Christmas in a glass”. And isn’t it so pretty!
Winter Wonderland Margarita
Amanda of Burrata and Bubbles shares how to make this pretty take on a classic margarita with sweet and savory rosemary simple syrup and bright white coconut milk
Puerto Rico Rum Eggnog
Is anything more iconic at Christmas time than eggnog? Bella of XOXO Bella shares this modern version with Puerto Rican rum.
Cranberry Paloma Cocktail
Cranberries are another Christmas season flavor. Kristin of Joy and Oliver creates this ruby red cocktail with cranberry juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice, tequila, and a touch of spiced simple syrup. This is the ultimate festive Christmas cocktail.
Gingerbread Martini
The flavor of gingerbread is a favorite at the holidays. Lauren of Delicious Little Bites shares a seasonal recipe for a delicious after-dinner drink that is simple to follow, quick to make, and requires only three ingredients.
Pear Noel Cocktail
I love a cocktail with pear juice or pear liqueur. Yvonne of Taste and Tipple used pear juice for this festive cocktail. Pears are in season in December so it’s a great alternative to the more expected choice of apple cider.
White Chocolate Martini
Topped with dark chocolate shavings, this pretty white chocolate cocktail can be sipped all winter long. Amanda of I Am Baker loves to serve this cold, refreshing drink at a holiday party or any winter gathering.
Gingerbread Run Cocktail
Faith of An Edible Mosaic blends the festive flavors of gingerbread and eggnog with vanilla ice cream and spiced rum for a holiday treat that’s equally decadent and delicious.
Mistletoe Cranberry Margarita
Melissa of A Grateful Meal creates the perfect big-batch cocktail to serve at any of your holiday parties and festivities. They’re perfect to make ahead, so you’re not stuck playing bartender at your next holiday party.
Be sure to check out my Pinterest Christmas Cocktails and Beverages Board for a delicious collection of more holiday cocktails.
I hope you PIN this post, visit each selection, and PIN each one.
For 19 more delicious Christmas and holiday cocktails, visit and Pin these posts:
- 12 Fabulous Christmas Cocktail Ideas
- Pretty Christmas Sangria
- 5 Champagne Cocktails for the Holidays
- Favorite Pear Martini for Winter Sipping
- 15 Proven Holiday Entertaining Shortcuts
Don’t forget to serve responsibly and drink responsibly.
I’d love to know what subjects you are most curious about. Let me know in the comments and I’ll search browse for them. Be sure to PIN to keep these ideas handy.
I’ll be browsing away between writing posts, listening to podcasts, reading, doing various blogging tasks, playing tennis, and walking Nola.
These cocktails look tasty and oh so festive! Thanks for sharing Carol.