It’s Christmas happy hour time! And I have the one and only list you’ll need to make the best Christmas cocktails. The recipes on this list are so simple to make. No matter how large or small your gathering is, there’s the perfect cocktail for everyone.
It’s safe to say that a Christmas party isn’t complete without a solid holiday cocktail (or mocktail). The best Christmas cocktails are festive, have seasonally appropriate ingredients, and should be easy to make! Who wants to spend all of their time making cocktails for everyone when there’s a party to join?!
These Easy Christmas Cocktails are quick, simple, and fun. I’ve got everything from a classic and calming Maple Old Fashioned to a bubbly and bright Cranberry Mimosa. Some of these recipes you can even make ahead of time!
What Makes a Cocktail Ideal for Christmas?
I’m looking for a few key things when I’m picking out my Christmas cocktail recipes:
- It has to have festive and/or seasonal ingredients. I’m not really interested in a tropical smoothie drink at Christmas time. I want flavor from things like deep berries, maple, and herbs.
- Simple to make. I love spending time in the kitchen and at the bar tweaking recipes until their perfect, but not all of the time! I want my Christmas cocktails to be easy to make so that I can spend time with my family and friends.
- Ingredients need to be easy to find. I don’t have time to be driving all over the place looking for peculiar liquors. These recipes have simple, affordable, and easily-accessible ingredients.
Tips for Making Christmas Cocktails in Advance
The real joy about some of these cocktails (no pun intended!) is that they can be made ahead of time. Here are some tips to keep in mind when making drinks in advance:
- Don’t add the bubbly! If you are making a bubbly drink ahead of time, mix the non-carbonated ingredients first and then add the bubbles right before serving.
- Don’t add ice…yet. Save the ice for when you’re ready to serve so that it doesn’t dilute your drink.
- Invest in a pretty pitcher. What better time to treat yourself to a festive cocktail pitcher that will wow your guests and keep your pre-made cocktail fresh and delicious?
- Label everything. Your fridge is bound to be filled with all sorts of sauces, syrups, kid-friendly drinks, etc. this holiday season. Always be sure to label any pre-made alcoholic drinks so you can keep track of it and be sure you’re serving the right thing.
24 Easy Christmas Cocktail Recipes
Below you’ll find my best Christmas cocktails! As promised, there’s something for everyone.
Easy Holiday Cranberry Sangria
I can’t get over the deep maroon hue of this Cranberry Sangria! Not only is it gorgeous, but it’s delicious! It has fresh citrus, brandy, cranberry, and hints of cinnamon. It’s a festive sangria that can be made ahead of time and is perfect for the holidays!
Festive Spiked Cranberry Mulled Apple Cider
This Hot Spiked Cranberry Mulled Cider recipe is the perfect holiday drink for a crowd. Plus, it’s made in the Crockpot so it’s super simple! It has apple cider, cranberry juice, cinnamon, clove, star anise, and orange slices, and then it’s spiked with spiced rum. Yum!
Festive Holiday Pomegranate Gin Cocktail
This Holiday Pomegranate Gin Cocktail looks and tastes like Christmas! A refreshing and easy gin cocktail filled with orange, pomegranate, honey, and fresh thyme. It’s a great cocktail to serve at your next Christmas party.
The Best Smooth Espresso Martini
This Chilled Espresso Martini Recipe is made with espresso, coffee liquor, vodka, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. It’s the perfect Christmas dessert cocktail!
Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail
This Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail is a great option for when you want a non-alcoholic drink. It’s refreshing and fruity from the pineapple, but also has a warm ginger flavor. Add a dash of cinnamon for an extra holiday kick!
Lemon Drop Martini
This Lemon Drop Martini has fresh lemon juice, smooth vodka, Cointreau, and a lemony sugared rim. It’s tart, a little sweet, and a great citrus holiday cocktail option.
French Martini
An Easy French Martini is the recipe to keep on hand when you need a break from the berries and cinnamon. It’s a smooth and easy cocktail that is perfect for New Year’s Eve!
Crockpot Hot Apple Cider
This Crockpot Hot Apple Cider recipe is the perfect cozy drink to have in your hand this holiday season. Plus, it’s so easy to make. The slow cooker does all the work! It’s a great non-alcoholic option or you can add some bourbon to it!
Blood Orange Margarita
This Blood Orange Margarita has that deep red hue that just screams Christmas! Using blood oranges to flavor this holiday cocktail adds a new sweet and tart flavor to a traditional margarita. It’s beautiful and delicious!
Apple Cider Moscow Mule
These Apple Cider Moscow Mules have a little cinnamon and apple flavor making it a refreshing and festive cocktail. The fresh apple cider adds a warm tart flavor that you’re going to love!
Holiday Spiced Mulled Wine
Wow your guests with this Holiday Spiced Mulled Wine recipe. It’s perfect for serving on those cold winter nights. Your friends and family are going to love the deep and developed flavor. It’s fruity, comforting, and just so delicious.
Pomegranate Margarita
This Pomegranate Margarita is an easy cocktail recipe made with fresh ingredients. Plus, it’s so pretty! It has a beautiful red hue making it a festive and fun holiday margarita.
Apple Cider Mimosas
You only need two ingredients to make these Apple Cider Mimosas. It’s a great cocktail to have on hand for Christmas brunch or a last-minute get-together with the girls!
Holiday Spiked Eggnog
This dairy-free Holiday Spiked Eggnog is made with amaretto and white rum. It’s creamy and delicious. I love this healthy take on a holiday classic!
Fresh Cranberry Mojito
Fresh Cranberry Mojitos are so easy to make in a pitcher! It’s a great party cocktail recipe for a holiday dinner or a simple cozy night in! Your friends are going to love trying this revitalized summer cocktail that’s now a new winter favorite!
Sparkling Pomegranate Mimosas
These Sparkling Pomegranate Mimosas are perfect for Christmas morning brunch. They are tart, bubbly, and slightly sweet. Don’t forget the rosemary garnish!
5 Minute Festive Cranberry Gin Moscow Mule
This refreshing Cranberry Gin Moscow Mule has contrasting flavors like warm ginger and tart cranberry. It’s fun, festive, and easy to make for your next holiday happy hour.
Easy Low Calorie Lime Mint Kombucha Cocktail
Try something different with my Mint Kombucha Cocktail. It’s a healthy choice that’s low in calories and made with vodka, fresh orange juice, kombucha, mint, and white wine. Swap the vodka and white wine with some seltzer and it’s a festive mocktail recipe!
Harvest Apple Bourbon Cocktail
My Harvest Apple Bourbon Cocktail has cinnamon-infused Bourbon mixed with apple juice and topo chico. It’s light, warming, and so easy to make!
Easy White Christmas Margarita Pitcher Recipe
Who says you can’t have margaritas at Christmas time? It’s the best of both worlds! This beautiful creamy coconut margarita with lime juice, tequila, coconut water and cranberries is easy to make for a crowd.
Spiked Hot Apple Cider Cocktail
Spiked Hot Apple Cider is perfect for both Christmas and Thanksgiving! It’s made with all of the warming spices like cinnamon sticks, star anise, clove, allspice, fresh oranges, and a spiced rum to warm you right up! Perfect as a post-sledding treat!
The Ultimate Holiday Sangria Pitcher
The Ultimate Holiday Sangria is filled with citrus, pomegranate, pear and cinnamon for one irresistible cocktail! It’s a simple recipe to make for your Christmas party. Everyone is going to love it!
Easy Maple Old Fashioned
This simple recipe adds a sweet maple twist to a classic bourbon mixed drink. It’s one of my favorites on a chilly December evening. Sit back and sip on one of these classic cocktails while you admire the Christmas tree!
Easy Festive Cranberry Mimosa
Festive Cranberry Mimosas make the perfect holiday cocktail. This easy mimosa recipe uses tart cranberry juice, sparkling champagne, and a sugar lime-rimmed glass for the ultimate sip. The rosemary garnish really tops it all off!
