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35 Best Christmas Cocktails to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

A glass will fill you with good cheer.

By Ariana Phillips Tessier and
christmas cocktails
Danielle Daly

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After all that last-minute shopping, cookie baking, and Christmas dinner prep, you’re probably ready to sit down and relax with a cocktail in hand. Enter: these festive Christmas cocktails to get you in the holiday spirit! Whether you’re cozying up with a hot drink in front of the fireplace or mixing up a big batch Christmas punch recipe for your holiday party, this list has something for every occasion.

For those planning Christmas brunch, you might want to go for the morning punch or add a holiday twist to a mimosa by adding cranberry. Looking to complement your Christmas desserts with a sweet holiday-flavored cocktail? Try the gingerbread martini or homemade eggnog—they all make perfect after-dinner drinks to sip on in front of the glowing Christmas tree. There’s even a sugar cookie martini to enjoy with those freshly baked cookies you worked so hard on!

You'll also find quite a few champagne cocktails on this list, because opening bubbly is an automatic celebration in itself. And if you're hosting a crowd of all ages, there are a few ideas here where you can skip the spirits or use non-alcoholic versions and voilà: you have a round of non-alcoholic Christmas drinks. Just make sure you label which batch is which to avoid confusion. Then all that's left to do is clink glasses and say, "cheers" to the holiday season!

    1

    Mistletoe Martini

    mistletoe martini christmas cocktails
    C.W. Newell

    There's no smooching required under this garnish, but you'll definitely want to pucker up! Cranberry juice and elderflower liqueur make this drink a little tart, a little sweet, and a little floral.

    Get the Mistletoe Martini recipe.

    SHOP COUPE GLASSES

    2

    Christmas Margarita

    margarita christmas cocktails
    C.W. Newell

    This snowy cocktail will get you in the holiday spirit whether it's a white Christmas or not! It also has a tropical twist with the flavor of coconut to warm you right up.

    Get the Christmas Margarita recipe.

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    3

    Raspberry Sorbet Spritz

    raspberry sorbet spritz christmas cocktails
    Will Dickey

    Scoops of raspberry sorbet meet sparkling wine in this fruity and fizzy cocktail. Add fresh mint leaves to garnish and you'll be right on theme with a pretty red and green glass!

    Get the Raspberry Sorbet Spritz recipe.

    4

    Homemade Irish Cream

    homemade irish cream christmas cocktails
    C.W. Newell

    This rich, creamy liqueur is perfect for coffee lovers! Simply stir some into a mug for an Irish coffee or serve it straight over ice. Either way, you can store it in your fridge for any time you're craving a decadent sip.

    Get Ree's Homemade Irish Cream recipe.

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    5

    Gingerbread Martini

    gingerbread martini christmas cocktails
    Danielle Daly

    If you love Christmas cookies, then this drink is for you! It's creamy, spiced, and perfectly sweet—especially when you top each glass with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cookie crumbs.

    Get the Gingerbread Martini recipe.

    SHOP MARTINI GLASSES

    6

    Sugar Cookie Martini

    sugar cookie martini christmas cocktails
    Danielle Daly

    The sweet, warm flavors of vanilla, butterscotch, and Irish cream liquor make this martini taste just like dessert! Don't forget to decorate the glass rim with frosting and sprinkles just like you would your favorite holiday sugar cookie.

    Get the Sugar Cookie Martini recipe.

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    7

    Cranberry Margarita

    cranberry margarita christmas cocktails
    Danielle Daly

    You'll want to put this red and green margarita on repeat all winter long. It's loaded with sweet-tart cranberry and lime juices with fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish.

    Get the Cranberry Margarita recipe.

    8

    Cosmopolitan Cocktail

    cosmopolitan christmas cocktails
    Antonis Achilleos

    It's always a good time for a cosmo! With a splash of seasonal cranberry and orange, it's actually perfect for the holidays if you think about it.

    Get the Cosmopolitan Cocktail recipe.

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    9

    French 75 Cocktail

    french 75 christmas cocktails
    Hector Manuel Sanchez

    Pop open that bottle of bubbly and cheers to a happy holiday season with this refreshing classic cocktail. With the zing of gin and lemon, you'll enjoy every sip.

    Get the French 75 Cocktail recipe.

    10

    Champagne Punch

    champagne punch christmas cocktails
    Danielle Daly

    This drink is sparkly and great for a crowd! It looks so festive in a punch bowl with cranberries and orange slices merrily bobbling along.

    Get the Champagne Punch recipe.

    SHOP PUNCH BOWLS

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    11

    Peppermint Martini

    peppermint martini christmas cocktails
    Will Dickey

    You only need three ingredients to make this creamy, minty drink. Also, the candy cane garnish is optional, but it's an easy way to make it extra festive.

    Get the Peppermint Martini recipe.

    12

    Spicy Cowgirl Martini

    spicy cowgirl martini christmas cocktails
    Ryan Liebe

    If you need a kick to keep going during the busy holidays, look no further. This cocktail is like a hot take on an espresso martini―literally! It has chile syrup and a sprinkle of cayenne.

    Get Ree's Spicy Cowgirl Martini recipe.

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    13

    Wassail

    wassail christmas cocktails
    Danielle Daly

    It's no wonder this punch has been a popular choice in England for centuries. Warm spices, apple cider, cranberry juice, and bourbon make this drink the one of the coziest of the season.

    Get the Wassail recipe.

    14

    Sparkling Margarita

    sparkling margarita christmas cocktails
    Will Dickey

    If you prefer the taste of a classic margarita, here's a twist to make it festive: Just add bubbles! A splash of sparkling wine gives it an instantly festive feel.

    Get the Sparkling Margarita recipe.

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    15

    Pomegranate Martini

    pomegranate martini christmas cocktails
    Danielle Daly

    This jewel-toned cocktails is sweet, tart, and tangy. You can add fresh pomegranate seeds to each glass to make them shimmer and shine. And don't forget the twist of orange!

    Get the Pomegranate Martini recipe.

    SHOP COCKTAIL SHAKERS

    16

    Milk Punch

    milk punch christmas cocktails
    Will Dickey

    Milk punch is a New Orleans favorite! It's basically a creamy cocktail made with bourbon, half-and-half, and vanilla syrup. Think of it as an easier eggnog alternative!

    Get the Milk Punch recipe.

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    17

    Caramel Apple Martini

    caramel apple martini christmas cocktails
    Danielle Daly

    Just like an actual caramel apple, this drink is loaded with sweet-tart flavor. It's made with vodka and butterscotch schnapps which also has a caramelized taste.

    Get the Caramel Apple Martini recipe.

    18

    Espresso Martini

    espresso martini christmas cocktails
    Will Dickey

    Nothing makes that late-night move of your Elf on the Shelf more enjoyable than an espresso martini! It'll give you the pick-me-up you need while also feeling like a special occasion.

    Get the Espresso Martini recipe.

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    19

    Hot Buttered Rum

    hot buttered rum christmas cocktails
    Caitlin Bensel

    Warm apple pie-spiced butter is the key ingredient in this seasonal drink. If you really want to make it seasonal, just substitute all or part of the water with warm apple cider instead.

    Get the Hot Buttered Rum recipe.

    20

    Cranberry Mimosa

    cranberry mimosa christmas cocktails
    Caitlin Bensel

    Cranberry juice gives this bubbly beverage a bright pop of color and festively tangy flavor. Whether or not you're hosting brunch, it's the perfect way to celebrate Christmas morning.

    Get the Cranberry Mimosa recipe.

    SHOP CHAMPAGNE GLASSES

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