35 Best Winter Cocktails That’ll Warm You Right Up
Liven up a cold day with these winter cocktail recipes!
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Winter truly earns its reputation as one of the most magical times of the year! Between festive holiday parties and cozying up by the fire, the season is full of joy. To elevate the merriment, why not sip on a spirited winter cocktail? Whip up a batch of cocktails featuring beloved holiday flavors like gingerbread, peppermint, or sugar cookie. Or, for a festive touch to your evening, make a Christmas cocktail, like the mistletoe martini or Christmas margarita. These winter cocktails are perfect for spreading cheer all season long—especially as you ring in the New Year.
If you're a fan of sweet hot drinks, there are plenty of options like the spiked Crock-Pot hot chocolate or the hot buttered rum—they make for deliciously cozy after-dinner drinks. But there's also a handful of wonderful brunch cocktails here that are perfect for holidays! Think: a Bloody Mary made with tequila instead of vodka or eggnog cocktails. No matter which drink you choose, now is the time to make use of seasonal fruits like winter citrus, cranberries, and apples. You're guaranteed to find dozens of ways to use winter fruits in these cocktails. And if those weren't enough, you'll find a few non-alcoholic Christmas drinks for the whole family.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail
The winter season is always a good time to lean into nostalgia, and this classic cocktail is the perfect way to do so. The popular pink drink features a zippy combination of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
Get the Cosmopolitan Cocktail recipe.
Spicy Cowgirl Martini
Spice up the season with a coffee-infused cowgirl martini! It's the ideal blend of boozy—thanks to coffee liqueur, chocolate cream liqueur, and vodka—and sweet, with plenty of espresso and cream. The chile syrup and cayenne take the cocktail to new heights!
Get Ree's Spicy Cowgirl Martini recipe.
Raspberry Sorbet Spritz
Any cocktail involving bubbly is a "yes" during the holiday season. This pretty pink drink calls for two easy ingredients: raspberry sorbet and sparkling rosé!
Get the Raspberry Sorbet Spritz recipe.
Mistletoe Martini
Stand under the mistletoe—or with one of these mistletoe martinis in hand—at your next Christmas party! This festive cocktail features a base of vodka and cranberry, with an infusion of floral flavor from a dash of elderflower liqueur. The "holly" garnish made of fresh cranberries and mint leaves is a must!
Get the Mistletoe Martini recipe.
Christmas Margarita
Make your own white Christmas with a round of these snowy margaritas! The blend of coconut, lime juice, orange liqueur, and tequila is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
Get the Christmas Margarita recipe.
Sugar Cookie Martini
You can have your sugar cookies and drink them, too! This indulgent martini features a mix of vanilla vodka, Irish cream liqueur, butterscotch schnapps, and half-and-half for a creamy, sippable delight. It's finished with a frosted, sprinkle-coated rim for extra whimsy.
Get the Sugar Cookie Martini recipe.
Wassail
Not only will this spiced cider warm you right up, but it'll make your house smell like the holidays! The traditional English Christmas drink is infused with fresh orange, lemon, roasted apples, and lots of spice.
Get the Wassail recipe.
Milk Punch
This creamy, bourbon vanilla cocktail is a New Orleans favorite for good reason! It's like eggnog, but without the eggs.
Get the Milk Punch recipe.
Pomegranate Martini
What could be more festive than this ruby red elixir? Made with pomegranate juice, vodka, and orange liqueur, it's the perfect blend of sweet and tart.
Get the Pomegranate Martini recipe.
Cranberry Margarita
Margaritas aren't just for warm weather! This cranberry-infused cocktail, complete with a snowy white salt rim, is just waiting to be sipped at your next winter gathering.
Get the Cranberry Margarita recipe.
Peppermint Martini
You only need three ingredients to make this sweet holiday cocktail. Of course, if you want it to be extra festive, you can garnish the rim with red sanding sugar and a candy cane.
Get the Peppermint Martini recipe.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
This rich chocolate drink gets a subtle kick from the cinnamon and cayenne, but if you want to take things one step further, simply add a splash of spiced rum!
Get the Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe.
Gingerbread Martini
A sweet and spiced homemade gingerbread syrup is the key to making this cocktail taste just like a gingerbread cookie! Then, the vodka and creme de cacao make it rich, boozy, and creamy.
Get the Gingerbread Martini recipe.
Hot Buttered Rum
Spiced melted butter gives this warm drink a luxuriously rich and decadent flavor. It's the perfect drink to serve in your favorite Christmas mug.
Get the Hot Buttered Rum recipe.
Bloody Maria
Whether it's New Year's Day brunch or a game day watch party, this twist on a Bloody Mary is sure to be a hit. Note: it's made with tequila instead of vodka!
Get the Bloody Maria recipe.
Cranberry Martini
A homemade ginger simple syrup gives this sweet-tart cocktail even more holiday flavor. Be sure to garnish each drink with fresh or frozen cranberries and a lime twist for red and green color.
Get the Cranberry Martini recipe.
Caramel Apple Martini
Don't be shy with the caramel drizzle in this apple martini recipe. It's the sweet finishing touch that will have everyone asking for more!
Get the Caramel Apple Martini recipe.
Crock-Pot Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate on its own is delicious, but add Irish cream liqueur to the Crock-Pot and you'll have a cozy cocktail that's perfect for sipping on in front of the fire.
Get the Crock-Pot Hot Chocolate recipe.
Cranberry Mimosa
Here's a fun twist on a classic bubbly drink! Instead of orange juice, the mimosa is made with seasonal cranberry juice and pineapple orange juice instead.
Get the Cranberry Mimosa recipe.
Orange Crush Cocktail
This brunch cocktail is like sipping on sunshine. And who couldn't use some of that during the grey days of winter? Make sure to use fresh orange juice for this drink. Citrus is in season during the winter, after all, so it's bound to taste its very best!
Get the Orange Crush Cocktail recipe.
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