Image Credit: Anna Wick Photography
We may be celebrating at home this year, but that doesn’t mean your favorite cocktail has to become a thing of Christmases past. Whipping up a drink to sip while you watch ELF for the fifth time is the perfect way to drum up a little holiday spirit. Discover 10 delicious holiday drink ideas below.
10 Holiday Spirits To Lift YOUR Holiday Spirits
Spiced Old Fashioned
By James Briscione
A good ol' fashioned Christmas isn’t complete without a festive Old Fashioned cocktail. This is a festive twist on an old favorite from Food Network’s two-time Chopped champion James Briscione. You’ll need:
- An orange slice
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Sugar
- Bitters
- A maraschino cherry
- Bourbon
- A craft cocktail ice cube
Poinsettia Punch
By The Spruce Eats
This grown-up punch recipe uses warming seasonal spices and gin to give the drink a holiday feeling. To make it, you’ll need:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Vanilla
- Sugar
- Gin
- Lemon
- Raspberry liquor
- Bitters
- A craft cocktail ice cube
Homemade Eggnog
By Food and Wine
Skip the store bought stuff and elevate your eggnog game with this homemade eggnog recipe from the Food and Wine test kitchen. Bourbon, rum, and brandy make a delightfully complex, festive drink. You’ll need:
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Milk
- Bourbon
- Dark rum
- Brandy
- Heavy cream
- Freshly grated nutmeg
Spiced Holly Highball
By The Cocktail Project
This spiced holly highball is equal parts cool and Christmasy. Best served in a highball glass with a Collins spear ice cube for the full effect. To make it, you’ll want:
- Aged dark rum
- Cranberries
- Pumpkin spice
- Agave syrup
- Mint
- Club soda
- A Collins spear ice cube
Holiday Thyme Gin and Tonic
By Total Wine & MORE
An easy, elegant way to dress up your ordinary gin and tonic with a kick of thyme, orange, and pomegranate. To make it, use:
- Pomegranate juice
- Orange juice
- Honey
- Tonic water
- Gin
- A cocktail ice cube
Cranberry Moscow Mule
By Spoonful of Flavor
Break out your copper mugs for a mule that’s merry, bright, and full of holiday flavors. The traditional Moscow Mule gets a Yuletide makeover with the addition of cranberries and cranberry juice. You’ll need:
- Ginger beer
- Cranberry juice cocktail
- Dark rum or vodka
- Lime
- Crushed ice or ice chips
- Cranberries (fresh or frozen)
Rudolph Collins
By Bach Nielsen of The Barking Dog
The Rudolph Collins got its start in a bar in Copenhagen. Spice up your holiday season with this light, refreshing twist on the classic Collins. Make this drink with:
- Gin
- Lemon juice
- Cinnamon syrup
- Sparkling water
- A Collins spear ice cube
Salted Sipping Caramel with Mezcal
By the Sacramento Hard Rock Hotel
This recipe from the Hard Rock Hotel is toasty warm and oh so caramelly. Even better, it’s local to Sacramento! Make it with:
- Brown sugar
- Heavy cream
- Sea salt
- Vanilla
- Mezcal
Fireside Cocktail
By Grey Goose
Combine maple syrup’s smooth sweetness and grapefruit juice’s bright citrus cheer with Grey Goose vodka, and you’ve got a holiday cocktail perfect for sipping fireside. This holiday cocktail is easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. You’ll need:
- Vodka
- Organic maple syrup
- Sprig of rosemary
- Pinch of salt
- Pink grapefruit juice
The French 75
By Esquire
A refreshing, lemony champagne cocktail is the perfect way to toast a fresh new year. To make this classic, you’ll want:
- Gin
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
- Champagne
- A Collins spear ice cube
What’s your favorite drink for the holiday season? If you try any of these, we’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts with us on social media!
This post was updated for 2023 to include even more holiday cocktails to brighten the season.
