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Are you looking for the best Christmas cocktails for the holidays or winter? Here are 15 to try ASAP, from mulled wine to Eggnog. Don’t miss our cranberry mimosa Christmas Champagne cocktail (aka Poinsettia Drink) at the end! 

Two red cranberry mimosas on a white table with white Christmas lights in the background. Mimosas are garnished with rosemary.

The holidays are all about celebrating with family and friends. If you’re looking for a healthier non-alcoholic beverage that’s just as festive, try Homemade Apple Cider, a Moscow Mule Mocktail, Shirley Temple, or a Cranberry ACV Drink. 

You can make easy Christmas cocktail recipes with a variety of seasonal ingredients and spirits from Champagne to tequila to bourbon. Read on for some favorite holiday drink recipes and a festive Poinsettia cocktail recipe at the end. 

A beautiful photo of two stemless wine glasses filled with a holiday drink made with red wine, rosemary, orange, and cranberries. A wreath and silver Christmas tree decorations in the background.

BEST SEASONAL FLAVORS FOR CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS 

  • Cranberry 
  • Eggnog 
  • Ginger
  • Gingerbread
  • Peppermint 
  • Orange 
  • Pomegranate 
  • Rosemary 
  • Demerara Sugar Syrup

COLORS FOR CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS 

  • Red and Green (cranberry, pomegranate, fresh herbs such as rosemary and mint)
  • Silver 
  • Gold 
  • White 

FESTIVE GARNISHES 

A bowl filled with sugared cranberries and an mint sprig on a white background.

  • Skewered sugared cranberries 
  • Pomegranate arils 
  • Dried orange slices 
  • Fresh mint 
  • Sprig of rosemary 
  • Green olives 

10 Christmas Cocktails 

A classic Martini in an Anthropologie gold-rimmed coupe glass with three garlic-stuffed green olives.

1. CLASSIC MARTINI  

You can’t go wrong with a classic gin or vodka Martini. This classic cocktail is a great low-sugar option. Serve it up cold in a beautiful gold-rimmed coupe garnished with a few green olives.  

Two pink cranberry margaritas garnished with rosemary in coupe glasses on a wooden cutting board. A great Christmas cocktail recipe.

2. CRANBERRY MARGARITA  

Cranberry, tequila, and lime are a delicious and refreshing combination. This naturally pink-red cocktail transforms into a beautiful holiday cocktail with a garnish or skewered fresh, dried, or sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary or mint. Try our Mistletoe Margaritas! 

A clear mug filled with mulled red wine with orange slices, cranberries, and a cinnamon stick.

3. MULLED WINE 

Mulled Wine has been enjoyed since the Roman Empire and is still one of the most popular Christmas cocktails in Europe. This warming blend of red wine, orange, and spices will make you feel so warm and cozy. As a plus, your house will smell like the holidays. 

Two glasses filled with sparkling sangria with cranberry juice garnished with rosemary, fresh cranberries, and apple slices.

4. BUBBLY CHRISTMAS SANGRIA 

This bubbly cranberry sangria is a fun holiday drink recipe. 

Two clear glasses filled with creamy vegan eggnog sprinkled with cinnamon sit on a marble counter.

5. VEGAN EGGNOG 

We think this Vegan Eggnog recipe tastes even better than the original. You won’t believe it’s made with natural ingredients like plant-based milk and sweetened with dates. As-is this could be considered a mocktail. Add a splash of bourbon to transform it into a deliciously creamy Christmas cocktail. 

Three stemless champagne flutes filled with red cranberry Champagne cocktails garnished with cranberries and cinnamon sticks. A poinsettia and holiday lights in the background.

6. ORANGE-CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL OR MOCKTAIL 

Get festive with a bubbly orange cranberry mimosa! This pretty red drink is easy to make with or without alcohol. Get the recipe on Rhubarbarians. 

A martini glass with a gold sugar rim filled with a white creamy gingerbread martini Christmas cocktail.

7. GINGERBREAD MARTINI 

A sweet and creamy Gingerbread Martini from Aubrey’s Kitchen looks like the perfect Christmas after-dinner drink. 

Two stemless wine glasses filled with citrus white wine sangria on an outdoor table.

8. WINGER WHITE SANGRIA 

This pretty concoction of Spanish white wine, citrus, and cranberries is cold and refreshing. This simple White Sangria Recipe has many 5-star reviews. 

Two short glasses with salted rims filled with bright red cranberry margaritas with jalapeno slices. Text overlay reads, "cranberry jalapeno margarita"

9. CRANBERRY JALAPENO MARGARITA 

If you are into spicy cocktails, here’s a festive one to try from We are Not Martha. It combines homemade cranberry juice, jalapeño simple syrup, and tequila for a Christmas cocktail with a kick. 

A dark and moody photo of a short glass filled with a tan-colored holiday cocktail made with coffee and bourbon. A large square ice cube is in the glass that sits on a plate of coffee beans.

10. COCONUT BOURBON COFFEE NOG

Here’s a dairy-free nog with more complex flavors than usual. It’s cold and creamy with lovely holiday spices. Get the recipe on Running to the Kitchen. 

Two Poinsettia Cocktails made with Champagne and cranberry juice in front of a white background with christmas lights and a Champagne bottle.

11. POINSETTIA COCKTAIL 

The Poinsettia cocktail is an easy holiday cocktail that works any time of day! Serve these poinsettia drinks cold anytime from brunch until cocktail hour. 

WHAT TO SERVE WITH HOLIDAY COCKTAILS 

Yield: 1 drink

10 Christmas Cocktails: Poinsettia Drink

Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes

What could be considered a cranberry mimosa, the Poinsettia Cocktail is a holiday drink made with Champagne, cranberry juice, and orange liqueur. This Christmas cocktail recipe is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

Two red cranberry mimosas on a white table with white Christmas lights in the background. Mimosas are garnished with rosemary.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces cranberry juice
  • 1/2 ounce orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
  • 4 ounces Champagne or prosecco
  • 1 fresh rosemary sprig, for garnish
  • 3 fresh cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Add the cranberry juice and orange liqueur to a Champagne flute.
  2. Top with Champagne.
  3. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries.
  4. Enjoy your poinsettia drink Christmas cocktail chilled right away.

Notes

This drink should be served cold but without ice, so be sure your Champagne and cranberry juice are chilled well.

For a poinsettia mocktail, substitute sparkling water for the Champagne and add a squeeze of orange juice.

For even more festive holiday cocktail recipes please see the full post.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 glass
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 165Trans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your favorite calculator.

© Marina Delio
Cuisine: American / Category: cocktails