17 Easy Holiday Cocktail Ideas

The holiday season is a time for celebration, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than with some delicious cocktails? I’ve compiled a list of 17 easy holiday cocktail ideas that will impress your guests. These drinks are simple to make but packed with seasonal flavors.

These cocktail recipes use common ingredients you can find at most grocery stores and don’t require any special bartending skills.

Whether you’re hosting a big party or just enjoying a cozy night in, these festive drinks will help make your holidays merry and bright. From classic eggnog to creative cranberry concoctions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

1. Pomegranate Mimosa

This festive cocktail is perfect for holiday gatherings. I love how the tart pomegranate juice balances the sweet champagne.

To make it, I rim champagne flutes with sugar using a lime wedge. Then I fill the glasses 2/3 full with chilled champagne or sparkling wine.

I top off each glass with pomegranate juice. For an extra touch, I add a few pomegranate seeds as garnish.

The deep red color looks so pretty in the glass. It’s an easy yet elegant drink that always impresses my guests during the holidays.

2. Cranberry Mule

I love making Cranberry Mules during the holidays. They’re easy and festive!

Here’s my recipe:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Ice

I fill a copper mug with ice. Then I pour in the vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice. I top it off with ginger beer and give it a quick stir.

For garnish, I add fresh cranberries and a lime wedge. Sometimes I’ll throw in a sprig of rosemary for extra holiday flair.

It’s a simple twist on the classic Moscow Mule that’s perfect for Christmas parties.

3. Peppermint Mocha White Russian

I love making this festive twist on a classic White Russian for holiday parties. It’s easy to whip up and always impresses guests.

Here’s my go-to recipe:

• 1 oz peppermint vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz heavy cream
• Crushed candy canes for rimming

I rim the glass with crushed candy canes first. Then I fill it with ice and pour in the peppermint vodka and coffee liqueur. I top it off with a splash of cream and give it a quick stir.

For an extra minty kick, I sometimes add a dash of peppermint schnapps too. A candy cane stirrer makes the perfect garnish.

4. Maple Bourbon Cider

This cozy cocktail blends the warmth of bourbon with the sweetness of maple and apple cider. It’s perfect for chilly evenings and holiday gatherings.

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz maple syrup
• 4 oz apple cider
• Cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat the apple cider until warm.
2. Pour the bourbon and maple syrup into a mug.
3. Add the warm cider and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve immediately.

This drink can be made in larger batches for parties. Just keep it warm in a slow cooker for guests to enjoy throughout the night.

5. Gingerbread Martini

I love making this festive holiday cocktail. It’s easy and tastes just like a gingerbread cookie in liquid form.

To make it, I combine 2 oz vanilla vodka, 1 oz Baileys Irish Cream, 1 oz gingerbread syrup, and 1 oz heavy cream in a shaker with ice. I shake it well for about 30 seconds.

Then I strain it into a chilled martini glass. For an extra special touch, I like to rim the glass with crushed graham crackers or gingerbread cookie crumbs.

A dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top finishes it off perfectly. It’s a delicious dessert cocktail that puts me right in the holiday spirit.

6. Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Buttered Rum is a cozy holiday favorite that warms you from the inside out. I love how easy it is to make and how it fills the house with festive aromas.

Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz spiced rum
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 6 oz hot water

Instructions:

1. Mix butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mug.
2. Pour in the rum and hot water.
3. Stir until everything is well combined.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired.

This comforting drink is perfect for sipping by the fire on cold winter nights.

7. Winter Sangria

Winter sangria is a cozy twist on the classic summer drink. I love how it combines seasonal fruits and spices for a festive punch.

Here’s an easy recipe:

• 1 bottle of white wine
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 1 sliced orange
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 cup honey

Mix the wine, brandy, juice, and honey in a pitcher. Add the fruit and cinnamon. Chill for 2 hours before serving over ice.

This sangria is perfect for holiday parties. The cranberries and orange give it a bright, tart flavor that pairs well with the warm cinnamon notes.

8. Spiced Irish Coffee

I love making Spiced Irish Coffee during the holidays. It’s a warm, comforting drink that’s perfect for cold nights.

Here’s my recipe:

• 1 cup hot brewed coffee
• 1 oz Irish whiskey
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Whipped cream for topping

I mix the coffee, whiskey, sugar, and spices in a mug. Then I stir until the sugar dissolves. I top it with whipped cream and sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top.

This drink is easy to make and always impresses my guests. The spices add a festive touch to the classic Irish Coffee.

9. Cinnamon Bun Shot

I love this sweet and creamy shot that tastes just like a cinnamon bun. It’s perfect for holiday parties or after-dinner treats.

To make it, I combine 1 oz vanilla vodka, 1 oz RumChata, and 1/2 oz cinnamon schnapps in a shaker with ice. I shake it well and strain it into a shot glass.

For an extra festive touch, I rim the glass with cinnamon sugar before pouring. The flavors blend beautifully, creating a delicious dessert-like shot that always impresses my guests.

10. Eggnog Martini

I love making this festive twist on a classic martini for holiday parties. It’s creamy, rich, and perfect for sipping by the fire.

To make an Eggnog Martini, I combine 2 oz vodka, 2 oz eggnog, and 1/2 oz amaretto in a shaker with ice. I shake it well for about 20 seconds to mix and chill.

Then I strain it into a martini glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar. For an extra fancy touch, I garnish with a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg on top.

This cocktail tastes like Christmas in a glass. The eggnog adds smoothness while the vodka and amaretto give it a nice kick.

11. Cranberry Prosecco Punch

I love this festive and easy punch for holiday gatherings. It’s a crowd-pleaser that comes together quickly.

Here’s my simple recipe:

In a large punch bowl, I combine:

• 1 bottle of chilled Prosecco
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• Orange slices for garnish

I stir gently to mix. Right before serving, I add ice and float orange slices on top. The bubbles from the Prosecco make it sparkle beautifully.

This punch has a nice balance of tart and sweet flavors. The cranberries bob in the glasses for a pretty effect. It’s perfect for New Year’s Eve or Christmas parties.

12. Sugar Cookie Martini

I love this festive cocktail that tastes just like a sugar cookie. Here’s how I make it:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz Irish cream liqueur
• 1 oz milk
• 1/2 oz amaretto
• 1 tbsp powdered sugar
• Vanilla frosting and sprinkles for the rim

Instructions:

1. Rim a martini glass with frosting and dip in sprinkles.
2. Combine vodka, Irish cream, milk, amaretto, and powdered sugar in a shaker with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
4. Garnish with a small sugar cookie if desired.

This sweet, creamy martini is perfect for holiday parties. The vanilla and amaretto flavors make it taste like a cookie in liquid form.

13. Holiday Cosmopolitan

I love a festive twist on a classic cocktail. The Holiday Cosmopolitan is perfect for Christmas parties.

To make it, I mix 2 oz vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice, 1/2 oz Cointreau, and 1/2 oz lime juice in a shaker with ice. I shake it well and strain it into a chilled martini glass.

For a holiday touch, I rim the glass with sugar and garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime twist. The bright red color looks so festive.

I can prepare the base mixture ahead of time and shake individual servings as needed. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser that captures the spirit of the season.

14. Apple Cider Margarita

I love this festive twist on a classic margarita. It’s perfect for fall and winter gatherings. Here’s how I make it:

Rim a glass with cinnamon sugar. In a shaker with ice, combine:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz triple sec
• 3 oz apple cider
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz maple syrup

Shake well and strain into the prepared glass over ice. I like to garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.

This drink balances the tartness of lime with sweet apple and warm cinnamon flavors. It’s easy to make and always a hit at parties.

15. Christmas Mule

The Christmas Mule is a festive twist on the classic Moscow Mule. I love how it combines holiday flavors with the refreshing kick of ginger beer.

To make it, I fill a copper mug with ice and add 2 oz vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice, and 1/2 oz lime juice. Then I top it off with about 4 oz ginger beer.

For garnish, I add a few fresh cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, and a lime wedge. The rosemary gives it a nice pine scent that’s perfect for Christmas.

This drink is easy to customize. I sometimes add a splash of peppermint schnapps for extra holiday cheer. The tartness of the cranberry balances nicely with the spicy ginger beer.

16. Sleigh Ride Sangria

I love making this festive sangria for holiday parties. It’s easy and delicious. Here’s my recipe:

In a large pitcher, I mix:

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur
• 1 sliced orange
• 1 sliced apple
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2-star anise

I let it chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Right before guests arrive, I add a splash of sparkling wine or club soda for some fizz. The fruit soaks up the wine and makes a tasty treat.

17. Candy Cane Margarita

I love this festive twist on a classic margarita. It’s perfect for holiday parties. Here’s how I make it:

I rim a glass with sugar and crushed candy canes. Then I fill it with ice.

In a shaker, I combine:

• 2 oz blanco tequila
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz orange liqueur
• 1/4 oz peppermint extract
• 1 tbsp crushed candy cane

I shake it well with ice and strain into the prepared glass. For a final touch, I garnish with a candy cane.

This cocktail is refreshing and minty with a hint of sweetness. The cranberry and peppermint flavors really make it feel like the holidays.