If you’re looking for holiday drink ideas, these 6 classic recipes are easy to make with common bar ingredients.
The holiday season has always been one of my favorite stretches of the year. I have Christmas piano on at all times, I love the glow of twinkle lights at dusk, and of course all the Christmas parties and themed gatherings. As much as I adore festive foods—everything from cookie swaps to Christmas charcuterie board ideas to holiday potluck appetizers — I will admit that I especially love the merriment that comes with holiday drinks. Whether it’s a steaming mug of hot chocolate after a day of sledding or a sparkling holiday punch recipe served in a giant punch bowl during holiday parties, these sips make the season extra fun.
All of the restaurant and bar menus have something seasonal and unique to share this time of year, and I’ve copied many of their themes in cocktails I make at home or at parties. Bonus if you can batch them for a holiday spread! So much more fun than bringing a bottle of wine.
You can tailor sweetness levels, play with spices, add fresh pomegranate seeds, or stir up a signature cocktail that fits the theme of the night.
Many of these can be made as mocktails too! Use an NA version of an alcohol (ideas here!) or simply make them with club soda or seltzers. Just be sure to let the kids know if you spike the punch bowl or eggnog : ) (Speaking from my childhood experience!)
You might also like my Christmas Cranberry Cocktail or this Cranberry Gin Cocktail.
6 Holiday Drink Ideas
Below are some of the best holiday drinks I’ve had this year that are festive, simple to make, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner, attending a cozy fireside hangout, or planning Christmas parties with friends, these drinks will bring the cheer.
Mulled Wine with Orange & Cinnamon
One of the most quintessential festive holiday beverages, mulled wine fills the whole house with the smell of winter comfort. It’s easy to make, great for serving a crowd as my friend Ivy did last weekend, and it can be kept warm on the stove for hours. What I love most is how customizable it is—add extra cloves, reduce the sugar, toss in star anise, or swap citrus.
Ingredients all to taste
- Red wine
- Cinnamon sticks
- Orange slices
- Whole cloves
- Honey or sugar
- Optional brandy splash
Heat slowly on the stove and ladle in heat-safe mugs. Garnish with fresh citrus.
Classic Christmas Punch
This vibrant Christmas punch is perfect for serving in a punch bowl at any gathering. With its combination of cranberry juice, ginger ale, and citrus slices, it’s refreshing, bubbly, and beautifully red—ideal for photos! The flavor works for kids and adults (and you can always spike half the batch – be sure to label them well!).
Ingredients
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 3 cups ginger ale or lemon-lime soda (add right before serving so it stays bubbly)
- 1 large orange, sliced
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- Optional alcohol: 1 to 1½ cups vodka or white rum (depending on how strong you want it)
Use a medium punch bowl or a large pitcher for serving. You can use regular ice just before serving or float frozen cranberries inside!
Hazelnut Old Fashioned
Since an Old Fashioned is my drink of choice (one cube please!), this one is chef’s kiss for cozy holiday sipping. I had a similar drink at Birch and Bloom, and my friend Meg got me a bottle of Frangelico to make it at home as a party gift. The Frangelico brings a soft hazelnut sweetness that plays beautifully with bourbon’s warmth. This is a wonderful choice for holiday parties and Christmas parties because it’s easy to batch in a large pitcher or mix individually for guests who appreciate a well-balanced cocktail. Serve with cherries on toothpicks on the side. And extra bonus if you have a cocktail smoker!
Ingredients
1 part Frangelico
1 part bourbon
0.25 part simple syrup
4 dashes aromatic bitters
Orange peel
One large cube of ice
Instructions
Step 1: Add the Frangelico, bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters to a shaker.
Step 2: Add ice and stir for 15–20 seconds until chilled and silky.
Step 3: Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Step 4: Express an orange peel over the glass and drop it in for aroma.
Batched Old Fashioned (Makes ~8 Drinks)
This version stays true to the original ratios while making it big-group friendly and super simple to serve pre-chilled from a large pitcher. You can double this recipe if you need even more!
Batch Ingredients
1 cup Frangelico
1 cup bourbon
¼ cup simple syrup
32 dashes aromatic bitters (about ½ teaspoon if you don’t want to count every dash)
8–10 large orange peels
How To Batch It
Step 1: Combine the Frangelico, bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters in a large pitcher or mixing vessel.
Step 2: Stir well for 20–30 seconds to fully blend and chill slightly (you can stir with a little ice, then strain the ice out).
Step 3: Add the orange peels directly into the pitcher to infuse the flavor. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour, up to 24 hours.
Step 4: When ready to serve, pour over fresh ice in individual rocks glasses.
Step 5: Garnish each drink with a fresh orange peel and a few pomegranate seeds for that festive holiday sparkle.
Sparkling Pomegranate Holiday Cocktail
This signature cocktail is one of my favorites because it’s simple, elegant, and not too sweet. Perfect for girls nights or pre-party sipping. Bubbly makes it extra festive.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 1 bottle prosecco or champagne (you can use NA sparkling wine here too)
- 1 oz orange liqueur (sub in an orange simple syrup for NA)
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Add a splash of orange liqueur to each champagne glass.
Step 2: Fill the glass halfway with pomegranate juice.
Step 3: Top with chilled bubbly.
Step 4: Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top for sparkle.
Cranberry Moscow Mule
I am not the biggest ginger fan, but I have a few friends who love a Moscow mule! (I think because of the fun copper mug!) This is seasonal twist on the classic version. The addition of cranberry juice gives it tart brightness and makes the color gorgeous for the holidays.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- Ginger beer
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cranberries or rosemary sprig
Instructions
Step 1: Fill a copper mug with ice.
Step 2: Add vodka and cranberry juice.
Step 3: Top with ginger beer.
Step 4: Squeeze a lime wedge and garnish with cranberries.
Warming Hot Toddy
A hot toddy is excellent for chilly nights like in a to-go coffee mug while caroling or at a tree lighting. It’s served warm, and is soothing, lightly spiced, and easy to customize. Use whiskey, rum, or no alcohol at all.
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 oz whiskey, rum or no alcohol
- Cinnamon stick
Instructions
Step 1: Warm water in a mug.
Step 2: Stir in honey until dissolved.
Step 3: Add lemon juice and alcohol if using.
Step 4: Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Tips To Make Holiday Drinks At Home
Holiday drinks don’t need to be complicated. In fact, some of the best ones start with simple ingredients like cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, warming spices, or even a large pitcher and a bottle of bubbly. Here are a few tips for making your holiday drink experience fun, flavorful, and stress-free.
Choose A Festive Color Palette
Holiday drinks feel instantly more magical when they look the part. Think jewel-tones: ruby from pomegranate juice, deep garnet from mulled wine, snowy white from coconut milk, bright bursts of green from mint leaves, or the sparkling gold of fresh citrus slices. Seasonal garnishes like rosemary sprigs, cranberries, and pomegranate seeds are inexpensive but make a huge difference for guests.
Use Seasonal Flavors
Flavors that define the season—cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, vanilla, nutmeg, peppermint, ginger—can turn even a classic drink into a Christmas drink. Add spices to the warm drinks, make festive simple syrups for holiday cocktails, or stir flavored syrups into your recipes.
Make It Big-Batch Friendly
If you’re hosting holiday parties, make life easier by prepping your drinks in advance. Mix mocktails or cocktails in a large pitcher or punch bowl, slice your garnishes early, and pre-measure ingredients so all you need to do is pour, stir, and serve.
Offer Both Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Options
Holiday punch, mulled wine, and sparkling signature cocktails are fun for adults, but kids and non-drinkers love festive holiday beverages, too! Set up a small drink station so guests can customize their own mug or glass.
Enjoy mixing, sipping, and making memories. Cheers to a festive holiday season!
