Christmas Cocktail Ideas For Elevated Holiday Entertainment

Making your Christmas dinner feel like a fine dining experience is relatively easy if you have a few key elements. Despite setting your best tableware and preparing delicious food, there is one thing to consider: the festive drink. A good Christmas cocktail is perfect for a toast and for celebrating a precious moment with your family. We went through many Christmas-inspired cocktail recipes and curated a list of the best ones for you! 

Apple Cider Sangria

Topped with apple chunks and star anise, the apple cider sangria is a cozy drink to try for the holidays. You can feel free to serve it in mason jars for a charming presentation that happens to be a surprise for your guests. This recipe also includes instructions on a non-alcoholic variation!

The key ingredients you’ll need to make this drink are:

• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise
• Apple juice
• White win
• Ginger ale

Christmas Punch

With ginger ale and dark rum as part of the ingredients, this Christmas punch guarantees enjoyment for all senses. The recipe is enough to prepare a large pitcher, so you can easily refill glasses and enjoy the evening without spending all your time mixing new batches of drinks.

The main ingredients you’ll need to make this drink are:

• Cranberry juice
• Sparkling wine
• Apple cider
• Dark rum or brandy
• Oranges

Christmas Mojito

With a group presentation containing the holiday colors, this cocktail is a must. It is creamy and delicious, with a hint of coconut that adds a special note. Top with mint and pomegranate seeds for picturesque cocktails that become the star of the evening.

For this drink, the main ingredients you’ll need are:

• Lime juice
• Mint leaves
• White rum
• Coconut rum
• Pomegranate arils

Mistletoe Kiss

The elegant cocktail fuses the flavors of vodka and lemon, creating a fresh cocktail that elevates the atmosphere. The recipe reveals a secret trick for preparing simple syrup to add sweetness too. Decorate with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for the ultimate holiday feel on the table.

Here are the key ingredients you’ll need to make this drink:

• Vodka
• Lemon juice
• Rosemary simple syrup (instructions included for how to make)
• Club soda
• Rosemary sprigs
• Fresh cranberries

Spiced Cranberry Paloma

The cocktail is a twist on the classic Paloma recipe, providing a festive drink for memorable holidays. The secret ingredient is the spicy simple syrup, adding a signature note to this cocktail recipe. Serve this fantastic drink along a charcuterie board and enjoy the holiday entertainment with family and friends.

The main ingredients you’ll need to make this drink are:

• Tequila
• Grapefruit juice
• Lime juice
• Spiced simple syrup
• Cranberry juice

Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail

The sweet and spicy drink served in sugar-rimmed glasses is the ultimate holiday drink. The unique flavor comes from the combination of honey and jalapeno slices, balanced to perfection. Pour a glass (or two!) and enjoy the festive drink with the dinner.

Here are the key ingredients you’ll need to make this drink:

• Mint leaves
• Vodka
• Granulated sugar
• Lime juice
• Grapefruit juice
• Honey
• Ginger beer
• Jalapeno slices

Frosted Mistletoe Margarita

With a deep red color, the frosted mistletoe margarita is a great recipe for the holidays. The combination of orange liquor, tequila, and cranberry juice is perfect for celebrating the holidays. For the ultimate flavor, make sure to add a lot of ice.

The key ingredients you’ll need to make this drink are:

• Kosher salt
• Tequila (silver)
• Cranberry juice
• Granulated sugar
• Cointreau
• Lime juice
• Cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• Honey

Winter Aperol Spritz

The winter version will exceed your expectations if you love the classic Aperol spritz cocktail during the summer. With cranberries and rosemary, it is a holiday-inspired drink that will cheer up any festivities. 

For this drink, the main ingredients you’ll need are:

• Prosecco
• Aperol
• Soda water
• Cranberry simple syrup

Blood Orange Mojito

This recipe features another festive twist to the classic mojito recipe. The combination of blood orange, ginger, and cranberry brings the holiday flavors to your table.

For this drink, the main ingredients you’ll need are:

• Lime juice and limes
• White rum
• Blood Orange soda
• Cranberry juice
• Ginger simple syrup
• Raw, peeled ginger
• Sugar

Christmas Gin Cocktail

As you sip the festive cocktail, you can feel all the flavors. The elegant Christmas cocktail is ideal for holiday cheer with your loved ones. 

The key ingredients you’ll need to make this drink are:

• Gin
• Lemon juice
• Rosemary simple syrup
• Champagne
• Rosemary sprigs