45 Holiday Cocktails You Need To Mix This Season

A signature holiday cocktail is a must, and these libations will liven up your event schedule with good cheer.

peppermints martini
Photo: Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

We love raising a glass during the holidays, but it can be challenging to sift through the many Christmas cocktail recipes out there to find the best ones that fit your holiday party needs. We've done the work for you, and collected our favorite holiday cocktails. Your guests will not only enjoy this special touch, they'll want to know all the details on your mixology skills.

From classics like Milk Punch with fresh nutmeg, to an impressive Gingerbread Martini, we've picked the best holiday cocktails for your party needs. We've also included holiday mocktails for festive toasts with little ones and big-batch options for your Christmas Day brunch cocktails. With these selections, you will find a match to your menu, theme, and holiday party vibe.

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Retro Rum Punch

Retro Rum Punch
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

This not-too-fruity cocktail is going to be a crowd-pleaser. Mix dark spiced and white rums with various juices to get this sweet and refreshing drink. Garnish with frozen cranberries and sliced pineapple.

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Williams Family Wassail

Chris Williams' Family Wassail
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This quick wassail recipe is a family tradition and will warm you to the toes. Plus, this drink makes your kitchen smell incredible at the same time. Before serving, add cinnamon sticks and lemon slices and serve warm.

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Rosemary Collins

Rosemary Collins
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Have all the fixings for this easy cocktail on the bar cart this holiday season to ensure you're always ready for drop-in guests. This classic cocktail combines gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, club soda, and ice. Garnish with a rosemary sprig for a sophisticated presentation.

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White Chocolate Martini

white chocolate martini
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

This cocktail is a dessert and drink wrapped into one. A smooth and creamy martini that delivers as the elegant dessert cocktail you should try this holiday season. Top with shaved dark chocolate to add a final piece of refinement to your presentation.

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Triple B Milk Punch

Triple B Milk Punch
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

The three b's in this Southern holiday drink are buttermilk, bourbon and brandy. This Southern trifecta is what Southern drinker's dreams are made of. If you are tired of rich eggnog, you might want to try Milk Punch which is the holiday drink's Southern cousin.

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Ambrosia Cocktail

Mexican Hot Chocolate
Photo: Hector Sanchez

This cocktail is from the kitchen of Amy Mikkelsen, Atlanta, Georgia. Add some marshmallows and cherries for a festive garnish for a drink inspired by the Southern side dish popular during the holidays. As a matter of fact, you might want to consider going all the way, and commit to serving that classic ambrosia salad recipe on the same night. Who says salad can't be festive?

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Sparkling Punch

Sparkling Punch
Photo: Jennifer Davick

When serving these signature cocktails, you'll see smiles all around at your festive gathering. Cranberries are one of the unofficial fruits of the holidays, so this inspired punch is a perfect fit. Serve with or without alcohol.

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Whiskey Apple Cider Punch

Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This warm whiskey cocktail will keep you cozy on cold nights. Topped with a maple-cream mixture and fresh nutmeg, it may taste more like a dessert than a cocktail. The flavor balance makes this cocktail quaffable. Be sure you invest time in making an extra batch.

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Lemon Lime Rosemary Punch

Cran-Raspberry-Vanilla Punch
Alison Miksch

Make the kids feel like a part of the festivities with this mint and berry "mocktail." With fresh raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, Merry Berry Christmas, Sugar! party beverage is also great in the summertime, but its vibrant red color makes it ideal for Christmas.

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Mississippi Bourbon Punch

Mississippi Bourbon Punch
Southern Living

Muscadine wine is the star of this spirited concoction. If this grape looks familiar, it is native to the southeastern United States and was the first native grape species to be cultivated in North America. Combine with grenadine, bourbon, and a variety of fruit juices and sodas for a flavorful holiday cocktail.

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Vanilla Rosemary Lemonade

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade
Ralph Anderson

This cocktail is exceptional when made with freshly squeezed lemon juice. It's worth it to take the time to squeeze fresh lemons for this drink. Vanilla beans, rosemary sprigs, and lemon slices blend perfectly in this lemonade.

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Peppermint Martini

peppermints martini
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Trim the tree and get in the holiday spirit with a classic Peppermint Martini. Instead of olives, top this cocktail with a candy cane or mint. The splash of Irish cream liqueur keeps this cocktail smooth and creamy.

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Gingerbread Martini

gingerbread martini
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Re-invent a favorite flavor of the holiday season with this tasty cocktail. Carry the flavor further by dipping martini glasses in ginger liqueur and crushed gingersnaps. It'll make all the difference when you are passing this tray of cheer.

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Spiffed Up Orange Rosé Spritzer

Spiffed-Up Spritzer
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

For a light version of a classic summer Spritzer, try this sparkling rosé and orange juice option, ideal for its festive colors. Garnish with orange slices, or try this recipe with other juices you prefer. We can easily see the pineapple version of this fresh option.

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Pomegranate Mimosas

How to Make a Mimosa

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Pomegranate juice adds a festive—and healthy—splash of red to your holiday cocktails. Make our mimosas by mixing to taste with Champagne, sparkling water, or a lemon-lime soft drink such as Sprite. Take a look at the recipe for other juice and mixer options that will add a sparkle to your event.

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Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine

Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine
Becky Luigart Stayner

Celebrate in style with this holiday beverage. This vintage-inspired cocktail uses Cheerwine soft drink and a variety of additional cherry flavorings. Fresh lemon juice and a lemon wedge garnish are the perfect complements.

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French 75

French 75 cocktail

 Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

When made with high-quality ingredients, this is the perfect sipping cocktail. The French 75 is named after the French army's weapon of choice during World War I; the French 75-millimeter light field gun. Gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup combine for this classic drink. It is said to have such a kick, the drinker might feel they have been hit by a round.

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Cherry Blossom Cocktail

Cherry Blossom Cocktail
Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

This festive red cocktail is perfect for Christmas. It's fruity and slightly tart but sweet from the grenadine. Fresh or frozen cranberries make this drink look more holiday-themed.

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The Best Classic Eggnog

The Best Classic Eggnog

Monica Farber / Southern Living

Traditional eggnog that comes together with only five ingredients—sign us up. Mix the ingredients and let guests choose which spirit to include. Serve it cold, sprinkled with nutmeg.

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Cranberry Mojito

Cranberry Mojito
Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Introduce the tart fall flavor of cranberries to your favorite minty cocktail. This classic mojito gets a holiday makeover by adding a tablespoon of cranberry reduction. Make the cranberry reduction up to a week ahead of time to have on hand.

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Blushing Mimosas

Blushing Mimosas

The classic mimosa is equal parts orange juice and Champagne. In this cocktail recipe, pineapple juice and grenadine add a twist of flavor and color. We guarantee this sweet libation will resurface in your life during a warmer time of year, and perhaps on a sunny deck.

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Coquito

Coquito Drink
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

A traditional Christmas punch in Puerto Rico, this coconut and rum cocktail might be your new favorite. It's similar to eggnog but uses coconut milk and unsweetened coconut cream. Garnish with nutmeg or any other spices you prefer.

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Texas Santa Punch

Texas Santa Punch
Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

When it comes to making a good cocktail, a fresh squeezed lime can make all the difference, and it's true for this Santa Texas Punch recipe. Just a few simple ingredients including pomegranate juice, lime and tequila make this drink outrageously delicious, but take the time to juice those limes yourself.

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Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch

Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch
Caitlin Bensel

Easily double or triple this punch recipe, depending on your party size. This bourbon-flavored cocktail combines chilled ginger ale, Champagne, bourbon, and lime syrup for a refreshing drink in five minutes. This might just be the traditional holiday punch you have been seeking.

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Aperol-Bourbon Fizz

Aperol Bourbon Fizz
Becky Luigart Stayner

Bourbon fans will love this cocktail. Using an orange peel to twist around the glass adds a sophisticated touch to this beverage. You can also make up a second batch and infuse it with mint for a fresh stir-in to sweeten your tea.

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Lemon Lime Rosemary Punch

Cran-Raspberry-Vanilla Punch
Alison Miksch

While this drink might start off as a non-alcoholic punch, just add a bit of your favorite spirit of choice to get you and your guests into the holiday spirit. This classic, Southern punch recipe is transformed into something elegant with the addition of rosemary sprigs.

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Cranberry Sangría Punch

Cranberry Sangría Punch
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

No party is complete without a glass of sangria, and this one was made for the holidays. With so many fresh flavors of the season all topped with Champagne, you simply cannot go wrong with this drink. The presentation is a festive composition that will empty your pitcher in no time.

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Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch

Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Few things in life look more festive than this bourbon punch. The simple syrup is made of all the spices of the season from clove to star anise to allspice, making it an ultimate seasonal savor.

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Hot Bourbon Orange Tea Toddy

Hot Bourbon-Orange Tea Toddy
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

You can't have the holidays without a hot toddy in hand. If you are feeling a little bit under the weather while prepping your next holiday party, make sure to put this drink on your menu. With tea, lemon and honey, it's essentially a cure any and all seasonal ailments you may be experiencing.

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Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sometimes, we just need a little holiday pick-me-up, and this recipe will do it! With a shot of espresso, this martini is sure to give you the wake-up-call you are looking for. The coffee bean garnish is just for show, but we are wondering about an edible chocolate covered espresso bean. About three per glass might be just the right thing.

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Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
Southern Living

Pomegranate anything is delicious and the bright red color makes this drink perfect for the holidays. The turbinado sugar cube in this drink adds a sweet, almost brown sugar flavor to this cocktail. And anytime you are pressed to work with a pink themed occasion, you've got your go-to.

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Basil Bourbon Orange Smash

Basil Bourbon Orange Smash
Becky Luigart Stayner

The term "smash" comes with a long, storied history. At its simplest, smashes are cocktails formed with a liquor base and mixed with fresh, seasonal fruits, all smashed together over ice. Let's just say your smashing good time is about to happen.

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Ginger Orange Mocktail

Ginger-Orange Mocktails
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

It bears mentioning that in certain parts of the world, oranges are offered as gifts with a ceremonial nod to the New Year. This citrus flavored mocktail can be spiked, but tastes great with or without the additive. Allow your guests to complete the drink with a dash of ginger beer, and an orange slice as garnish.

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Moscow Mule

Moscow Mules
Jennifer Causey

Because the cocktail is made with so few ingredients, the quality of each component really matters. Many Moscow Mule recipes call for ginger ale, but we prefer using ginger beer, which has the hot and spicy bite of fresh ginger. And always use freshly squeezed, not bottled, lime juice.

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Dark 'N Stormy

Southern Living Dark and Stormy Cocktail in glasses to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The drink was trademarked by Gosling's Black Seal Rum, and the name is said to have originated from a sailor who said the drink looked like a storm cloud. We're thinking this drink might apply to the depths of winter. Indulging in rum in the midst of cold weather brings a bit of a tropical edge to the proceedings.

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Hot Toddy

Hot Toddies

Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living

Classic, traditional and expected, the hot toddy will be served somewhere along this holiday journey, whether it happens at your party or not. This hot and cozy cocktail need not be overlooked in favor of what's now in fashion. It always has a place on the holiday drink menu.

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Christmas Cactus Cocktails

Christmas Cactus Cocktails

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Tequila, lemon juice, jalapeño, lemonade, and clamato juice come together in one glass, and the flavors are meant-to-be. This is a big batch recipe that mixes up in a pitcher, and is easily made ahead and stashed in the refrigerator until guests arrive. Adding a slice of fresh jalapeño as a garnish gives this cocktail the kick you are craving.

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Sparkling Plum Punch

Sparkling Plum Punch
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This light, non-alcoholic beverage has undeniable appeal. Slightly sweet with a little tang, the flavor is anchored in a reduced plum syrup. When combined with fresh lemon juice, sparkling cranberry juice, and sliced plums, it creates a pretty gem-toned drink that guests will marvel at. 

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The Chilton Cocktail

The Chilton Cocktail
Visit Lubbock

This Chilton recipe comes straight from the Lubbock Country Club. While you may be tempted to make is easier and skip the salted rim, don't you dare. It's all part of this drink's signature West Texas charm. A refreshing blend of vodka, lemon juice, and soda water, it's considered a year-round sipper.

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Cranberry Mojito Recipe

Cranberry Mojito
Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

You had us at mojito. But cranberry? It all makes sense. This version of the warm weather refresher gives us all a reason to raise a glass with a little tropical flavor during the winter. Variations on this might just include a splash of ginger beer to bring the sparkle of the holidays closer.

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Easy Apple Cider

Southern Living Hot Apple Cider in mugs with cinnamon sticks to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Never forget the pure joy of a warm mug of apple cider during the holidays. When there are additives afoot like cinnamon and orange peel, you'll forget about the mulled wine being offered across the room. This recipe just happens to combine cloves, allspice and nutmeg, resulting in a flavor that embodies the holidays.

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Shoo-Fly Punch Recipe

Shoo-Fly Punch

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Refreshing and light, this big batch recipe works with any food theme you might be offering during your holiday event. Small bites are washed down with bright flavors, and the taste of bourbon spans the seasons. Mint sprigs and orange slices dress up this cocktail with enough flair to make it fancy.

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Fizzy Cider Punch Recipe

Fizzy Cider Punch
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

This deliciously balanced punch gets its fizz from chilled Prosecco and the cider flavor we love from apple cider and both red and green apples. The golden color of this punch with red and green apple slices will look beautiful on a fall table, while the hearty batch will cover your bases with a crowd of ten. Be sure to have a dish with thinly sliced apples ready to go for garnishing.

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Texas Santa Punch

Texas Santa Punch
Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Consider the sweetness factor here, and back it off a little with no-sugar-added pomegranate juice and dry sparkling wine. Freshly squeezed lime juice is best, and we highly encourage that you never use packaged lime juice for any cocktail. Dress it up with frozen cranberries and an ice ring in the punch bowl.

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Chatham Artillery Punch

Chatham Artillery Punch in a punch bowl

Will Dickey

This historical recipe has been updated to balance the three types of liqueurs that are called for, so you can safely serve this punch at a party. It also calls for Champagne. Just beware this is still considered a little high octane, as far as punches go. This recipe calls for oleo-saccharum, which is homemade lemon oil. The process of making this is worth knowing, as the result is a versatile ingredient.

Pair those perfect holiday cocktails with these 20 Easy Finger Food Appetizers To Serve This Christmas.

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