Very Merry Christmas Drinks for Your Holiday Gatherings
Christmas is a time for friends, family, food, and of course, fun drinks! But there’s so much more to Christmas drinks than hot chocolate and marshmallows. From hot apple cider to pomegranate mojitos, many festive flavors are sure to impress your guests!
The holiday season is one of the best times to enjoy festivities with family and friends. While cookies and turkey might be on the menu, there are also plenty of homemade Christmas drink recipes to try. Whether you’re throwing a low-key brunch or an evening dinner party, there’s a Christmas cocktail or beverage for everyone.
Jump to Recipe
What Are the Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks?
Kids are too young to enjoy holiday cocktails, and there are plenty of adults who choose not to drink alcohol for many reasons. But there are plenty of inspired Christmas drinks for kids and adults alike that will make their holiday season bright.Not every drink needs to have alcohol in it to be tasty and fun. Besides, the kiddos can’t enjoy holiday cocktails, and there are plenty of adults who choose not to drink alcohol. But there are plenty of Christmas drinks for kids and sober-minded adults alike that will make their holiday season bright.
- Non-Alcoholic Wassail– This mulled cider might often include sherry or brandy. But your kids will love the non-alcoholic version. Make it with 2 quarts of apple cider, 1-1/2 cups of orange juice, 3/4 cups of pineapple juice, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice, 2 cinnamon sticks, a dash of cinnamon, and a dash of ground cloves. This spiced punch will help ring in the holidays. You’ll definitely want to put it on this year’s Christmas drink list! You can also buy pre-made wassail from Trader Joe’s!
- Peppermint Hot Cocoa– Who doesn’t love hot chocolate? This peppermint version is a great way to spice up an old tradition. To make yours, add a little peppermint extract to homemade hot cocoa. You may even want whipped cream and crushed peppermints for added cheer.
- Spiced Cider– This fall and Christmas time beverage can be found at the grocery store, and all it requires is heating it on the stove or in the slow cooker. When it comes to Christmas drinks recipes without alcohol, cider’s an old favorite. For a hot, spiced beverage, Add a gallon of store-bought cider to the stove and 1/4 cup of light brown sugar, 1 tsp allspice, a pinch of grated nutmeg. Bring to a low boil. Add 2 tsp of whole cloves, sliced oranges,
- Mocktails– These are great ideas for the holiday party where you want to feel fancy and sophisticated without the extra booze. Check out our article on holiday mocktails for some ideas!
Drinks to Serve for Christmas Brunch
Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, or lunch, don’t forget the fun Christmas drinks to help everyone get into the holiday mood! Your guests will love these easy recipes– and may even find their new favorite Christmas cocktail!
- Ginger Orange Cocktail – This fresh, citrusy, and fruity drink will have everyone asking for another glass! All you need is 2 oz. vodka, 1 oz. orange/pineapple juice, 2 oz ginger ale, 2 oz. citrus sparkling water, and some grated ginger. You can even use a twist of orange for added zest.
- Pomegranate Mojito – This Cuban cocktail generally comes with rum. While you make it with alcohol, it can also be great without it! For this refreshing drink, start by muddling 8 fresh mint leaves, 1 oz. lime juice, 1/2 oz of simple syrup, and two fresh lime wedges in a highball glass. Then, pour in 1 oz. pomegranate juice and 1-1/2 oz light rum. Top off with crushed ice and club soda to lighten it up. Don’t forget to garnish with mint sprigs, lime wedges, and pomegranate arils.
- Winter Spritzer – If you’re in the mood for something light and bubbly, try this fun libation! Add together a bottle of sparkling wine (white), 3 cups of cranberry juice, 2 cups of ginger ale, and 1 cup of cranberries for a splashy spritzer. Serve it from a punch bowl at your next party! Another great idea is Cranberry Limoncello Spritzer! For this, you need 1/2 cup of seltzer, 1/4 cup of limoncello, 1/4 cup white cranberry juice, and fresh cranberries for garnish.
What Are the Best Christmas Drinks?
It’s important to have a few different recipes for Christmas drinks up your sleeve during the Christmas party season. Whether it’s punch, mixed drinks, or spiced wine, everyone is sure to find a favorite!
- Egg Nog – This warm and cozy seasonal beverage is a tradition in the United States. To make it in a saucepan, add 2 cups of milk, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla, and cook on medium-low for about 10 minutes, but do not boil. Remove from heat, then stir in 3/4 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of RumChata. Refrigerate until chilled, then pour into cups and sprinkle with extra nutmeg or garnish with cinnamon sticks.
- Gingerbread Martini – A Christmas martini? Sign us up. While you’ll need a shaker for this creamy cocktail, it only takes a minute to make. For a Christmas treat, combine 4 oz. Irish cream liqueur, 4 oz. vodka, 2 oz. coffee liqueur, and 2 oz. gingerbread syrup. You can even add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra sweet Christmas cocktail.
- Moscow Reindeer Mule – I love Moscow mules, and this recipe adds a festive twist to make them Christmas cocktails! Mix a handful of fresh mint (or fresh peppermint), 2 oz. vodka, 2 oz. cranberry juice, and 4 oz of ginger beer. Garnish the rim with a crushed candy cane or put in a whole one. Serve in a copper mug if you’re feeling extra fancy.
- Mistletoe Margaritas– Try this Christmas margarita at your next holiday party! Get the recipe below!
Merry Mistletoe Margaritas
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp salt (for the rim)
- 2 oz orange liqueur (I like Grand Marnier)
- 1/2 oz silver tequila
- 2 oz white or red cranberry juice
- 2 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 oz simple syrup
- lime slices (for garnish)
- fresh or frozen cranberries (for garnish)
- rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions
Merry Mistletoe Margaritas
- Rim each glass edge with a lime wedge and dip in the coarse salt. Then, fill each glass with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the liqueur, tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice and syrup and shake for 30 seconds to a minute. Then, pour over the ice.
- Garnish with limes, cranberries, and a spring or two or rosemary! Enjoy!
Nutrition
Christmas Drinks for a Crowd: Punch and More
My mom’s go-to is a “jingle juice holiday punch,” but there are plenty of different ideas and flavors for this classic drink that everyone will love. Check out some of our favorites below:
Boozy Grinch Punch– This bright green concoction would make anyone’s heart grow three sizes. Prepare one packet of Lemon Lime Kool-Aid according to box instructions. Then, in a large punch bowl, combine 4 cups of ice, Kool-Aid, 3 cups of lemon-lime soda, 2 cups of pineapple juice, 2 cups of vodka, and 1 cup of ginger ale. Use a lime wedge to rim glasses and dip in sanding sugar to coat. Pour punch into glasses to serve.
Mulled Wine –This is perfect for those chilly nights by the fireside! Grab your favorite bottle of dry red wine, 1/2 cup of brandy (or orange liqueur), 1 orange (sliced into rounds), spices (I like to use 8 cloves, 2 star anise, and 2 cinnamon sticks are my favorites), and 2-4 Tablespoons of your favorite sweetener (sugar, honey, or maple syrup). Similar to Sangria, you can spike it with a little extra liqueur if you’d like. Cook it on medium-high until it just barely reaches a simmer, then reduce the heat and keep it warm until you’re ready to serve at one of your next holiday parties!
Hot Buttered Rum– Like Bing Crosby says in White Christmas, “light on the butter!” Using an electric mixer, beat 2/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup room-temperature butter, 1/4 cup of honey, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl until blended and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a 4-cup (or larger) measuring cup. Add 3/4 cup of spiced rum and then 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until the butter mixture dissolves. Divide the buttered rum among four mugs. This after-dinner treat will make everybody feel warm and snuggly. Be sure to garnish with cinnamon sticks or whipped cream!
Cheers to Delightful Christmas Drinks!
This season is full of time with friends, family, and lots of holiday festivities. But are you ready to get into the holiday spirit(s)? Whether it’s jingle juice for a holiday brunch or a hot cup of cider on a winter’s eve, tis’ the season for sipping yummy Christmas drinks. Do you have any Christmas cocktail recipes that are your go-to signature drink? Share your favorite recipes with friends and family on FamilyApp!
