Amid Inflation, These 8 Foods Are Most Expensive

12 Best Silk Hair Caps for Sleeping

When Grandparents Get Carried Away on Social Media

50+ Asian-Owned Businesses to Support Every Day

What Is a Vegan Diet?

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why trust us?

50 Easy Christmas Cocktails That Are Sure to Get You Into the Christmas Spirit

Cheers to the holiday season with these festive Christmas drinks!

By Samantha MacAvoy and Catherine Lo

Dec 17, 2021

Mike Garten

Are you feeling holly and jolly yet? Don't worry if you can't answer in the affirmative (the holidays can be stressful!), we have the perfect solution: a little bit of jingle juice in the form of festive Christmas cocktails. After all, we think that these jolly Christmas martinis and bubbly champagne cocktails will go perfectly with whatever menu you have planned for Christmas dinner. In fact, light and fizzy cocktails are great to serve with apps or to toast the fact that you managed to wrap your gifts in time this year, while steaming mugs of hot chocolate (spiked, of course!) are perfect for hunkering down after a day of snowball fights and sledding. Hosting the family Christmas party and wondering what to serve that'll be fun but not labor-intensive? Savvy hosts know to have a big batch of Christmas punch on hand for guests to help themselves.

And to close out the festivities, obviously, no holiday celebration is complete without a signature drink paired with the most delicious Christmas desserts — or maybe even a boozy beverage that can be the actual dessert. But whether you choose to serve up a festive vodka cocktail or a warming whiskey punch, these fun drinks are sure to help you celebrate the holidays in good spirits — with the help of a couple of, well, good spirits.

VienettaGetty Images

Christmas Cosmos

Let's face it: Cosmos are right any time of year, but their beautiful color is especially fitting during the holidays.

Get the recipe for Christmas Cosmos »

Mike Garten

Old-Fashioned Eggnog

It's just not the holidays without sweet and creamy eggnog. Whip up a batch for some DIY Christmas crafts.

Get the recipe for Old-Fashioned Eggnog »

Mike Garten

Mary Pickford

Made with pineapple juice, maraschino liqueur and grenadine, this cocktail tastes tropical but looks like it's made for the holidays.

Get the recipe for Mary Pickford »

Oksana Bratanova / Getty Images

Pumpkin Martini

Have this sweet, boozy sipper instead of—or in addition to—homemade pie!

Get the recipe for Pumpkin Martini »

Mike Garten

Classic Sidecar

This 3-ingredient cocktail is perfect for entertaining.

Get the recipe for Classic Sidecar »

Mike Garten

Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail

Pour pomegranate juice into ice cube trays for an instant flavor (and color!) boost to any bubbly beverage.

Get the recipe for Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail »

Mike Garten

Classic Bloody Mary

Kick off Christmas brunch with this spicy, savory cocktail.

Get the recipe for Classic Bloody Mary »

Mike Garten

Spiked Hot Chocolate

Top bourbon-spiked cocoa with toasty marshmallows for an end-of-the-night treat.

Get the recipe for Spiked Hot Chocolate »

Mike Garten

Vanilla-Citrus-Honey Sangria

Citrus is in season all winter, make the most of it with this batch-able pick.

Get the recipe for Vanilla-Citrus-Honey Sangria »

Mike Garten

Raspberry Daiquiri

Fresh raspberry-lime syrup gives this rum-based cocktail a Christmas-y color. It pairs perfectly with Christmas ham!

Get the recipe for Raspberry Daiquiri »

Mike Garten

Apple Cider Cocktail

Cider syrup replaces sugar to lend seasonal flavor to this classic drink.

Get the recipe for Apple Cider Cocktail »

Mike Garten

Cherry Simple Syrup

Add fruity flavor and jolly color to any cocktail with this homemade syrup.

Get the recipe for Cherry Simple Syrup »

Mike Garten

Ginger-Sage Rye Cocktail

Throw on a Christmas movie and sip on this sweet, spicy and herbal cocktail.

Get the recipe for Ginger-Sage Rye Cocktail »

Mike Garten

Homemade Irish Cream

Get the holiday started with a splash of this in your coffee, or serve it with dessert!

Get the recipe for Homemade Irish Cream »

Mike Garten

Cherry Sidecar

Garnish this sweet-sour sipper with brandied cherries to make it special for the holidays.

Get the recipe for Cherry Sidecar »

Mike Garten

Maple Whiskey Sour

With maple, bourbon and citrus, this drink was practically made for the holidays. Whip it up for an adult game night!

Get the recipe for Maple Whiskey Sour »

Mike Garten

Pom-Lime French 75

Pomegranate and lime add red and green flair to this gin-and-bubbly drink.

Get the recipe for Pom-Lime French 75 »

DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO

Old-Fashioned

Planning a traditional holiday menu? Pair it with a classic cocktail!

Get the recipe for Old-Fashioned »

mike garten

Pisco Sour

If you want a break from the seasonal cinnamon and dark chocolate flavors, this lemony sour drink is the perfect refresher.

Get the recipe for Pisco Sour »

MIKE GARTEN

Ramos Gin Fizz

The foamy, velvety texture of this New Orlean's classic looks like fresh snowfall, and tastes just as crisp.

Get the recipe for Ramos Gin Fizz »

MIKE GARTEN

Thyme Plum Moscow Mule

A little bit of plum and a dash of thyme turns the fan-favorite Moscow Mule into a Christmas delight.

Get the recipe for Thyme-Plum Moscow Mules »

Mike Garten

Blood Orange Spritz

Even mimosas need a seasonal update. Trade traditional OJ for blood orange juice to give this cocktail a gorgeous crimson hue.

Get the recipe for Blood Orange Spritz »

Mike Garten

Cranberry 75 Punch

Give the bartender (you!) the night off by letting guests pour their own glass of this festive and fruity drink.

Get the recipe for Cranberry 75 Punch »

Mike Garten

Sparkling Wine Mojito Punch

What's a holiday cocktail without champagne? Boring, that's what.

Get the recipe for Sparkling Wine Mojito Punch »

Mike Garten

Cherry Bomb Fizz

Think of this glass of bubbly as the grown up version of a Shirley Temple. (And obviously, it's best served with a side of cherries.)

Get the recipe for Cherry Bomb Fizz »

Mike Garten

Thinking Cap Cocktail

There's something special about sipping on a glass of whiskey in the wintertime. For a quick and fruity fix, warm up with this orange-infused drink.

Get the recipe for Thinking Cap Cocktail »

Kate Mathis

Blood Orange Mimosas

Serving a Christmas breakfast? These will steal the show once everyone tears through presents.

Get the recipe for Blood Orange Mimosas »

Mike Garten

Citrus Whiskey Punch

We spiked the punch bowl with a cinnamon-infused simple syrup and whiskey for your holiday sipping pleasure.

Get the recipe for Citrus Whiskey Punch »

Justin Coit

Ginger Bee Sting

Toast the holidays with this gingery-lemon cocktail mixed up by Lauren Conrad. It's even sweeter served in pretty vintage glassware.

Get the recipe for Ginger Bee Stings »

Erin Phraner

Slow-Cooker Peppermint Bark Hot Chocolate

We turned our seasonal obsession — peppermint bark — into an easy cocktail. Serving tip: Use a slow cooker to make the hot chocolate and keep it warm during the party.

SHOP SLOW COOKERS

Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Peppermint Bark Hot Chocolate »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Samantha MacAvoy Samantha MacAvoy is the Editorial Assistant on the Good Housekeeping food team, where she writes about tasty recipes from the Test Kitchen, must-try food products and tools, and top-tested secrets for home cooking success.

Catherine Lo Catherine (Cathy) Lo is Senior Food Editor for the team that produces culinary content for Hearst brands such as Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention and Women’s Health and spends her time helping to write and perfect recipes in the test kitchen, testing food products and beverages (both alcoholic and non) and keeping up with the latest food trends.