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Christmasify
31 Recipes

Christmas Drinks & Cocktails

Mulled wine, eggnog, festive cocktails, warm punches, and cozy mocktails for every Christmas gathering. Batch recipes included for stress-free entertaining.

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Bottle of deep red Christmas infused vodka with cranberries, cinnamon stick, and orange peel visible through the glass 10 min Easy

Christmas Infused Vodka
Czech Christmas kompot with dried fruit, cinnamon stick, and cloves in a glass pitcher 40 min Easy

Christmas Kompot (Czech Dried Fruit Compote)
Homemade Christmas liqueur in a clear glass bottle with cinnamon stick and dried orange, amber-golden color 30 min Easy

Homemade Christmas Liqueur
Two glass mugs of deep red hibiscus hot toddy with cinnamon sticks and orange slices on the rim, steaming on a white surface 10 min Easy

Hibiscus Hot Toddy
Overhead view of a pitcher of christmas juice made with cranberry, pomegranate, and fresh orange slices 5 min Easy

Christmas Juice (Cranberry Pomegranate Holiday Drink)
Spiced pomegranate punch in a clear glass punch bowl with orange slices and cinnamon sticks floating on the surface 30 min Easy

Spiced Pomegranate Punch
Overhead view of a ceramic mug of red wine hot chocolate with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick on white countertop 15 min Easy

Red Wine Hot Chocolate
Hot chai apple cider in a glass mug with cinnamon stick and star anise, steam rising 25 min Easy

Chai Apple Cider (Chaider)
Bourbon gingerbread hot chocolate in a white mug topped with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick 15 min Easy

Bourbon Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Slow cooker mulled cider in a glass punch bowl with orange slices and cinnamon sticks 130 min Easy

Slow Cooker Mulled Cider
Classic British snowball cocktail in a highball glass with advocaat and lemonade, lime slice on the rim 5 min Easy

Classic Snowball Drink Recipe (Advocaat and Lemonade)
Glass mug of non-alcoholic mulled wine made with grape juice, cinnamon stick, orange slice, and star anise 35 min Easy

Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Recipe (Virgin Mulled Wine)
Two mugs of homemade peppermint hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and candy canes, overhead view 10 min Easy

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Christmas champagne cocktail with pomegranate arils and orange peel in a crystal flute 5 min Easy

Christmas Champagne Cocktail with Pomegranate
Gingerbread old fashioned cocktail in a crystal rocks glass with candied ginger and cinnamon stick garnish 20 min Easy

Gingerbread Old Fashioned
Christmas espresso martini with eggnog foam and coffee beans garnish in a cocktail glass 5 min Easy

Christmas Espresso Martini with Eggnog
Swedish glogg in a glass mug with almonds, raisins, and a cinnamon stick 35 min Easy

Swedish Glogg Recipe (Traditional Scandinavian Mulled Wine)
Glass mug of Czech mulled wine svarak with orange slice and cinnamon stick, steam rising 25 min Easy

Czech Mulled Wine (Svařené Víno)
Ponche navideño in a white ceramic mug with tejocote, cinnamon stick, and steam rising 60 min Easy

Ponche Navideño (Mexican Christmas Punch)
Non-alcoholic Christmas punch in a glass punch bowl with cranberry and orange slices 10 min Easy

Non-Alcoholic Christmas Punch with Cranberry and Citrus
Christmas hot chocolate in a white mug topped with whipped cream and cinnamon 15 min Easy

Christmas Hot Chocolate with Warming Spices
Christmas martini cocktail in a crystal glass with cranberry and rosemary garnish 5 min Easy

Christmas Martini with Cranberry and Rosemary
Bowl of traditional Christmas wassail with floating orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries 70 min Easy

Traditional Christmas Wassail
Glass mug of German mulled wine with orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise 25 min Easy

Classic German Mulled Wine (Gluehwein)
Glass of classic homemade eggnog topped with freshly grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick 30 min Medium

Classic Homemade Eggnog
Glass of coquito Puerto Rican coconut eggnog with cinnamon and nutmeg 15 min Easy

Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog)
Two cranberry Christmas margaritas in sugar-rimmed coupe glasses garnished with rosemary and cranberries 10 min Easy

Christmas Margarita with Cranberry and Rosemary
Christmas Moscow mule cocktails in copper mugs with cranberry, lime, and rosemary garnish 20 min Easy

Christmas Moscow Mule with Cranberry and Rosemary
Sparkling Christmas punch in a glass bowl with cranberries and orange slices 10 min Easy

Sparkling Christmas Punch with Cranberry and Orange
Cranberry gin fizz cocktails with rosemary sprigs and fresh cranberries in highball glasses 25 min Easy

Cranberry Gin Fizz with Rosemary and Sparkling Water
Christmas sangria in a glass pitcher with orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise 15 min Easy

Christmas Sangria with Warm Spices and Citrus
The Christmasify Kitchen

Festive Drinks for Every Occasion

Nothing says Christmas quite like a warm mug of mulled wine, the scent of cinnamon and cloves filling the house. From traditional Glühwein simmering on the stove to modern holiday cocktails garnished with rosemary sprigs and cranberries, Christmas drinks are an essential part of the celebration.

The beauty of festive drinks is their versatility. A big-batch punch or mulled wine can be prepared in a slow cooker and kept warm all evening - freeing you from bartending duties at your Christmas party. Classic eggnog, whether spiked with bourbon or made as a family-friendly version, is as much a tradition as the tree itself.

For non-drinkers and children, Christmas mocktails are more than an afterthought. Sparkling cranberry punch, spiced apple cider, hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, and Mexican ponche navideño are all drinks worth making in their own right. A good host always has at least one show-stopping non-alcoholic option.

Whether you are looking for a warming drink to serve after Christmas dinner, a cocktail to toast with at midnight on Christmas Eve, or a batch recipe that serves a crowd, these tested recipes have you covered.

Christmas Drinks & Cocktails Tips

Expert advice for perfect results every time.

  1. 1

    Never boil mulled wine

    Heat mulled wine gently and keep it below a simmer. Boiling burns off the alcohol and makes the spices taste bitter. Low heat for 20–30 minutes infuses the flavours perfectly.

  2. 2

    Make syrups in advance

    Simple syrup, cinnamon syrup, and ginger syrup all keep for 2–3 weeks in the fridge. Make them ahead so cocktail assembly is just a matter of measuring, shaking, and pouring.

  3. 3

    Chill cocktail glasses

    Put glasses in the freezer for 15–20 minutes before serving cold cocktails. A frosted glass keeps drinks colder longer and adds a touch of elegance that guests notice.

  4. 4

    Use large ice cubes for spirits

    Large ice cubes or spheres melt more slowly than small ones, keeping drinks cold without diluting them too quickly. Silicone moulds are inexpensive and make a noticeable difference in quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about christmas drinks & cocktails, answered.

What are traditional Christmas drinks?

Traditional Christmas drinks vary by country. Mulled wine (Glühwein) is popular across Europe. Eggnog is a North American staple. Ponche navideño is essential in Mexico. Wassail (a warm spiced cider) is a British tradition dating back centuries. Gløgg is the Scandinavian take on mulled wine. In Italy, limoncello and prosecco cocktails are festive favourites.

How do I make mulled wine?

Combine a bottle of red wine (something fruity and inexpensive) with 2 tablespoons of sugar, an orange studded with cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 star anise, and a splash of brandy or port. Heat gently for 20–30 minutes without boiling. Strain and serve in heatproof glasses or mugs. Adjust sweetness to taste.

What Christmas drinks can I make for a crowd?

Batch drinks are ideal for parties. Mulled wine simmers in a slow cooker. Eggnog can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Cranberry punch mixes in a large bowl or dispenser. Spiced cider keeps warm in a stockpot. A champagne or prosecco cocktail bar (with pre-made mixers and garnishes) lets guests serve themselves.

What are good non-alcoholic Christmas drinks?

Great non-alcoholic options include sparkling cranberry-ginger punch, hot spiced apple cider, Mexican ponche (fruit-based warm punch), hot chocolate with whipped cream and peppermint, virgin mulled "wine" made with grape juice and spices, and homemade ginger beer. These should be presented with the same care as alcoholic drinks - garnished and served in proper glasses.

What wine goes best with Christmas dinner?

For turkey: a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir or a rich white like Chardonnay. For ham: a slightly sweet Riesling or rosé. For beef: a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec. For dessert: a late-harvest wine, port, or Sauternes. If serving multiple courses, start with lighter wines and progress to fuller-bodied options. Prosecco or Champagne works with everything and starts the meal on a celebratory note.