18 Festive Christmas Cocktails Even Santa Claus Loves

The Christmas season is prime for spirits, both among people and the liquid type found in a bottle. Christmas cocktails are a great way to shake up fun holiday cocktails to capitalize on any spirit you want, and whether you're a guest or the host, everyone is sure to enjoy these holiday cocktails.

Peppermint Twist Martini

Start, or end, your evening with an elegant, classic holiday-themed martini

Ingredients

• Lemon wedge and sugar for rim
• 1½ ounces vodka
• ¾ ounce peppermint schnapps
• ½ ounce vanilla liqueur
• Ice
• Peppermint candy for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lemon wedge.
3. With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
4. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and vanilla liqueur.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into prepared glass.
7. Garnish with peppermint candy.

Jack Frost's Martini

The frosted sugar rim and icy blue color of the martini are a fun look at any Christmas party.

Ingredients

• Lime wedge and sugar for rim
• 1½ ounces white rum
• 1 ounce blue curaçao
• ½ ounce pineapple juice
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lime wedge.
3. With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
4. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white rum, blue curaçao, lime juice, and pineapple juice.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into prepared glass.

Pink Poinsettia Fizz

This is a cozy riff on the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail, but with bubbly.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces citron vodka
• ¾ ounce cranberry juice
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Ice
• Prosecco to top off
• Skewered cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, citron vodka, cranberry juice, and lemon juice.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Top off with prosecco.
6. Garnish with skewered cranberries and rosemary sprig.

Christmas Collins

Bold pomegranate transforms the classic collins into a holiday favorite as if by magic.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces London dry gin
• ¾ ounce pomegranate juice
• ¾ ounce lime juice
• ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup
• Ice
• Club soda to top off
• Pomegranate seeds, rosemary sprig, and lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a highball glass, add ice, gin, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and rosemary simple syrup.
2. Stir to mix.
3. Top off with club soda.
4. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, rosemary sprig, and lime wedge.

Christmas Morning Bloody Marys

There's no better time to punch up a traditional Bloody Mary than on Christmas morning. Whether you enjoy it with breakfast or use the garnish as a snack while you wait, these will be a crowd-pleaser. You can go even further by adding other vegetables or even candied bacon.

Ingredients

• Lemon wedge and rim salt for rim
• 6 ounces Bloody Mary mix
• 1 ounce peppar vodka
• 1 ounce lemon vodka
• Ice
• Pickle, ham, grape tomato, and celery for garnish

Instructions

1. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
2. With the salt on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in it to coat.
3. In a cocktail shaker, add Bloody Mary mix, peppar vodka, and lemon vodka.
4. Shake to chill.
5. Strain into prepared glass.
6. Garnish with celery and skewered pickle, ham, and grape tomato.

Rosy Cheeks

Whether you enjoy these bubbles in the morning or at night, they're sure to add a little pink to your cheeks.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce gin
• ½ ounce raspberry liqueur
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Prosecco to top off
• Thyme sprig and raspberry for garnish

Instructions

1. In a champagne flute, add gin, raspberry liqueur, and lemon juice.
2. Top off with prosecco.
3. Garnish with thyme sprig and raspberry.

Jolly Green Jingle

This Midori cocktail looks best in green cups, but don't worry if that's not around. A green sugar or sprinkle rim will do the trick too.

Ingredients

• Lemon wedge and green sugar for rim
• 1¾ ounces Midori
• 1½ ounces pineapple juice
• Ice
• Rosemary sprig, pomegranate seeds, and lime wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
2. With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
3. In a cocktail shaker, add Midori and pineapple juice.
4. Shake to chill.
5. Strain into prepared glass.
6. Garnish with rosemary sprig, pomegranate seeds, and lime wheel.

Midnight Express

Whether you're expected to attend midnight mass or you need an afternoon pick-me-up, this espresso libation will get you going.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces bourbon
• 1 ounce coffee liqueur
• ¾ ounce chilled espresso or coffee
• ½ ounce crème de cacao
• Ice
• Three whole coffee beans for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, coffee liqueur, espresso, and crème de cacao.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with three whole coffee beans.

Winter's Tonic

The classic flavors of a gin and tonic get a seasonal upgrade; it's hard to not feel merry with this drink in hand.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• ¼ ounce rosemary simple syrup
• Ice
• Tonic to top off
• Rosemary sprig and orange wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, orange liqueur, and rosemary simple syrup.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Without straining, pour into rocks glass.
4. Garnish with rosemary sprig and orange wedge.

Vixen's Martini

Break out of the regular Christmas colors and enjoy this purple-hued martini.

Ingredients

• 1¾ ounces Empress 1908 gin
• ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ ounce simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Ice
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
3. Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
4. Add ice to shaker.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into chilled glass.
7. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

String Lights Old-Fashioned

The garnish of cocktail cherries on a cocktail skewer resembles the iconic look of Christmas lights in this old-fashioned.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces bourbon
• ¾ ounce maraschino liqueur
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• 2 dashes walnut bitters
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Ice and king cube
• Three cocktail cherries skewered for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, bourbon, maraschino liqueur, and bitters.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice or king cube.
4. Garnish with skewered cocktail cherries.

Grandma's Christmas Tree

After you've finished hanging the ornaments on the Christmas tree, sometimes you see Grandma go back to move them around. Why? Good question. But this martini will keep you busy while you watch her redecorate and have the last word.

Ingredients

• Lime wedge and sugar for rim
• 1 ounce gin
• ¾ ounce green chartreuse
• ¾ ounce maraschino liqueur
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice
• Lime wheel, cherry, and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
3. With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
4. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into prepared glass.
7. Garnish with lime wheel, cherry, and mint sprig.

Amaretto's Kiss

A sweet spin on the amaretto sour, with some raspberry flavors to make it perfect for Christmas.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces almond liqueur
• ¾ ounce raspberry liqueur
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce bourbon
• 1 egg white
• Ice
• Raspberries for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add almond liqueur, raspberry liqueur, lemon juice, bourbon, and egg white.
3. Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
4. Add ice to shaker.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into chilled glass.
7. Garnish with raspberries.

An Introvert's Christmas Martini

Sometimes you're not looking to start conversations. Sometimes, you just want to sit quietly in a corner and joyfully watch the room.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces gin
• ½ ounce cranberry vodka
• ½ ounce dry vermouth
• Ice
• Cranberries for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, cranberry vodka, and dry vermouth.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with cranberries.

Rudolph's Nose

No reindeer were harmed in the making of this cocktail--the cranberries are just a reminder of his shiny red nose.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces lemon vodka
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• ½ ounce almond liqueur
• 3 dashes cranberry bitters
• Ice
• Whole cranberries
• Club soda to top off
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. In a highball glass, add whole cranberries then ice.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, lemon vodka, orange liqueur, almond liqueur, and cranberry bitters.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into prepared highball glass.
5. Top off with club soda.
6. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

North Pole Borough

This bourbon libation is a Manhattan riff fitting for the North Pole.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces whiskey
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• ¼ ounce simple syrup
• 4 dashes cranberry bitters
• Ice
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, whiskey, sweet vermouth, simple syrup, and cranberry bitters.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with orange peel.

Rosemary Gimlet

A Christmas cocktail for the relatives who aren't interested in trying or learning new things. This drink could at least be a small step forward.

Ingredients

• 2½ ounces gin or vodka
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup
• ¼ ounce maraschino liqueur
• Ice
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, lime juice, rosemary simple syrup, and maraschino liqueur.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

Gingerbread Man Martini

Whether you're elbow deep in a gingerbread house contest or you've run out of gingerbread cookies and can't get enough of this Christmas flavor, this martini has you covered.

Ingredients

• Molasses and crushed gingerbread cookies for rim
• 1 ounce vanilla vodka
• ¾ ounce Irish cream
• ½ ounce cinnamon schnapps
• ½ ounce coffee liqueur
• ¼ ounce ginger liqueur
• Ice
• Ground nutmeg for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with molasses.
3. With the crushed cookies on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the crumbs to coat.
4. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, Irish cream, cinnamon schnapps, coffee liqueur, and ginger liqueur.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into prepared glass.
7. Garnish with ground nutmeg.

Yule Be Jolly

As the Christmas season approaches, don't find yourself caught off guard without a recipe on hand. And, if you're serving a crowd, opt for a Christmas punch like a boozy Grinch punch. Whether you want to go the traditional route or shake up something new, you can't go amiss with any Christmas cocktails recipe. Now if you're looking for a holiday beverage to warm your soul, try some hot Christmas drinks.