When it comes to hosting a holiday party, the right cocktails can transform an ordinary gathering into a memorable celebration. Whether you’re mixing up classics, trying creative holiday cocktail ideas, or crafting alcohol-free mocktails, a festive drink menu is essential to set the tone for the evening. From warm and cozy to light and bubbly, these recipes will inspire you to serve something truly special. And as a bonus, we’ve included three holiday mocktails to ensure everyone can raise a glass!
Essential Tips for Serving Cocktails at a Holiday Party
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s talk strategy.
Prepare Ahead: Mix large-batch cocktails in advance to minimize time spent bartending.
Garnish Smart: Stock up on fresh herbs, citrus slices, and festive elements like sugared cranberries or crushed candy canes.
Offer Variety: Provide a mix of flavors—sweet, spicy, creamy, and tart—plus non-alcoholic options to please all your guests.
Now, let’s get mixing!
Classic Eggnog with a Twist
Ingredients:
4 cups milk
4 egg yolks
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup bourbon (optional)
Whipped cream (for garnish)
Instructions:
Heat milk in a saucepan until warm.
In a bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy.
Slowly add warm milk to the egg mixture, then return to the saucepan. Heat gently until thickened.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, nutmeg, and bourbon (if using).
Chill before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
Pomegranate Sparkler
Ingredients:
1 oz pomegranate juice
4 oz prosecco or sparkling wine
Pomegranate seeds and rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions:
Pour pomegranate juice into a flute glass.
Top with prosecco.
Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a sprig of rosemary.
Spiced Cranberry Mule
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
½ oz cranberry juice
Ginger beer (to top)
Lime wedge and sugared cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a copper mug with ice.
Add vodka and cranberry juice.
Top with ginger beer, squeeze in lime juice, and garnish.
Mulled Wine Magic
Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine
1 cup apple cider
2 tbsp honey
1 orange (sliced)
4 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
Heat gently, but do not boil.
Let simmer for 20 minutes, then serve warm.
Candy Cane Martini
Ingredients:
2 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz peppermint schnapps
1 oz cream
Crushed candy canes for garnish
Instructions:
Rim a martini glass with crushed candy canes.
Shake vodka, schnapps, and cream with ice.
Strain into the prepared glass.
Winter Sangria
Ingredients:
1 bottle white wine
1 cup apple juice
1 apple (sliced)
1 orange (sliced)
1 cinnamon stick
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher.
Chill for at least two hours before serving.
Hot Buttered Rum
Ingredients:
1 cup hot water
2 oz dark rum
1 tsp butter
1 tsp brown sugar
Pinch of cinnamon
Instructions:
Combine butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a mug.
Add rum and hot water.
Stir until butter melts.
Gingerbread Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
1 tsp gingerbread syrup
Dash of bitters
Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
Stir bourbon, syrup, and bitters over ice.
Strain into a glass with a large ice cube.
Garnish with orange peel.
White Christmas Margarita
Ingredients:
2 oz silver tequila
1 oz coconut milk
½ oz triple sec
Lime wedge and coconut flakes for garnish
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice.
Rim a glass with lime juice and coconut flakes.
Strain cocktail into the prepared glass.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Baileys
Ingredients:
1 cup hot chocolate
1 oz Baileys Irish Cream
Crushed candy canes and whipped cream for garnish
Instructions:
Pour Baileys into hot chocolate.
Top with whipped cream and candy canes.
Cranberry Rosemary Gin Fizz
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
1 oz cranberry juice
½ oz simple syrup
1 oz club soda
Fresh rosemary sprig and cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
In a shaker, combine gin, cranberry juice, and simple syrup with ice. Shake well.
Strain into a glass filled with ice.
Top with club soda.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a few fresh cranberries.
Bonus: 3 Holiday Mocktails
Sparkling Cranberry Lime
Ingredients:
2 oz cranberry juice
4 oz sparkling water
Lime wedge for garnish
Cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
Pour cranberry juice into a glass of ice.
Top with sparkling water.
Garnish with lime and cranberries.
Rosemary Citrus Fizz
Ingredients:
1 oz orange juice
1 oz lemon juice
3 oz club soda
Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions:
Combine orange and lemon juice in a glass.
Top with club soda.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
Spiced Pear Cooler
Ingredients:
2 oz pear juice
2 oz ginger ale
Dash of cinnamon
Instructions:
Pour pear juice and ginger ale over ice.
Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Conclusion
With these festive cocktails and holiday mocktails, your holiday party is bound to be a hit. Whether you’re impressing guests with a Gingerbread Old Fashioned or keeping things cozy with Mulled Wine, there’s a drink for every occasion. Don’t forget to pair your creations with delicious appetizers for a truly memorable event!