32 Christmas & Holiday Cocktail Recipes for the Festive Season

If you're on the hunt for festive Christmas party cocktails and holiday cocktail recipes, look no further. Other than a visit from Santa, what could bring more cheer to the holiday season than a delicious holiday cocktail?

We've combed through some of the best Christmas and holiday cocktails on the internet to make sure you really do have a holly jolly Christmas this year. So whether you're hosting a Christmas party or office holiday get-together, cozy up by the fire with a proper holiday drink this December. 

Pro Tip: Hiring a bartender for your holiday party? Find some inspiration on this list to help decide on what signature cocktail to serve.

Note: recipes are for one serving unless listed otherwise.

1. Sparkling Winter Berry Cocktail

Photo: thebusybaker.com

Adding fresh fruit and cranberry juice to prosecco makes for an easy (and tasty!) holiday beverage. This particular cocktail is easy to serve as a mocktail as well — just swap the bubbly for soda water! Check out this recipe from The Busy Baker.

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

4 cups cranberry juice

2 cups apple juice

1/3 cup strawberry-flavoured syrup (grenadine bar syrup also works)

3/4 to 1 liter sparkling water or champagne (or your favourite sparkling wine, 7up, ginger ale, or any other sparkling beverage works here)

Water and sugar for rimming the glasses (optional)

Garnish: fresh or frozen cranberries, fresh blueberries, fresh strawberries

Instructions

1. Add the cranberry juice, apple juice, and strawberry syrup to a large pitcher and stir well until combined.
2. Rim glasses with sugar by moistening the rim of the glass with water and then dipping the rim of the glass in sugar (place some sugar on a plate).
3. Fill each glass half full with the juice mixture and add a few berries to each glass as well, placing a strawberry on the rim of each glass.
4. Top it up with the sparkling water, champagne or other sparkling beverage of your choice.

2. Very Merry Ornamentini

Photo: inspiredbycharm.com

This might be the merriest cocktail we’ve ever seen! Between the deep shade of red, bold fruity flavor, and being served in a festive ornament, what else can you ask for in a holiday drink? This beverage by Inspired By Charm is going to be the talk of the holiday party!

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 cup vodka

1/2 cup orange liqueur

1/2 cup cherry juice

1/4 cup cranberry juice

1/4 cup orange juice freshly squeezed with pulp removed

Sugared cranberries (linked in notes) and fresh rosemary sprigs to garnish

Instructions

1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously.
2. Using a funnel, pour the mixture into four 3-inch clear glass ornaments that have been rinsed. Replace the topper on each ornament.
3. Add sugared cranberries and a rosemary sprig to four martini glasses. Set the ornament in the glass to serve. 
4. Before drinking, slowly pour the contents of the ornament onto the cranberries.

3. Tipsy Grinch Punch

Photo: simplisticallyliving.com

Mr. Grinch isn’t fond of much, but we think he’d find this Tipsy Grinch Punch absolutely refreshing! If you want to make your holiday party stand out this year, consider hosting a How The Grinch Stole Christmas theme, and make sure to whip up a big batch of this punch.

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 13 oz. Packet of Lemon-Lime Kool-Aid

1 Cup Sugar

8 oz. Pineapple Juice

8 oz. Frozen Lemonade Concentrate

1/4 Cup Sprite

1 Cup Vodka

Instructions

1. First, start by adding all of your ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
2. Next, make the cocktail glass by wetting just the rim of the glass. You need the rim to be wet or sticky before you add the red sanding sugar. I often like to use a bit of corn syrup on my finger, rub it along the rim then dip the top of the glass into the red sanding sugar.
3. Once your glass has been made, you can make the straw by hot gluing the red heart bead onto a lime green straw. I cut the straw to ensure it fit perfectly inside the cocktail glass.
4. Once your straw and cup is ready, carefully pour the cocktail drink mixture into the cocktail glass (avoid getting the sugar wet or it will begin to dissolve).
5. Serve right away and enjoy!

4. Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail

Photo: halfbakedharvest.com

The flavor combination of elderflower, clementine, and ginger mixes together for a delicious and refreshing holiday cocktail. Check out this festive recipe by Half Baked Harvest that you’re going to want to make this winter season.

Ingredients

2 ounces vodka

1/2 ounce St. Germain (elderflower liquor)

1/3 cup fresh squeezed clementine or blood orange juice

Ginger beer, for topping

Pomegranate arils, for topping

1 sprig fresh thyme or mint

Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Add the vodka, elderflower liquor (if using), and clementine juice. Top with ginger beer. Add the pomegranates and thyme or mint. Enjoy!

5. Gingerbread Margarita

Photo: kimspireddiy.com

Easy holiday cocktail recipes that are still delicious are hard to come by, but this gingerbread margarita by Kimspired DIY is a must-make for this year. With butterscotch, cinnamon, and nutmeg flavors, this cozy cocktail is just what you need.

Ingredients

2 oz spiced rum

1 oz tequila

1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps

1 tbsp maple syrup

Ginger beer

2 drops cinnamon extract

Pinch nutmeg

Lime wedge

Cinnamon sugar for rim

Allspice

Ice

Instructions

1. Run lime wedge along rim of cocktail glass, and dip rim in blend of cinnamon sugar to stick. Add ice.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add spiced rum, tequila, butterscotch schnapps, maple syrup, and cinnamon extract. Shake vigorously.
3. Pour cocktail mixture over ice. Pour ginger beer on top to fill glass.
4. Add a pinch of nutmeg to top and 3-4 whole allspice berries for garnish.

6. Sugar Cookie Martini

Photo: spicysouthernkitchen.com

Your favorite holiday dessert transformed into a handheld cocktail sounds like a Christmas miracle to us! Get the simple holiday cocktail recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Ingredients

1/4 cup half-and-half

1 ounce Bailey's

1 ounce vanilla vodka

1 ounce amaretto

Ice

1 tablespoon canned vanilla frosting

Sprinkles and a maraschino cherry

Instructions

1. Combine half-and-half, Bailey's, vodka, amaretto and ice in a cocktail shaker Shake until cold.
2. Coat the rim of a martini glass with frosting and sprinkles.
3. Pour martini into glass and garnish with a cherry.

7. Spicy Sriracha Dirty Shirley Cocktail

Photo: passthesushi.com

If you’re a fan of a more savory cocktail like a Bloody Mary or Dirty Martini, you’ll love this Spicy Sriracha Dirty Shirley Cocktail by Pass the Sushi for the holiday season.

Ingredients

Ice

1 oz Amarena cherry syrup

1 teaspoon Yellowbird blue agave sriracha

2 oz smoked gin

4 oz lemon lime soda

1 Amarena cherry - for garnish

Instructions

1. Place ice in a tall cocktail glass.
2. Add the Amarena cherry syrup and blue agave sriracha agave over the ice.
3. Pour in the gin and soda.
4. Stir gently.
5. Add the Amarena cherry to garnish.
6. Serve

8. Holiday Eggnog Brandy

Photo: thespruceeats.com

This simple eggnog and brandy is a holiday cocktail classic. With just a few ingredients, enjoy this decadent cocktail as a nightcap after dinner. Try this recipe by The Spruce Eats!

Ingredients

1 ounce brandy

1 ¼ ounces milk

1/2 ounce simple syrup

1 large egg yolk

Garnish: Grated nutmeg, or cinnamon

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the brandy, milk, simple syrup, and egg yolk. Dry shake without ice.
2. Fill the shaker with ice, then shake vigorously for about 30 seconds to ensure the egg is well mixed.
3. Strain into an old-fashioned or cocktail glass.
4. Add a dash of grated nutmeg or cinnamon as a garnish. Serve and enjoy.

Pro Tip: Before making a cocktail with raw egg, we recommend testing it first. Just place your egg in a glass of water. If it sinks to the bottom, it's fresh — but if it floats, don't use it. 

9. Christmas Aperol Spritz With Sloe Gin

Photo: littlesugarsnaps.com

You might think an Aperol spritz is more of a summery beverage than a holiday cocktail — but the addition of sloe gin and a sprig of rosemary surprisingly changes the game. Check out Little Sugar Snaps for the full recipe, as well as the lowdown on sloe gin and how it's not actually gin! 

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces Aperol

3/4 ounces Sloe Gin

2 ¼ ounces soda water (club soda)

2 ¼ ounces prosecco

Garnish: Ice, 1 rosemary sprig, 5 raspberries and 1 orange slice

Instructions

1. Put the ice into a large glass - a balloon wine glass or a Copa glass is ideal
2. Pour in the Aperol and sloe gin
3. Top with the soda water and Prosecco
4. Put the rosemary sprig in the palm of one hand and clap the other hand down sharply on it. This helps release the aroma. Drop into the glass
5. Add the orange slice and raspberries
6. Serve immediately

10. Mulled Wine

Photo: themodernproper.com

The best thing about making mulled wine? Well aside from drinking it, it's the heavenly aroma that'll make your whole house smell like Christmas. With fresh winter spices, orange, and a rich syrah — you've got all you need for the perfect batch. Find the full recipe on The Modern Proper. 

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 (750 ml) bottle red wine

2 oranges

3 cinnamon sticks

5 star anise

10 whole cloves

3/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients except the oranges into a medium-sized pot.
2. Using a sharp knife or peeler, peel half of one orange. Avoid peeling as much pith (white part) as possible, as it has a bitter taste.
3. Juice the oranges and add to the pot along with the orange peel.
4. Over medium heat, warm the mixture until just steaming. Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Heat for 30 minutes to let the spices infuse.

11. Sugar Plum Bubbly Cocktail

Photo: foodal.com

Even if you can't go out to see the Nutcracker ballet this holiday season, tap into the festivities with this sugar plum cocktail from Foodal. It's the perfect cocktail to make if you plan on streaming a previous performance from home, or even during your holiday Zoom celebration!

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

1 ounce espresso, chilled

1 cup champagne

1 ounce plum brandy

2 sugar cubes

Purple sanding sugar

Instructions

1. Wet the edges of two champagne flutes with water. Rim with purple sanding sugar and set aside.
2. Pour the brandy and espresso into another glass or pitcher-style measuring cup, and stir to combine.
3. Add a sugar cube to each champagne flute. Divide brandy mixture evenly between the two glasses.
4. Divide champagne evenly between the two champagne flutes, making sure to pour slowly as the drink will fizz up when combined.
5. Serve immediately.

12. Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzer 

Photo: tidymom.net

Think of this festive cocktail as a wintery spin-off of the classic sex on the beach. Simply trade the peach schnapps in for maraschino cherries and rosemary — and there you have it! Check out Tidy Mom for the full recipe.

Yield: 10 cups

Ingredients

2 ½ cups orange juice, chilled

2 ½ cups cranberry juice, chilled

2 cups ginger ale, 7UP or Sprite, chilled

2 cups vodka (chilled)

1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice, chilled

Juice of one large lemon (about 1/4 cup)

Garnish: Cranberries or maraschino cherries and rosemary sprigs

Instructions

1. In a larger pitcher or punch bowl combine all of the ingredients (leave out vodka if you want non-alcoholic version)
   Stir well.
2. Serve over ice and garnish with cranberries or maraschino cherries and a rosemary sprig. 

13. Mrs. Claus Cranberry Whiskey Cocktail

Photo: thecollegehousewife.com

How beautiful are those sugared cranberries? This delicious holiday cocktail lets you get creative with its lovely garnish and a rosemary syrup. Check out The College Housewife's recipe for more recipe tips.

Ingredients

1 ounce of cranberry juice

Cinnamon Sticks or 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1 ounce whiskey or bourbon

1 tablespoon of rosemary simple syrup

Garnish: rosemary sprig and sugared cranberries

Instructions

1. Break the cinnamon stick in half or add in 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to shaker. Fill shaker with cranberry juice, whiskey, rosemary simple syrup and ice.
2. Shake for 30 seconds. Pour into glass. Serve with rosemary sprig and sugared cranberries. (Dip cranberries + rosemary sprigs into water and sprinkle with sugar. Let dry for a holiday sugared look!)

*Note: to make rosemary simple syrup, bring 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to a simmer. Remove from heat and add in three 5-inch rosemary sprigs. Steep for 20 minutes and strain mixture into a jar.

Pro Tip: Make sure to use real, unsweetened cranberry juice, and not cranberry cocktail mix. The latter will make this cocktail too sweet! 

14. Rosemary-Smoked Negroni

Photo: vinepair.com

Rosemary really is the herb of the holidays, isn't it? This rosemary-smoked negroni is a must-try for seasoned imbibers and cocktail lovers alike. Simply torch (or light) a sprig of rosemary over your negroni for an added element of herbaceous smoke. Check out Vine Pair for the full recipe! 

Ingredients

1 ounce Campari

1 ounce sweet vermouth

1 ounce London Dry gin

Garnish: sprig of rosemary

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir gently to chill and combine.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with rosemary sprig. Enjoy!

15. Holiday Pomegranate Smash

Photo: howsweeteats.com

Home Sweet Eats truly nails this pomegranate smash recipe! Pomegranate juice, vodka, and a touch of maple syrup topped with bubbly? Yes, please. 

Ingredients

Crushed ice

1 tablespoon pomegranate arils

2 ounces pomegranate juice

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 ounce vodka

4 to 6 ounces prosecco

1 tablespoon pomegranate arils

Garnish: sprig of rosemary

Instructions

1. Fill a glass with crushed ice.
2. Add the pomegranate juice, maple syrup, vodka and stir.
3. Top it off with the prosecco.
4. Add in the arils and garnish with a sprig of rosemary!

16. Gingersnap Scotch Cocktail

Photo: gastronomblog.com

This dark and spicy scotch-based cocktail is the quintessential holiday cocktail. With ginger, amaretto, and amaro, you'll be sipping on the closest thing to a gingersnap cookie — ahem, a seriously boozy gingersnap cookie — in no time. 

Ingredients

1 ounce Scotch

1/2 ounce Amaretto

3/4 ounce Amaro di Angostura

1/4 ounce ginger liqueur

2 dashes lemon juice

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients into a mixing glass.
2. Add ice. Stir until chilled.
3. Strain into cocktail coupe.

17. Mistletoe Kiss Cocktail 

Photo: smells-like-home.com

The mistletoe kiss cocktail recipe from Smells Like Home is essentially a more delicious (and festive) version of a vodka lemonade. As far as Christmas cocktails are concerned, this one is super refreshing! 

Ingredients

3 ounce vodka

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 ounce rosemary simple syrup

Club soda

Garnish: Handful of fresh cranberries (whole frozen berries are ok) and sprigs of rosemary

Instructions

1. Pour vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a drink shaker filled with ice.
2. Cover and shake well to blend. Strain and pour into a rock glass filled with ice
3. Top with club soda and a few cranberries for garnish. Add a sprig of rosemary to use as a stirrer.

18. Spiked Butterscotch Hot Chocolate 

Photo: canva.com

This! Cocktail! Is! Everything! It's everything you could ever want in a spiked hot chocolate! Whipped cream? Check. Butterscotch liqueur? Check! Decadent, creamy hot chocolate? With a kick? Check, check, check. Oh, and ~check~ out The House And Hive for the full recipe! 

Ingredients

Your favorite hot chocolate mix

2% milk

Dekuyper Butterscotch Liqueur

Whipped cream

Shaved chocolate

Marshmallows (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat milk. Add hot chocolate mix and stir until dissolved. Add butterscotch liqueur and mix.
2. Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Marshmallows optional.

Pro Tip: The recipe doesn't call for it, but if you're looking for an extra kick — swap out some of the milk and throw in an ounce of Baileys!  

19. Hot Buttered Rum Cider

Photo: Ed Anderson/Punchdrink.com

If you've never tried hot buttered rum cider, you need to stop what you're doing, and head over to Punch Drink for the recipe right now. Go on! 

Ingredients

1 ½ ounce aged Haitian rum (preferably Barbancourt 8 year)

1 tablespoon spiced compound butter

6 ounces mulled apple cider

Garnish: cinnamon stick, star anise and an orange peel studded with a clove

Instructions

1. Add rum, mulled cider and compound butter into a saucepan and heat until the butter has dissolved and the liquid is steaming.
2. Pour into a heat-proof mug.
3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise and a disc of orange peel studded with a clove.

20. Holiday Mule

Photo: weekendcraft.com

Although they're pretty, you don't actually need a copper mule mug set to make this holiday cocktail. Any glass will do! Go to Weekend Craft to check out the recipe for their festive take on the classic Moscow mule cocktail. 

Ingredients

2 oz of Vodka

2 oz of Cranberry Juice

4 oz of Ginger Beer

1/2 oz of Lime Juice

Lime Wedge

5-8 Frozen Cranberries

Sprig of Rosemary

Ice

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker mix together ice cranberry juice, lime and vodka. 
2. In a copper mug pour cranberry mixture over ice. Combine with ginger beer.
3. Garnish with frozen cranberries, lime wedge and rosemary. Enjoy!

Pro Tip: Keep some extra ginger beer and cranberry juice on hand for anyone who might prefer a non-alcoholic mocktail!

21. Gingerbread Martini 

Photo: foodnetwork.com

This festive cocktail recipe from Food Network has quite a few steps — but we promise, the effort is worthwhile. If you've ever dreamt of a creamy, melt in your mouth, gingerbread martini, then this drink is just for you. You won't even need to bother with dessert if you're serving these! 

Ingredients

1 ounce Irish cream liqueur, such as Baileys

1 ounce vodka

1/2 ounce coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua 

1/2 ounce Gingerbread Syrup, recipe follows

Scoop vanilla ice cream, softened 

Whipped cream, for topping 

Small handful gingerbread cookies, crushed 

Instructions

1. Combine the Irish cream liqueur, vodka, coffee liqueur, Gingerbread Syrup and ice cream in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice and shake well.
3. Pour into four chilled martini glasses.
4. Top each with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of gingerbread cookie crumbs.

Gingerbread Syrup:
Yield: 1 1/2 cups

1 cup sugar

1 cup water 

5 cloves 

2 cinnamon sticks 

One 2-inch piece fresh ginger, cut into rounds 

Add the sugar, water, cloves, cinnamon and ginger to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before using, about 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

22. Poinsettia 

Photo: acouplecooks.com

The poinsettia cocktail, named after the vibrant holiday plant, is basically a Christmas mimosa. Instead of orange juice, you mix cranberry juice and Cointreau with champagne or sparkling wine, and voilà! You've got yourself a festive, bubbly cocktail. Visit A Couple Cooks for the full recipe! 

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Cointreau, or other orange liqueur

4 tablespoons 100% cranberry juice (unsweetened)

1/2 glass champagne (6 tablespoons)

Garnish: 1 rosemary sprig, whole cranberries

Instructions

1. Place the cointreau and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold. Strain the liquid into a champagne flute. (You can skip this step if the cranberry juice is well chilled.)
2. Top off the glass with champagne (no need to measure). Garnish and serve. (Note: You can also make a large batch of cointreau and cranberry juice ahead if desired, then measure out 6 tablespoons per glass.)

23. Classic Hot Toddy

Photo: cookieandkate.com

With whiskey, honey, lemon, and cinnamon sticks, hot toddies are a must during the winter months — whether you have the sniffles or not. Cookie And Kate have a great recipe to use if you've never made one before!

Ingredients

3/4 cup water

1 ½ ounces whiskey

2 to 3 teaspoons honey, to taste

2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste

Garnish: 1 lemon round and 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

Instructions

1. In a teapot or saucepan, bring the water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug.
2. Add the whiskey, 2 teaspoons honey and 2 teaspoon lemon juice. Stir until the honey has disappeared into the hot water. Taste, and add 1 teaspoon honey for more sweetness, and/or 1 teaspoon more lemon juice for more zing.
3. Garnish with a lemon round and cinnamon stick (if using). Enjoy!

24. Pumpkin Coquito

Photo: The Novice Chef Blog

Skip the pie and sip on this delicious dessert drink instead! This creamy pumpkin cocktail is going to be on our holiday drink menu, for sure. Check out The Novice Chef Blog for the full recipe.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups dark rum

2 cinnamon sticks

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (15 oz) can Coco Lopez, cream of coconut – not coconut cream

1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree

1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

pinch of cloves

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 tablespoons shredded coconut, optional

Instructions

1. In a very large pitcher with a lid (or two large jars with lids – this will make about 70 oz of liquid) add rum and cinnamon sticks. Let sit for 1 hour or for up to 24 hours.
2. In a blender, puree all the other ingredients.  Pour into the bottle and shake well to combine with rum and cinnamon sticks.
3. Chill for at least 4 hours and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 
4. You will need to shake vigorously before pouring as the ingredients can settle.

25. Christmas Punch 

Photo: sugarandsoul.co

An easy alternative to making a ton of intricate signature cocktails? A great punch! Besides being foolproof, Sugar And Soul's Christmas punch recipe is so delicious it's sure to please the masses at Christmas dinner. 

Yield: 8 cups

Ingredients

1 orange sliced

1 cup cranberries

1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

2 cup cranberry juice

2 cups orange juice

1 cup pomegranate juice

2 cups Sierra Mist or Sprite

1 cup white rum optional

Ice

Garnish: sprigs of rosemary

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher or punch bowl over ice. If using a really large punch bowl, you can double the recipe.

Pro Tip: If you like your punch on the sweeter side, swap a cup of orange juice for pineapple juice! 

26. Chocolate Peppermint Martini

Photo: chiselandfork.com

If you're a mint-chocolate kind of person, then you should seriously look at this decadent holiday cocktail recipe from Chisel and Fork. 

Ingredients

2 ounces chocolate liqueur

2 ounces Creme de Cacao

1 ½ ounces half-and-half

1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps

Garnish: sprinkle of shaved chocolate

Instructions

1. Mix chocolate liqueur, Creme de Cacao, half-and-half, peppermint schnapps and some ice cubes in martini shaker. Shake for 20 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate.

27. Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

Photo: cdkitchen.com

If you've ever wanted to make your own Irish cream, this recipe from CD Kitchen is a great place to start! It's great served in coffee, mixed with eggnog, or simply on its own over ice. 

Ingredients

1/4 cup light cream

1/4 can (14 ounce size) sweetened condensed milk

1 ½ ounces  Irish whiskey

1/4 teaspoon instant coffee granules

1/2 tablespoon chocolate syrup

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend at high speed for 30 seconds. Place in a tightly sealed bottle and store in the refrigerator.
2. Shake well before serving.

28. Spiced Apple Margaritas

Photo: cookieandkate.com

If you're into tequila, you've got to try Cookie And Kate's spiced apple margarita recipe. Make sure to use a reposado, or even an añejo tequila. Doing so will add subtle vanilla notes and oakiness, which complement the cider and cinnamon used in this recipe!

Ingredients

2 ounce reposado tequila

1 ½ to 2 ounces apple juice or cider, preferably organic

3/4 ounce fresh lime juice (about 1 medium lime, juiced)

1 teaspoon honey simple syrup (recipe below) or ¾ teaspoon agave nectar

Dash ground cinnamon

Optional garnish: 1 star of anise per drink

Honey simple syrup:
1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup water

Cinnamon/sugar/salt rim blend and garnish:
1 teaspoon sugar (I used coconut sugar, but cane sugar or turbinado sugar will also do)

1 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt

1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Lime wedges

Instructions

1. First, prepare the honey simple syrup by combining the water and honey in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring frequently, just until the honey is dissolved in the water. Remove pan from heat and set aside.
2. On a small plate, use a fork to blend the sugar, salt and cinnamon. Run a wedge of lime around the top of each drinking glass, then turn the glass down at a 45-degree angle and roll the top of the glass through the cinnamon, sugar and salt blend. Fill the glasses with ice and set them aside.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Feel free to make 2 to 3 drinks at once. Pour in the tequila, apple juice or cider, lime juice, honey simple syrup and cinnamon. Put on the lid and shake the cocktail for about 20 seconds. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass(es) and add a star of anise if you’d like. Cheers!

29. Apple Cider Bourbon Holiday Cocktail

Photo: acouplecooks.com

Bourbon? Apple cider? What more could you need to warm you up this winter? Check out A Couple Cooks for their delicious holiday cocktail recipe!

Ingredients

2 ounces bourbon

1 ounce apple cider

1 ounce sweet vermouth

1/2 ounce lemon juice

1 dash orange bitters

Garnish: apple slices (optional), sprig of thyme

Instructions

1. Combine the bourbon, cider, sweet vermouth and lemon juice in mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain it into cocktail glass.
2. Add a dash of orange bitters and garnish with apple slices (if desired, spritz them with a little lemon juice to prevent browning).

30. Peppermint Martini 

Photo: sidewalkshoes.com

If your holiday cocktail is rimmed with crushed candy cane, you've reached maximum festive-ness. And if that's what you're looking for, look no further. Check out Sidewalk Shoes for the full recipe!

Ingredients

1 ½ ounce peppermint vodka

1 ½ ounce vanilla vodka

1 ounce Creme de Menthe

Garnish: candy canes or peppermints for garnish and rimming the glass

Instructions

1. Fill a martini glass with ice.
2. Optional - crush a few candy canes or peppermints in a zip loc bag to use to rim the glass.
3. Add peppermint vodka, vanilla vodka and creme de menthe to a cocktail shaker.
4. Fill shaker 3/4 full of ice. Place on the cap and shake for 15-30 seconds.
5. Dump ice out of the glass and if desired, rub a little of the peppermint vodka on the rim and dip the glass in the crushed peppermint.
6. Strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with a candy cane or a piece of peppermint candy.

31. Pecan Pie Martini 

Photo: Emily Hlavac Green/Delish.com

This wildly delicious pecan pie martini recipe from Delish will replace dessert at your next holiday dinner, or at least, it should.

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

6 oz. rumchata

6 oz. creme de cocoa

3 oz. bourbon

Ice

Garnish:
3 tbsp. caramel, microwaved until pourable

1/4 c. toasted chopped pecans

Cool Whip, for garnish

3 whole pecans, for garnish

Sprinkle of cinnamon, for garnish

Instructions

1. Place caramel and toasted chopped pecans on separate small shallow plates. Dip the rim of each glass first into caramel and then into chopped pecans to coat.
2. Combine rumchata, creme de cocoa, and bourbon in a large cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until cold, 30 seconds. Pour into martini glasses and top with a dollop of whipped cream, a whole pecan, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

32. Campfire Old Fashioned

Photo: michellemcglinn.com

This sweet and smokey drink is a fun twist on a classic cocktail. Plus, who doesn’t like marshmallows, especially during the holidays? We’ll definitely be making these Campfire Old Fashioneds by Michelle McGlinn all December long.

Ingredients

Hickory woodchips and a lighter or torch

1 sugar cube

5 dashes Aztec chocolate bitters

1/8 ounce (about one barspoon) vanilla extract

2 ounces bourbon whiskey

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tablespoon simple syrup or honey

1 large marshmallow or 3 mini marshmallows

Instructions

1. On a heat-proof surface such as a baking sheet, place 2-3 woodchips and ignite until lightly burning. Place glass upside down over woodchips, trapping in the smoke and extinguishing the flames.*
2. While the glass is smoking, add a sugar cube to a mixing glass and dash bitters and vanilla extract over cube. Muddle until broken apart and partially dissolved, then add one ice cube and the bourbon. Stir until chilled, about 15 seconds.
3. Spread graham cracker crumbs onto a small plate. Garnish the glass by dipping or painting one side with simple syrup or honey.* Roll into the crumbs, creating a graham cracker rim or side detail.
4. Add one ice cube to the glass, then strain drink over ice. Garnish with marshmallow to serve.*

And that's that, folks! If you're looking for more festive inspiration, check out The Bash for fun holiday tips and ideas! 

Remember to drink responsibly, and have a safe and happy holiday season! 

About Brittany Barber

Brittany Barber, lover of books, dogs, and romance, graduated from Bishop’s University with a Communications and Theatre degree. After spending some time working abroad in the theatre world, she is now a freelance writer covering a range of lifestyle topics including event planning for The Bash, WeddingWire, 2life and Fluttr, and shopping for BuzzFeed and Narcity.