39 Christmas Cocktails to Get into the Holiday Spirit
Sleigh bells ring, are you drinking?
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The holidays are just around the corner–and while we love a Christmas pudding, roast, or pie just as much as the next tree-trimming, stocking-stuffing Christmas fanatic, the thing we secretly look forward to is all the delicious, boozy drinks. From cinnamon-spiked Puerto Rican coquito to citrus-y rum punch for a crowd, there are countless ways to inject a little festive cheer into your favorite tipples.
This festive lineup makes excellent use of seasonal flavors and ingredients like pomegranate, citrus, and cinnamon, as well as seasonal classics like eggnog and punch. Want to shake things up? We've also thrown in a few wild-cards–like Aperol Spritz Granita, Peppermint Martinis, and even a Margarita Jello Shot recipe. So whether you're looking forward to a quiet night in with a loved one or an all-out holiday bash, there's something on here for everyone.
Peppermint Martinis
Sweet, creamy and cooling from white chocolate liqueur and peppermint schnapps, these martinis get a double dose of mint from the crushed candy cane rims.
Get the Peppermint Martinis recipe.
Grinch-Green Punch
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch — but we sure do love your punch. Electric green and tangy with lime, the kid-friendly version has no alcohol. Grown-ups can spike their glasses with vodka or tequila.
Get the Grinch-Green Punch recipe.
Winter Punch
"Yo ho-ho-ho! (and a bottle of rum)," is what Santa will be yelling after a few glasses of this delicious punch. Spiced rum gives this big-batch drink those cozy holiday vibes while pineapple and fresh mandarin juice add mouthwatering tang.
Get the Winter Punch recipe.
Cassis Manhattan
A little black currant liqueur gives the classic Manhattan a crimson hue and forest vibes, which feel just right for any holiday activity.
Get the Cassis Manhattan recipe.
Corpse Reviver No. 2
Think of this stiff cocktail as a dry martini with a tart, citrusy edge. It gets its name from a category of cocktails intended to be a pick-me-up after a night of over-imbibing (perhaps from all your holiday parties?).
Get the Corpse Reviver No. 2 recipe.
Pom-Lime French 75
Pomegranate and lime add red and green flair to this gin-and-bubbly drink.
Get the Pom-Lime French 75 recipe.
Gran Classico Spritz
With hints of spice and vanilla, Gran Classico–another popular Italian aperatif–adds a touch of warmth to this prosecco-based spritz.
Get the Gran Classico recipe.
Cranberry 75 Punch
Cranberries and clementine slices are suspended in a frozen ice ring, which keeps this fizzy, fruity punch cold all night long.
Get the Cranberry 75 Punch recipe.
Coquito
Virtually every Puerto Rican family has their own version of coquito – a lightly spiced, eggnog-like drink made with three different kinds of milk (evaporated, condensed, and coconut). Whip up an extra large batch so you can give bottles of it away as gifts!
Get the Coquito recipe.
Spiked Hot Chocolate
Warm, sweet, and boozy, this extra-chocolatey treat makes a delightful nightcap–heck, we'd even have it with a Christmas Day brunch.
Get the Spiked Hot Chocolate recipe.
RELATED: 8 Best Hot Chocolate Mixes for the Perfect Cozy Cup
Blood Orange Spritz
This delightful aperitif is the love child of an Aperol spritz and a mimosa.
Get the Blood Orange Spritz recipe.
Cosmopolitan
Add a twist of lime to this tangy, vermillion-colored cocktail to really amp up the Christmas spirit.
Get the Cosmopolitan recipe.
RELATED: How to Make a Festive Pomegranate Cosmo for Your Christmas Party
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 Cherry Bomb Fizz recipe.
Old-Fashioned Eggnog
Yes, you can absolutely make perfect eggnog from scratch – and we've got the perfect, failproof recipe. You'll never reach for the storebought stuff again.
Get the Old-Fashioned Eggnog recipe.
Aperol Spritz Granita
Weirdly, this cocktail-cum-frozen dessert fits in just as well at your winter fete as it does at a summer barbecue or pool party. Cara cara oranges are super sweet with a balanced tang, so definitely use them if you can find them.
Get the Aperol Spritz Granita recipe.
Dirty Martini with Stuffed Olives
There's nothing particularly Christmas-y about these: we just really love an ice-cold, briny martini to help cut through all of that rich holiday food. Make sure to get really good blue cheese-stuffed olives for the garnish!
Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail
A sprig of rosemary plus ice cubes frozen with pomegranate arils gives this tall cooler loads of festive flair.
Shirley Temple Drink
Psst...not all cocktails need alcohol! This sweet and fruity classic is every bit as fun as the boozy sips.
Get the Shirley Temple Drink recipe.
RELATED: 25 Best Mocktail Recipes for a Deliciously Booze-Free Gathering
Pear Punch
Put the pear rum pum pum pum in the holidays with this zingy rum punch. Plus, it makes enough for a crowd.
Get the Pear Punch recipe.
Cappelletti Spritz
Cappelletti is a red wine-based aperitivo that is often compared to Aperol or Campari. Bold, refreshing, and just a bit sweet, it makes a great pre-Christmas dinner cocktail.
Get the Cappelletti Spritz recipe.
Susan (she/her) is the Senior Food Editor at Good Housekeeping, where she leads wine, spirits, and drinks coverage and helps shape food content across platforms. In the Kitchen & Cooking Lab, she develops and rigorously tests recipes, drawing on experience that spans Food & Wine, Food Network, three meal kit companies, a Brooklyn wine shop, and Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. A graduate of Brown University, she has also collaborated on over a dozen cookbooks and cocktail books.
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