20 Festive Christmas Drink Recipes for a Merry Celebration

The holidays are right around the corner, and it's time to start planning those festive gatherings. One thing I always look forward to during the Christmas season is indulging in some delicious, festive drinks.

Whether you're hosting a big Christmas party with friends and family or simply looking to enjoy a cozy night in, having a variety of tasty beverages can really add to the holiday spirit.

That's why I've put together this list of 20 festive Christmas drink recipes for a merry celebration. From warm, comforting classics to fun, spirited cocktails, these recipes are sure to make your holidays even more special.

1. Spiced Eggnog

Eggnog is a classic Christmas drink that never goes out of style.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups milk
• 5 whole cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 12 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 1/2 cups light rum
• 4 cups light cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.
2. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs.
3. Pour mixture into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes or until thick. Do not allow to boil. Strain to remove cloves, let cool for about an hour.
4. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

2. Hot Buttered Rum

Warm up your holiday evenings with this rich and buttery drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
• Rum
• Boiling water

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Blend in ice cream. Transfer to a container and freeze.
2. To prepare each serving, spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture into a mug, add 1 shot of rum, and fill with boiling water. Stir, and sprinkle with nutmeg.

3. Mulled Wine

This traditional drink will fill your home with the aroma of the holidays.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1 orange, sliced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 5 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 star anise
• 1/4 cup brandy

Instructions:

1. Combine wine, orange slices, honey, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise in a large pot.
2. Heat over medium heat until just starting to simmer, then reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 30 minutes.
3. Stir in brandy. Strain and serve in warm mugs.

4. Peppermint Mocha

Combine the flavors of peppermint and chocolate for a holiday twist on your coffee.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup peppermint syrup
• 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
• Whipped cream
• Crushed candy canes

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until warm.
2. In a large bowl, combine the milk, coffee, peppermint syrup, and chocolate syrup. Mix well.
3. Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

5. Cranberry Margarita

Add a festive twist to the classic margarita with cranberry juice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup triple sec
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• Ice
• Cranberries and lime wedges for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine cranberry juice, tequila, triple sec, and lime juice in a shaker. Shake well.
2. Fill glasses with ice and pour the mixture into the glasses.
3. Garnish with cranberries and lime wedges.

6. Gingerbread Latte

Enjoy the taste of gingerbread with your coffee.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup strong coffee
• 2 tablespoons gingerbread syrup
• Whipped cream and ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until warm.
2. In a mug, combine the coffee and gingerbread syrup. Mix well.
3. Pour the warm milk into the mug, top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

7. Christmas Punch

A refreshing, fruity punch that's perfect for any holiday party.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups ginger ale
• Ice
• Orange slices and cranberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice.
2. Add the ginger ale and ice, stirring gently.
3. Garnish with orange slices and cranberries before serving.

8. Cinnamon Apple Cider

A warm and comforting drink with a hint of cinnamon.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups apple cider
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine apple cider, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warm.
3. Pour into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

9. White Christmas Sangria

A festive sangria with a winter twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle white wine
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 orange, sliced
• Cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine white wine, brandy, sugar, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
2. Add apple slices, orange slices, and cranberries.
3. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Serve in glasses garnished with rosemary sprigs.

10. Hot Chocolate with Baileys

Take your hot chocolate to the next level with a splash of Baileys.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream
• Whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk and heavy cream over medium heat.
2. Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted.
3. Remove from heat and stir in Baileys.
4. Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

11. Maple Bourbon Smash

A rich and flavorful cocktail perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Club soda
• Ice
• Lemon slices and rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Shake well.
2. Fill a glass with ice, pour in the mixture, and top with club soda.
3. Garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of rosemary.

12. Candy Cane Martini

A delightful, festive cocktail with the flavor of peppermint.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce peppermint schnapps
• 1 ounce cranberry juice
• Crushed candy canes and whole candy canes for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim the martini glass with crushed candy canes.
2. In a shaker, combine vodka, peppermint schnapps, and cranberry juice. Shake well.
3. Pour into the prepared martini glass and garnish with a whole candy cane.

13. Chai Tea Latte

A warm and spicy drink that's perfect for cold winter days.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 2 chai tea bags
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Ground cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil, add chai tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes.
2. Remove tea bags and stir in milk, honey, and ground cinnamon. Heat until warm.
3. Pour into mugs and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

14. Spiked Apple Cider

A spirited version of classic apple cider.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups apple cider
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine apple cider, bourbon, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warm.
2. Pour into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

15. Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

A sparkling and festive drink perfect for toasting.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 bottle champagne
• Pomegranate seeds and rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. In each champagne flute, pour a small amount of pomegranate juice.
2. Top with champagne.
3. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a sprig of rosemary.

16. Pumpkin Spice Latte

A beloved fall favorite that transitions perfectly into the holiday season.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup strong coffee
• Whipped cream and ground nutmeg for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Heat over medium heat until warm.
2. Pour coffee into a mug, then add the pumpkin mixture.
3. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground nutmeg.

17. Snowflake Martini

A cool and refreshing drink with a hint of coconut.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 ounce coconut rum
• 1/2 ounce blue curaçao
• 1/2 ounce cream of coconut
• Ice
• Coconut flakes for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim the martini glass with coconut flakes.
2. In a shaker, combine vodka, coconut rum, blue curaçao, cream of coconut, and ice. Shake well.
3. Pour into the prepared martini glass.

18. Hot Toddy

A classic warm drink that's perfect for chilly nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 shot whiskey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Lemon slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, bring water to a boil.
2. Pour hot water into a mug, add honey, whiskey, and lemon juice. Stir well.
3. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cinnamon stick.

19. S'mores Hot Chocolate

Combine the flavors of s'mores with rich hot chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Marshmallows
• Whipped cream and chocolate syrup for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat. Add chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until fully melted and combined.
2. Pour into mugs, top with marshmallows, whipped cream, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

20. Sparkling Cranberry Punch

A light and bubbly punch with a festive cranberry flavor.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 bottle sparkling water
• Ice
• Cranberries and orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice.
2. Add sparkling water and ice, stirring gently.
3. Garnish with cranberries and orange slices.

Conclusion

Sharing these festive drinks with loved ones is the perfect way to celebrate the Christmas season. Each recipe offers a unique taste of holiday cheer, making your gatherings memorable and delightful. Cheers to creating new traditions and savoring every moment this holiday season brings. Happy holidays!