5 Holiday Cocktail Recipes That Will Be the Star of Your Party
Dazzle guests with 5 holiday cocktail recipes! Find festive drinks with cranberry, bourbon, and sparkling wine perfect for any Christmas or holiday party.
A memorable holiday party often comes down to the details, and a signature drink is one of the most effective ways to elevate your gathering. Forget the standard bottle of wine or simple rum and coke.
This is the season for festive holiday cocktail recipes that are both delicious and photo-worthy. With flavors like spiced pear, cranberry, and rosemary, these cocktails capture the essence of the holidays in a glass.
We’ve created five show-stopping recipes that are easy to follow and guaranteed to impress your guests. Whether you're hosting a cozy family get-together or a lively Christmas Eve bash, these drinks will be the star of the show. So, grab your cocktail shaker and get ready to mix, stir, and serve some holiday magic.
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This vibrant gin cocktail is a perfect start to any holiday gathering, balancing the tartness of cranberry with the bright, botanical notes of gin and a hint of citrus. Its jewel-toned color looks stunning in a chilled coupe glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Gin
- 1.5 oz Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
- Ice
Directions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice to chill it.
- Combine the gin, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and orange bitters in the shaker.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15–20 seconds until the outside is frosty.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish and serve immediately.
Garnish Tip: Skewer a few fresh cranberries on a cocktail pick or float a thin lime wheel on top for a simple, elegant finish.
Product Recommendation: A quality stainless-steel cocktail shaker is essential for achieving the perfect chill and aeration for this drink.
Warm up your holiday party with this sophisticated bourbon punch. The sweetness of pear nectar combined with the spicy notes of bourbon and ginger beer creates a cozy and inviting flavor profile that tastes like fall in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 3 oz Pear Nectar
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 4 oz Chilled Ginger Beer
- Ice
Directions:
- Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice.
- Pour the bourbon, pear nectar, and lemon juice directly into the glass.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
- Top the mixture with chilled ginger beer.
- Give it one final, gentle stir to incorporate the flavors.
Garnish Tip: Add a sprig of fresh rosemary and a thin slice of pear for an aromatic and festive touch.
Make it a batch: To serve a crowd, combine 1 bottle of bourbon (750ml), 46 oz of pear nectar, and 12 oz of lemon juice in a large punch bowl. Stir well and chill. Just before serving, add a 2-liter bottle of ginger beer and large ice cubes.
Product Recommendation: Use a large ice cube mold to create slow-melting ice that won't dilute your punch too quickly.
This elegant and festive cocktail is perfect for Christmas or New Year's Eve. The combination of sweet pomegranate juice, fragrant rosemary syrup, and crisp sparkling wine creates a drink that is both refreshing and celebratory.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Pomegranate Juice
- 0.5 oz Rosemary Simple Syrup*
- 4-5 oz Chilled Sparkling Wine (Prosecco or Cava work well)
Directions:
- To make Rosemary Simple Syrup: Combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Add 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for one minute, then remove from heat and let it steep for at least 30 minutes. Strain out the rosemary and store the syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- Pour the pomegranate juice and rosemary simple syrup into a champagne flute.
- Gently top with the chilled sparkling wine.
- Stir very lightly to combine without losing the bubbles.
Garnish Tip: Drop a few pomegranate arils and a small sprig of fresh rosemary into the glass for a beautiful, photo-worthy effect.
Product Recommendation: Keep your bubbly fresh between pours with a sparkling wine stopper, which is designed to preserve carbonation.
Inspired by the creamy sweetness of a chai latte, this vanilla vodka cocktail is a delicious and unique drink for your holiday parties. It’s a wonderful dessert cocktail or a cozy sip to enjoy by the fire.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Vanilla Vodka
- 2 oz Chilled Chai Tea (strong brew)
- 1 oz Cream or Half-and-Half
- 0.5 oz Honey or Maple Syrup
- Pinch of Cinnamon
- Ice
Directions:
- Brew a strong cup of your favorite chai tea and let it cool completely. You can do this ahead of time.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the vanilla vodka, chilled chai, cream, and honey to the shaker.
- Shake well for about 15 seconds until everything is well-chilled and combined.
- Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish Tip: Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top. For an extra touch, add a cinnamon stick.
Product Recommendation: An angled jigger makes measuring ingredients like honey and syrup precise and mess-free.
This holiday riff on a classic Old Fashioned uses maple syrup for a touch of seasonal sweetness and a hint of orange bitters for complexity. It's a strong, spirit-forward cocktail that is perfect for the whiskey lover at your holiday gathering.
Ingredients:
- 2.5 oz Rye Whiskey or Bourbon
- 0.25 oz Maple Syrup
- 3 dashes Orange Bitters
- Large Ice Cube
- Orange Peel
Directions:
- Add the maple syrup and orange bitters to a mixing glass.
- Pour in the whiskey and fill the mixing glass with ice.
- Stir with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute the drink properly.
- Place one large ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Strain the cocktail from the mixing glass over the large ice cube.
- Express an orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it in as a garnish.
Garnish Tip: A wide, bright orange peel is the classic and best garnish. For a more festive feel, you could also use a brandied cherry.
Product Recommendation: A fine-mesh strainer ensures no small ice chips make it into your perfectly smooth Old Fashioned.
Cheers to the Holidays
These holiday cocktail recipes offer a fun and delicious way to add a personal touch to your celebrations. From a bubbly sparkling wine punch to a rich bourbon drink, there's a flavor here for everyone. We hope this inspiration helps you create unforgettable moments with family and friends this season.
Happy Hosting 😊🎉
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