14 Popular Holiday Alcoholic Drinks
The holiday season is right around the corner, and what better way to brighten spirits than with spirits? The holidays are one of the best seasons to experiment with those iconic holiday flavors we know and love.
Eggnog, peppermint, and other holiday flavors are great for holiday cocktails and other alcoholic drinks. They are perfect for ringing in the new year and can be paired with a variety of delicious holiday-themed foods and treats. Looking for the perfect drink to make your spirits merry and bright (besides a Cranberry Mimosa, of course)?
From champagne cocktails to hot ciders, we’ve got all the best holiday flavors to really spice up any holiday event you may have. These are our 16 top picks for the popular holiday alcoholic drinks you need to try this holiday season.
Desserts Turned Drinks
Holiday desserts are one of the best parts of the holiday season. When Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s roll around, it’s time to bake and cozy up with some tasty treats.
Ever wanted to drink your dessert? Now you can! The best part is that there are lots of creative ways you sip on a seasonal pie or treat. Whether you go all out or keep it subtly sweet, here are some of our favorite desserts turned into drinks.
1. Salted Caramel Martini
To ease into the holiday season, this Salted Caramel Martini is sweet and cozy without being too much. It’s simple, creamy, and the best of both worlds—the fall and winter worlds, that is.
2. Gingerbread Cocktail
For an adult drink on the more subtle side, we recommend a Gingerbread Cocktail. This drink captures the spices of the gingerbread cookie that we know and love all wrapped up into one glass.
3. Pumpkin Pie Cocktail
Why go through the hassle of eating dessert when you can drink it? We are only half-joking, of course. This cocktail tastes almost identical to that pumpkin pie you look forward to tucking into each holiday season.
4. Chocolate Martini
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then this is the cocktail for you. It’s decadent, rich, and above all, chocolatey. This martini is the perfect classic dessert cocktail for any season, but especially the holiday season.
To make it even more festive, we recommend adding some peppermint schnapps for that extra bit of holiday cheer. It’s like hot chocolate, but even better.
5. Sugar Cookie Cocktail
One of the best ways to enjoy the holiday season is by baking and decorating cookies. This cocktail captures that classic cookie taste that only comes around during the holidays. It’s fun and festive and definitely a sweet treat.
With so many fun festive flavors to choose from, it can be hard to narrow it down. Whether you decide to eat or drink your desserts this holiday season, these cocktails are some great ways to get the ball rolling at the most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas Cocktails
When exploring holiday flavors for mixed drinks, it would be wrong to ignore the classics. Flavors like eggnog, fresh cranberries, pomegranate juice, and peppermint don’t seem to be going out of style anytime soon, and we are thankful for it. They make great flavor profiles for lattes, but more importantly: cocktails.
Here are some Christmas classics turned cocktails.
6. North Pole Nog
There is no better way to ring in the holiday season than with some old-fashioned eggnog… and by old-fashioned, we mean spiked. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg for an even more decadent drink.
7. Hot Buttered Rum
This classic winter drink is yummy and, frankly, irresistible. It’s been a fan favorite since Colonial times. If you’re making this classic for a holiday party, we recommend making a big batch so you and your guests can stay cozy and warm all winter long.
8. Mulled Wine
This classic winter wine is best served hot or warm. It’s simple, delicious, and will warm your spirits right up. All it takes is holiday spices like star anise and cinnamon sticks, and red wine. This drink is perfect for holiday parties and events.
9. Candy Cane Cocktail
This Candy Cane cocktail brings in two wintry flavors that we can’t get enough of: cranberry and mint. It’s sweet and festive with a peppermint twist, perfect for any holiday celebration.
10. Christmas Apple Cider
For a cocktail on the crisp, refreshing side, we recommend classic Christmas Apple Cider. It's comforting and cozy and a perfect wintry drink to enjoy all year round. Garnish this cider with a fresh apple slice and be merry.
Thankfully, Christmas cocktail flavors don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Whether you put these flavors into coffee or your adult beverage, the classic flavors are classic for a reason. Celebrate the holiday season with one of these classic Christmas cocktails.
Get Creative With Christmas Flavors
Whether you’re looking to work with bourbon or Angostura bitters, there’s a holiday cocktail out there for you.
If your home bar has these staples, you can easily make a Christmas drink. Here are our top picks for easy Christmas cocktails you can make at home.
11. Christmas Poinsettia Punch
The classic winter flower turned into a tasty, refreshing cocktail, just waiting to sit in your punch bowl. Tart cranberry juice, orange vodka, Champagne, and club soda make this Christmas punch a great choice for holiday gatherings.
12. Orange Russian
You may be familiar with a White Russian, which is made with vodka, but have you ever heard of the Orange Russian? The biggest difference is we swap out the vodka for gin!
Gin Hot Toddy
All you have to do for this Hot Toddy is combine all the ingredients and then garnish and serve. It’s classic, hot, and delicious.
13. Grinch Drink
Bright, fun, and vibrant green packed with flavor and alcohol is the festive Grinch Drink. It’s made with Rum, schnapps, orange juice, and Blue Curacao, so pull out your cocktail shaker.
14. Coconut Rum Eggnog
Looking for a great dairy-free option this holiday season? This Coconut Rum Eggnog is creamy, boozy, and completely dairy-free. It’s everything you love about eggnog without all the lactose.
Drink and Be Merry!
When creating Christmas and holiday-themed cocktails, the possibilities are endless. You can easily create delicious and festive mixed drinks just from things in your cupboard and familiar flavors. Just crack open your cupboard and see what you can do.
Whether you decide to go all out for the holiday season or enjoy time to yourself in front of a warm fire, the best way to celebrate the winter months is with a classic Christmas cocktail.
Nothing seems to raise holiday spirits better than spirits. They warm us inside and out and help us cherish those holiday moments and memories. And if you don’t feel like getting your shake on and mixing up a cocktail, a can of Ohza will do just as nicely—if not better.
From our homes to yours, happy holidays from all of us here at Ohza!
Sources:
HOMEMADE DAIRY FREE COCONUT RUM EGGNOG | Justine Celina
Basil Liqueur Recipe: How to Make It | Taste of Home
Christmas Poinsettia Punch Recipe | All Recipes
7 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have | Tasting Table
Christmas Apple Cider Recipe : Cocktails With Class
Candy Cane Cocktail | Martha Stewart
Best Mulled Wine Recipe : How To Make Mulled Wine | Delish
Classic Hot Buttered Rum Cocktail Recipe | The Spruce Eats
5 Holiday Dessert-Themed Cocktails : Paste
Pumpkin Pie Cocktail Recipe | All Recipes
Gingerbread Cocktail Recipe | Giada De Laurentiis | Food Network
