Cocktail & Other Recipes Occasion Winter

The 30 Best Holiday Cocktails

Holiday spirit activated.

Hot Caramel Buttered Rum in clear, footed mug, with cinnamon stick garnish

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

The most wonderful time of the year can also feel like the craziest time of the year, with seemingly endless reasons to celebrate. While the classics will always play well at holiday parties, the list below includes lots of recipes that will make your season feel a little more festive and special.

We’ve rounded up soul-warming Hot Toddies (and all the other hot drinks!), decadent Eggnogs, after-dinner cocktails, and punches for a crowd. You’ll also find winterized versions of warm-weather classics like the Daiquiri and Mojito, plus holiday favorites from around the world like Coquito and Glögg.

Here are the 30 best holiday cocktails.

  • Eggnog

    Eggnog

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    What would the holidays be without this quintessential creamy cocktail? Although it’s ripe for experimentation, the classic recipe calls for eggs, sugar, whole milk, heavy cream, and your choice of bourbon, brandy, or rum. A batch is guaranteed to spread joy at any holiday gathering.

    Get the recipe.

  • Hot Buttered Rum

    Hot Buttered Rum in glass mug with cinnamon stick

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    The secret to this warming drink is a batter made with vanilla ice cream. Whip it up with common baking ingredients, store in the freezer, and top with rum and boiling water whenever cravings strike for a boozy hot drink.

    Get the recipe.

  • Hot Toddy

    Hot Toddy

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    The classic Toddy dates to the 18th century, when it would often be consumed to cure a cold. While we can’t verify its medicinal properties, we can wager you’ll feel better after sipping this warming concoction of whiskey, boiling water, brown sugar, lemon, and cloves.

    Get the recipe.

  • Espresso Martini

    Espresso Martini in ornate footed cocktail glass, with three espresso beans as garnish

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    As the lore goes, a supermodel asked legendary bartender Dick Bradsell for a drink that would “wake her up, then fuck her up” in the 1980s, and this modern classic was born. Much like a cup of coffee, the combination of vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup can easily be tweaked to taste.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 5 of 30 below.
  • Coquito

    Coquito in rocks glass on tan marble countertop, with cinnamon stick garnish

    Liquor.com / Carson Downing

    Coquito is beloved in Puerto Rico and beyond for its rich coconut and holiday spice flavors. This big-batch recipe from bartender Giuseppe González combines Puerto Rican rum, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream of coconut, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

    Get the recipe.

  • Glögg

    Glogg cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This mulled wine is a staple in Scandinavian countries, and often includes nuts and dried fruit. The version below from chef Marcus Jenmark—made in a saucepan with red wine, vodka, ruby port, and plenty of spices—serves about 16.

    Get the recipe.

  • Irish Coffee

    Irish Coffee in glass mug topped with whipped cream next to mason jar of empty whipped cream

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This classic coffee cocktail and quintessential after-dinner drink includes Irish whiskey and brown sugar, topped with hot brewed coffee and freshly whipped cream. Once you’ve made made the original, try famous versions from The Dead Rabbit in New York City or Buena Vista Café in San Francisco.

    Get the recipe.

  • Cranberry-Ginger Mimosa

    Cranberry-Ginger Mimosa

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This festive cocktail tops spicy ginger beer and cranberry juice with Champagne. Feel free to swap in any sparkling wine, and don’t skip the sugared cranberry garnish.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 9 of 30 below.
  • White Russian

    White Russian cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Although this unabashedly rich Black Russian twist dates to the 1960s, it achieved notoriety as The Dude’s drink of choice in the late ’90s movie The Big Lebowski. The delicious mix of vodka, Kahlúa, and a splash of heavy cream is a decadent order that’s perfect for holiday parties.

    Get the recipe.

  • Chai Spice Mule

    Chai Spice Mule

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    A homemade chai spice syrup plays off the spicy ginger notes of a Moscow Mule. Combine with a fresh ginger shrub, vodka, and lemon juice for a delicious take on the classic. 

    Get the recipe.

  • Tom & Jerry

    Tom & Jerry cocktail in clear coffee mug with metal spoon and dusting of nutmeg on top

    Liquor.com / Carson Downing

    This rich and creamy holiday classic dates back to 1820s England, and is made with a spiced egg batter, whole milk, rum, and cognac. The batter calls for lots of whipping and folding, so save this recipe for a special occasion!

    Get the recipe.

  • Last-Minute Mulled Wine

    Last Minute Mulled Wine

    Liquor.com / TIm Nusog

    This quick recipe will be your new greatest party trick. Just combine red wine, bourbon or brandy, star anise pods, and citrus peels in a saucepan. Once the mixture is heated, divide into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 13 of 30 below.
  • Bobby Heugel’s Freezer Martini

    Bobby Heugel's frozen martini, shown in a martini glass with frozen bottle of extra cocktail in background, next to bowl of olives, cornichons and capers

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Freezer cocktails are an ace move for holiday parties since you don’t have to mix up individual drinks on the spot for guests. This recipe comes from Refuge in Houston, where legendary bartender Bobby Heugel uses a unique Tanqueray gin blend.

    Get the recipe.

  • Wassail

    Wassail cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This unique big-batch take on the classic mulled drink from bartender Chantal Tseng calls for a split base of brown ale and nutty oloroso sherry. Plenty of spices and brown sugar make it an ideal holiday drink.

    Get the recipe.

  • Golden Cadillac

    Golden Cadillac cocktail

      Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This decadent drink and 1970s classic combines herbaceous Galliano liqueur, white creme de cacao, and heavy cream. Keep the ingredients on hand for a drinkable treat.

    Get the recipe.

  • Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s Hot Toddy

    Jeffrey Morgenthaler's Hot Toddy

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Spice up your Toddy with this take from bar pro Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Pacific Standard in Portland, Oregon. He adds allspice dram and ginger syrup to the classic mixture of bourbon, boiling water, and lemon juice.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 17 of 30 below.
  • Brandy Alexander

    Creamy Brandy Alexander cocktail in a coupe glass with angular etching, and a dusting of nutmeg

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    The Brandy Alexander dates to the early 20th century and was a particularly popular order in the 1970s, but we’d argue the decadent combination of cognac, dark creme de cacao, and cream is timeless. This recipe from the late Gary “Gaz” Regan makes a perfect nightcap.

    Get the recipe.

  • Rum Flip

    Rum Flip cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    If you love Eggnog, you’ll flip for the Flip, a rich cocktail made with a whole egg. This classic version combines dark rum, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and an egg.

    Get the recipe.

  • Rumplesnuggler

    Rumplesnuggler

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Three words: boozy hot chocolate. This minty version is spiked with Baileys and Rumple Minze peppermint schnapps.

    Get the recipe.

  • Winter Daiquiri

    Winter Daiquiri cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Winterizing a summer favorite can be as simple as swapping white rum for richer dark ones. Bar pro Eden Laurin adds more depth to the classic Daiquiri by combining Banks 5 Islands and Cruzan Black Strap rums with lime juice and simple syrup.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 21 of 30 below.
  • Holiday Cheer

    Holiday Cheer cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Think of this simple holiday sparkler as an upgraded Vodka Cranberry. Muddled cranberries and vodka are topped with tonic water and sparkling cider, then garnished with a rosemary sprig.

    Get the recipe.

  • Hot Caramel Buttered Rum

    Hot Caramel Buttered Rum

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This rich combination of rum, brown sugar, honey, unsalted butter, and baking spices is just as cozy as the classic Hot Buttered Rum. The twist: an ounce of caramel-flavored vodka.

    Get the recipe.

  • Baltimore Eggnog

    Baltimore Eggnog

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Bar pro Derek Brown adapted this recipe from the 1954 issue of Gourmet magazine, combining eggs, cognac, powdered sugar, whole milk, and heavy cream. Make it for a party: It serves 25!

    Get the recipe.

  • Pear Tree Martini

    Pear Tree Martini

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This floral and fruit-forward drink is definitely a Martini in name only, and it definitely will be a hit at any holiday gathering. It includes pear vodka, St-Germain, lime juice, and Angostura bitters.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 25 of 30 below.
  • Bourbon Rosemary Punch

    Bourbon Rosemary Punch

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Serve a crowd with this large-format drink. The bittersweet and herbaceous recipe combines rosemary-infused Aperol, bourbon, honey syrup, grapefruit juice, dry sparkling wine, and soda water.

    Get the recipe.

  • Winter Mojito

    Winter Mojito

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Hear us out! Eden Laurin adds holiday flavor to the beach-bar favorite by infusing the rum with baking spices and adding a float of herbaceous Licor 43. Demerara syrup adds extra richness.

    Get the recipe.

  • Posset

    Posset in clear, footed coffee mug with spice dusting on top

    Liquor.com / Carson Downing

    It might not be as famous as Eggnog, but this beer-based egg drink is thought to be the precursor to the holiday favorite. This big-batch modern version calls for an IPA and porter base, along with heavy cream, eggs, Strega, allspice dram, falernum, and plenty of warming holiday spices.

    Get the recipe.

  • Poached Pear & Ginger Daiquiri

    Poached pear and ginger daiquiri

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    To create this festive frozen drink, bartender Naren Young starts by poaching pears in spices including cardamom, star anise, vanilla, cinnamon, and black peppercorns. The whole fruits go for a whirl in the blender with white rum, lime juice, and freshly grated ginger root.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 29 of 30 below.
  • Cousin Eddie

    Cousin Eddie cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This inventive recipe livens up traditional Eggnog with a trio of bold spirits—Armagnac, aged rum, and fernet. Garnished with cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper, it’s a spicy and herbaceous take on the classic.

    Get the recipe.

  • Winter Sour

    Winter Sour cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This low-ABV sour from bar pro H. Joseph Ehrmann includes just an ounce of Campari as the alcoholic base, along with clover honey syrup, Meyer lemon juice, and egg white. Serve a round to kick off a holiday party.

    Get the recipe.