8 Christmas Cocktail Recipes to Toast & Celebrate the Holiday Season

As the holidays approach and the evenings turn slower and softer, we find joy in crafting cocktails that feel as beautiful as they taste. These Christmas cocktail recipes are designed to elevate any gathering — from a festive dinner party to a cozy night for two under the tree.

Whether you’re shaking something bright and bubbly or mixing a warming whiskey drink by the fire, each recipe captures a different mood of the season: sparkling, creamy, nostalgic, or jewel-toned and vibrant.

You’ll notice a few of these cocktails feature our homemade Spiced Hibiscus Syrup, which brings a jewel-toned glow and subtle holiday spice to anything it touches. It has quickly become one of our favorite seasonal staples. We’ve included the simple recipe below so you can make a bottle to keep in your fridge all season long.

We’ve also included ratios-for-six instructions for cocktails that bath well, making it easy for you to host your holiday gatherings.

Whether you’re shaking something bright and bubbly or mixing a warming whiskey drink by the fire, each recipe captures a different mood of the holidays: sparkling, creamy, nostalgic, or vibrant and citrus-kissed.

Hosting Tip

If you’re making more than one of these cocktails at a gathering, batch anything that doesn’t include bubbles. Shake or pour to order and garnish just before serving to keep everything fresh, fast, and fun.

Spiced Hibiscus Syrup

A jewel-toned syrup infused with ginger, cinnamon, and citrus — the signature flavor behind our holiday hibiscus cocktails.

Ingredients

• 2 cups water

• 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• Peel of one orange

• 1 cup sugar (or equal to the amount of brewed tea)

Instructions

1. Add water, hibiscus flowers, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and orange peel to a medium saucepan.

2. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 3–4 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes.

4. Strain through a fine mesh sieve — you should have about 1 cup of concentrated tea.

5. Return to the saucepan and stir in sugar over low heat until fully dissolved.

6. Cool to room temperature, then transfer to a sealed jar or bottle.

7. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

• The spiced version is perfect for winter; skip the cinnamon and ginger for a lighter spring/summer variation.

• This syrup adds rich jewel-tone color to nearly any drink — mocktails included.

• Try subbing the orange peel for grapefruit for a brighter citrus profile.

Jump to a Christmas Cocktail Recipe

Spiced Hibiscus Syrup →

Blood Orange Sparkle Spritz →

Winter White Margarita →

Spiced Pomegranate Old Fashioned →

Pomegranate Bourbon Smash →

Sparkling Rosemary Vodka Spritz →

Spiced Hibiscus Paloma Sour →

Blackberry Thyme Gin Smash →

White Christmas Rum Punch →

Blood Orange Sparkle Spritz

Bright, bubbly, and endlessly cheerful — our number-one pick for holiday cocktail season.

Ingredients

• 1½ oz Aperol

• 1 oz freshly squeezed blood orange juice

• ½ oz homemade spiced hibiscus syrup

• 1–2 oz prosecco

• Optional: 1 oz sparkling water

• Garnish: blood orange slice

Instructions

1. Add Aperol, blood orange juice, and hibiscus syrup to a glass with ice.

2. Top with prosecco (1–2 oz to taste) and a splash of sparkling water if desired.

3. Stir gently and garnish with a fresh or dried blood orange wheel.

Bar Notes

• Less prosecco keeps the balance light. 1–2 oz is plenty.

• Sparkling water works beautifully for daytime sipping.

• You can swap blood orange for regular orange if needed.

• Use a small stemless wine glass for a cozy, elegant look.

• Aperol keeps it light; Campari will make it deeper and more bitter.

• Spiced hibiscus syrup is strongly recommended for winter — simple syrup works better for summer.

Batch for 6

• 9 oz Aperol

• 6 oz blood orange juice

• 3 oz spiced hibiscus syrup

• Top each glass individually with prosecco and optional sparkling water.

Winter White Margarita

Creamy, festive, and visually stunning. A perfect snowy holiday sip.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila

• 1 oz sweetened cream of coconut

• 1 oz fresh lime juice

• ½ oz Cointreau (or triple sec)

• Pinch of fine salt

• Garnish: cranberries + sugar rim

Instructions

1. Rim a coupe or rocks glass with sugar.

2. Add tequila, cream of coconut, lime juice, orange liqueur, and salt to a shaker with ice.

3. Shake vigorously until chilled and strain into your prepared glass.

4. Garnish with fresh cranberries.

Bar Notes

• Use sweetened cream of coconut, not canned coconut cream.

• Serve in a coupe for an elevated holiday moment — or over ice in a rocks glass.

• For a brighter citrus edge, add a small splash of freshly squeezed orange.

• Works beautifully as a signature holiday welcome cocktail.

Batch for 6

• 12 oz tequila

• 6 oz sweetened cream of coconut

• 6 oz lime juice

• 3 oz Cointreau

• Pinch of salt — whisk well and chill until serving.

Spiced Pomegranate Old Fashioned

Deep, aromatic whiskey warmth meets festive red sparkle. A true fireside sip.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon

• ½ oz pomegranate juice

• ¼ oz spiced simple syrup

• 2–3 dashes Angostura or aromatic bitters

• Garnish: orange peel + pomegranate seeds

Instructions

1. Add bourbon, pomegranate juice, syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until well chilled, then strain over a large clear ice cube.

3. Express an orange peel over the glass and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Bar Notes

• Rittenhouse Rye adds a spicy kick if you prefer a drier finish.

• A large cube keeps the drink cold without dilution.

• Perfect as an after-dinner nightcap around the tree.

• This cocktail transitions beautifully into New Year’s Eve.

Pomegranate Bourbon Smash

A vibrant expression of the season. Juicy fruit meets cozy bourbon warmth.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon

• ½ oz pomegranate juice

• ½ oz fresh lemon juice

• ½ oz simple syrup or spiced syrup

• Crushed ice

• Garnish: rosemary sprig + orange twist + pomegranate seeds

Instructions

1. Add bourbon, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and syrup to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake until cold and strain over crushed ice.

3. Garnish beautifully and serve immediately.

Bar Notes

• Crushed ice gives a frosty, festive finish.

• Rosemary or thyme adds a beautiful winter aroma.

• For an extra seasonal look, dust lightly with powdered sugar.

• A julep cup or small rocks glass works perfectly.

Batch for 6

• 12 oz bourbon

• 3 oz pomegranate juice

• 3 oz lemon juice

• 3 oz syrupShake each portion over crushed ice when serving.

Sparkling Rosemary Vodka Spritz

Light, refreshing, and quietly elegant. A perfect aperitif before dinner.

Ingredients

• 1½ oz vodka

• ½ oz rosemary simple syrup

• ½ oz fresh lemon juice

• 3–4 oz sparkling water

• Garnish: lemon twist, fresh rosemary sprig, and cranberries

Instructions

1. To make rosemary simple syrup, simmer ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and 3 rosemary sprigs for 5 minutes, then cool and strain; store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

2. Add vodka, rosemary syrup, and lemon juice to a glass with ice.

3. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.

4. Garnish with a lemon twist, rosemary sprig, and optional cranberries for a festive vibe.

Bar Notes

• A Collins glass keeps it light and tall; stemless wine glass for cozy vibes.

• Smack the rosemary sprig before garnishing — instant aromatherapy.

• Add a splash of prosecco for a celebratory upgrade.

• A perfect “first drink” of the night.

Batch for 6

• 9 oz vodka

• 3 oz rosemary syrup

• 3 oz lemon juice

• Top each glass with sparkling water.

Spiced Hibiscus Paloma Sour

A floral-citrus beauty that balances tart grapefruit with holiday spice.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila

• 1 oz homemade spiced hibiscus syrup

• 1 oz grapefruit juice

• ½ oz lime juice

• Crushed ice

• Garnish: grapefruit slice or cinnamon stick

Instructions

1. Add tequila, hibiscus syrup, grapefruit juice, and lime juice to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake well and strain over crushed ice.

3. Garnish with a grapefruit wheel and a cinnamon stick or star anise (or both!)

Bar Notes

• Blanco keeps it clean; reposado leans warmer and rounder.

• A sugared rim adds a playful sweet-tart contrast.

• Totally batchable for parties. Mix ahead and serve over ice.

Batch for 6

• 12 oz tequila

• 6 oz hibiscus syrup

• 6 oz grapefruit juice

• 3 oz lime juice

Blackberry Thyme Gin Smash

Winter berries, herbaceous gin, and a sparkling finish. Festive and refreshing.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin

• ¾ oz simple syrup

• ¾ oz lemon juice

• 4–5 fresh or frozen blackberries

• Optional: fresh thyme sprig

• GarnishL blackberries + a thyme sprig

Instructions

1. Muddle blackberries and syrup in a shaker.

2. Add gin, lemon juice, and ice; shake until chilled.

3. Strain over fresh ice and garnish.

Bar Notes

• Use Empress gin if you want deeper jewel-tone color and holiday drama.

• The thyme sprig adds seasonal earthiness — optional but recommended.

• A small rocks glass keeps everything beautiful and compact.

Batch for 6

• 12 oz gin

• 4½ oz simple syrup

• 4½ oz lemon juiceShake each portion individually with muddled fruit.

White Christmas Rum Punch

A cozy coconut sip that feels nostalgic, tropical, and merry all at once.

Ingredients

• 2 oz white rum

• 1 oz sweetened cream of coconut

• 1 oz pineapple juice

• ½ oz lime juice

• Garnish: fresh nutmeg + cranberries

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake vigorously until chilled and frothy.

3. Strain into a rocks or coupe glass and garnish.

Bar Notes

• A dusting of nutmeg makes this instantly feel like Christmas.

• White rum keeps it bright; coconut rum makes it sweeter and cozier.

• Serve in a coupe for elegance or tall over ice for a beach-at-Christmas vibe.

Batch for 6

• 12 oz rum

• 6 oz cream of coconut

• 6 oz pineapple juice

• 3 oz lime juice

Explore More Cocktails for the Season

These Christmas cocktail recipes are just the beginning. Sip into more handcrafted drinks from our collection:

→ 6 Jewel-Toned Hibiscus Cocktails for the Holidays

→ 6 Thanksgiving Cocktails to Sip & Celebrate

→ 5 Fresh Fall Cocktail Recipes to Welcome the Season

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