Festive Christmas Cocktail Recipes

Nothing says “festive season” like a good Christmas drink. Between the feasting and present wrapping, the perfect mix of flavors could have you feeling all kinds of santa-mental. 

This time of year is special. Once the tree is up and we gather with friends and family, a little Christmas drink will be just the thing to set the mood. Here’s the good news: we’ve got some tasty cocktail recipes for Christmas coming your way!

Don’t worry, moms and dads; we’ve got recipes for both non-alcoholic and Christmas alcoholic drinks here. The whole family can join in the fun too!

Cocktail Recipes for Christmas

Is it even Christmas if you haven’t enjoyed your favorite festive tipple? Celebrimo to the rescue with five yummy cocktail recipes for Christmas that are sure to add a little extra cheer!

Hot Buttered Rum

Yes, this drink is as delicious as its name sounds! And yes… we thought of Harry Potter too. We’re kicking off our list of Christmas cocktail recipes with a goodie and one that’ll warm your heart and soul. 

When deciding on which Christmas cocktail recipes to try this year, you don’t want to miss out on this decadent hot buttered rum drink. 

What’s even better? It pairs wonderfully with a festive Harry Potter marathon! 

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp soft light brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 100ml dark rum
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cinnamon sticks to serve

Method:

1. Combine the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl, then gradually pour in the rum and melted butter, and stir together. 
2. Evenly divide the mixture between two small heatproof glasses. Top each with 100ml boiling water and stir well. 
3. Serve with a cinnamon stick to garnish.

Mistletoe Mules

Without this festive version of the classic Moscow Mule cocktail Christmas won’t be nearly as merry!

Seriously, we mean it! It’s a cocktail Christmas-lovers will want to enjoy all year round after tasting it. 

Ingredients:

• Ice
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1 (12-oz.) can ginger beer
• 1/4 c. pomegranate seeds
• 2 crushed candy canes, plus two whole, for garnish
• Mint sprigs for garnish

 Method:

1. Fill two copper mugs with ice. Pour 1-ounce vodka and 1/2 ounce lime juice over ice in each mug. Pour ginger beer into each cup until mostly full.
2. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds, crushed candy cane, and garnish with a whole candy cane and a mint sprig.

Eggnog Latte

If you love eggnog and coffee, then you really can’t go wrong with this magic combo! If you don’t have a coffee machine at home, heat the milk gently in a pan while whisking until frothy. 

Ingredients:

• 35ml espresso
• 100ml milk, steamed and whisked until frothy
• 150ml eggnog or advocaat
• pinch each of nutmeg and ground cinnamon to serve

 Methods:

1. Pour the espresso into a large mug. Top with most of the frothy milk, then the eggnog or advocaat.
2. Stir, add the rest of the milk, and sprinkle with the nutmeg and cinnamon to serve.

Non-Alcoholic Christmas Cocktail Recipes

These Christmas cocktail recipes can be enjoyed by the whole family! 

Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

As promised, here are some Christmas cocktail recipes that don’t have any booze in them. This drink will be popular amongst kids and adults! We like to think of it as a luxurious hot chocolate with a festive twist. 

Ingredients:

• 150ml milk
• 50ml double cream
• ¼-½ tsp dark brown soft sugar
• ½ orange, zested
• pinch of ground ginger
• pinch of ground cinnamon
• 1 clove
• 2 drops of vanilla extract
• 50g dark chocolate, chopped

To garnish (optional)

• whipped cream
• 1 mini gingerbread or speculoos biscuit, crushed

 Method:

1. Stir the milk, cream, sugar, orange zest, and spices together in a saucepan, then bring to a simmer over a low heat. 
2. Remove from the heat and pour through a sieve into a jug, discarding the clove and orange zest. Pour the warm infused milk back into the pan and stir in the vanilla and chocolate until the chocolate has melted and is smooth.
3. Return the pan to low heat to warm through, if needed, then pour into a heatproof mug. Top with whipped cream and crushed gingerbread biscuits, if you like, then serve.

Ruby Gin Sour Mocktail

Celebrate the festive season with a cheeky ruby grapefruit gin sour mocktail. You’ve gotta love Christmas cocktail recipes that taste this good without giving you a sore head the following day! 

Ingredients:

• ½ red (or pink) grapefruit, juiced and 2 strips of zest, to serve
• 50ml non-alcoholic gin
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 2 tbsp simple sugar syrup (see tip)
• 1 egg white
• handful of ice

 Method:

1. Put all the ingredients except the ice into a cocktail shaker or a large jam jar with a good seal. Shake well to combine.
2. Add a handful of ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds or until the sides of the shaker feel cold. 
3. Strain into tumblers with more ice, or into coupe glasses, without ice. Serve with a grapefruit twist garnish.

When it comes to serving your cocktails, Celebrimo’s stemless wine glasses and mugs will do the trick! Why not whip one of these recipes up and learn how to decorate your Christmas tree like a pro? Merry Christmas!