28 Of Our Favourite Festive Holiday Cocktails
Ponche Navideño (Hibiscus Christmas Punch)
Known as sorrel in Caribbean cuisines, and zobo drink in Nigeria, hibiscus tea often makes its way into Mexican ponche around the holidays, served as a heated drink with plenty of fresh and dried fruits (and sometimes a cheeky pour of rum). Get Chantal Braganza's ponche navideño (hibiscus Christmas punch) recipe.
Red Grapefruit Punch Bowl
This boozy, festive red grapefruit punch bowl is a showstopping—yet hands-off!—way to serve your party guests (and repurpose that trifle bowl!) Get our red grapefruit punch bowl recipe.
Cranberry Gin Smash
Adding a spoonful of jam is an easy way to make a flavour base for a cocktail, and cranberry sauce ticks that same box. If your sauce is super chunky, you can chop it up—by hand or with a food processor—before using. Get Eshun Mott's cranberry gin smash recipe.
Sparkling Pomegranate Punch Bowl
What could be more festive than a big punch bowl full of a fizzy red drink? Get this sparkling pomegranate punch bowl recipe.
Nigella Lawson's Poinsettia Cocktail
This classic celebratory big-batch cocktail recipe is from Nigella Lawson’s cookbook Nigella Christmas. You can lean in to the wintry vibe by garnishing your drinks with sprigs of rosemary and fresh cranberries. Get Nigella Lawson's poinsettia cocktail recipe.
Ginger Moscow Mule
Fill 2 copper mugs with ice. Shake 1⁄4 cup vodka with 2 tbsp lime juice and 2 dashes cinnamon or Angostura bitters in a shaker filled with ice. Divide between mugs. Top with ginger beer and stir with a cinnamon stick. Garnish with a lime wedge. Serves 2.
Campfire Coffee Cocktail
Warm up with a this delicious twist on the Hot Toddy, topped with vanilla bourbon whipped cream. Get our campfire coffee cocktail recipe.
Eggnog White Russian
Fill 2 lowball glasses with ice. Pour 2 tbsp each Kahlua and vodka into each glass. Slowly pour 1⁄4 cup eggnog into each glass. Serves 2.
Boozy Hot Chocolate
Simmer 1 cup 2% milk and 1⁄4 cup 35% cream in a small saucepan set over medium-high, then reduce heat to medium-low. Whisk in 1 1⁄2 oz dark and 1⁄2 oz white chocolates until melted, 1 to 2 min. Whisk in 1⁄2 cup crème de cacao and 1⁄8 tsp peppermint extract, if desired. Divide between 2 mugs. Top with a marshmallow and chocolate cookie. Brûlée the marshmallow, if desired. Serves 2.
Pomegranate Punch
Frozen pomegranate seeds add chill and beauty to this tequila-based concoction that's a perfect reason to pull out the punch bowl. Get our pomegranate punch recipe.
French 75
Shake 2 tbsp gin with 2 tbsp each lemon juice in a shaker filled with ice. Divide between 2 coupe glasses. Top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist. Serves 2.
Kitchen tip: Making simple syrup at home is super easy. You can even make simple syrup in the microwave.
Cranberry Aperol Spritz
A festive twist on a classic spritz, this version adds cranberry juice and uses frozen cranberries to both chill and garnish the drink and sprigs of rosemary to add wintry enchantment. Get our cranberry Aperol spritz recipe.
Star Anise & Cinnamon Pitcher Cocktail
A spiced simple syrup adds warmth and flavour to this big-batch cocktail, with orange liqueur and clementine adding lightness. Get this star anise & cinnamon pitcher cocktail recipe.
Old Fashioned
This oh-so-classic cocktail couldn't be easier to make. Get our old fashioned cocktail recipe.
Brandied Cherry Cocktail
Although we used brandy for this fall-inspired cocktail, swapping in calvados would dial up the autumn vibes even further. Get our brandied cherry cocktail recipe.
Newfoundland and Labrador Christmas Slush
In other parts of the world, Christmas punch recipes abound, but in Newfoundland and Labrador, it’s all about the Christmas Slush—a shockingly easy batch cocktail recipe traditionally made in a salt beef bucket. Get our Newfoundland and Labrador Chrismas slush recipe.
Grapefruit Sake Cocktail
This fresh citrus cocktail can easily be turned into a mocktail, and pairs great with light snacks. Get our grapefruit sake cocktail recipe.
Limoncello Spritz
This light lemon cocktail pairs well with parmesan and Parma ham kettle chips, and can also be turned into a mocktail. Get our limoncello spritz recipe.
Spiced Rum And Ginger Beer Cocktail
This spiced rum and ginger beer cocktail works well served with rice paper chips, and can also be turned into a mocktail. Get our spiced rum and ginger beer cocktail recipe.
Cranberry-Orange Vodka Soda
A fun citrus-infused drink, this vodka soda goes well with our chocolate-covered pretzels and can also be turned into a mocktail. Get our cranberry orange vodka soda recipe.
Mulled White Wine
This warming, festive drink is not only pretty, with its star anise garnish, but will leave your house fragrant, too. Get our mulled white wine recipe.
Forager Whisky And Tonic
A wintry take on a classic cocktail. Get our forager whisky and tonic recipe.
Homemade Whisky Irish Cream Liqueur
This dreamy after-dinner tipple tastes amazingly like Baileys Irish Cream (imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, right?). Sipped straight up or over ice, it’ll warm you through and through. Get our homemade whisky irish cream liqueur recipe.
Cranberry-Ginger Cocktail
Indulge in this refreshing holiday sip created for Chatelaine by Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat of Bite Me More. Get their cranberry-ginger cocktail recipe.
Hot Toddy
This gently spiced winter warmer is perfect for sipping by the fireside. Get our hot toddy recipe.
Mulled Wine
Warm up the holidays with a hot cup of wine. Warm spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise add festive flavour, with sliced clementines bringing a pop of colour and citrusy kick. Get our festive mulled wine recipe.
Gin Chaud Cocktail
This warming cocktail is an unexpected twist on the classic French mulled wine, traditionally known as vin chaud. You can use any citrus gin you like and scale it up—punch-style—or down to suit a gathering of any size. Get our gin chaud cocktail recipe.
Warm Chai Toddy
It’s hard to make a classic hot toddy even cozier, but we were up for the challenge. Chai tea adds delicious spice to this updated classic. Get our warm chai toddy recipe
Get our classic holiday menus.
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