Festive Holiday Drinks

From spritzers to cider, we have our favorite holiday-inspired drinks to get your party buzzing or keep you warm on a chilly night.

Holiday Cocktails: Tropical Champagne Punch

Photographer Jennifer Davick

Tropical Champagne Punch

Forget about the chilly weather outside. This punch will make you feel like you are in the tropics with a blend of pineapple, mango, guava, and apple juices. A final touch of sparkling wine makes it crisp and refreshing and perfect for a party or morning brunch.

Holiday Cocktails: Coconut Eggnog

Photographer Jennifer Davick

Coconut Eggnog

It wouldn’t be the holidays without eggnog, but we’ve added our own tropical touch: coconut. This homemade version is rich and creamy and can also be turned into a delicious frozen treat if you have leftovers. Simply pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and chill according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Holiday Cocktails: Mulled Cider and Wine

Photographer Jennifer Davick

Mulled Cider and Wine

This cider is for adults only, but feel free to omit the wine to make it kid-friendly. Pineapple juice adds smooth sweetness; peeled ginger gives unique spice.

Holiday Cocktails: Pomegranate Passion Float

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Pomegranate Passion Float

Pomegranate juice adds sweet tang to this sophisticated Champagne cocktail. Serve at your New Year’s Eve toast or for an upscale happy hour at home with canapés and appetizers.

Holiday Cocktails: Happy Elf

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Happy Elf

The colors of this drink are fun and festive, but it’s the flavor that will have you asking for a refill. Melon liqueur is mixed with citrus vodka and a touch of cranberry juice for a surprisingly subtle and refreshing green cocktail. Serve in a martini glass and garnish with maraschino cherries to present a lovely combination of red and green.

Holiday Cocktails: Euphoric Eggnog

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Euphoric Eggnog

This eggnog uses ice cream as the secret ingredient to ensure that it is thick and creamy. Our recipe doesn’t skimp on the bourbon and brandy, so be prepared for a strong nightcap.

Holiday Cocktails: Cupola House Wassail

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Cupola House Wassail

A wassail is a hot, spiced punch often associated with Yuletide in Germanic countries. The Cupola House is a historic home in Edenton Bay, North Carolina, that serves this soothing wassail every year during the holidays.

Holiday Cocktails: Winter Spritzer

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Winter Spritzer

Our spritzer gets a festive touch with flavors of apple and hazelnut. Marinating apples in brandy and hazelnut liquor creates an apple-infused alcohol base and also makes strong garnishes out of the soaked apple wedges.

Holiday Cocktails: Candy Cane Martini

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Candy Cane Martini

Your guests not only will love the beautiful presentation of this Christmas cocktail, but also will love the sweet flavors. Garnish the rim of each glass with crushed peppermints and leave one peppermint.

Holiday Cocktails: Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate

A staff favorite, this warming drink mixes coffee and melted chocolate with crème de cacao, coffee liqueur, and brandy for an after-dinner drink with a little pick-me-up.

Holiday Cocktails: Spiced Apple Brandywine

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Spiced Apple Brandy Wine

Ignore the title—this drink is non-alcoholic. Spiced apple cider and red grape juice make it sweet, but a secret ingredient (balsamic vinegar!) gives it a hint of tang.

Holiday Cocktails: New Years Eve Sparkler

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

New Years Eve Sparkler

This recipe is great for serving a large crowd. The pomegranate juice concentrate is sweet but slightly sour, which complements the brandy. You can substitute fresh pomegranate juice for the concentrate if you desire. Mix everything in a large punch bowl and let your guests help themselves.

Holiday Cocktails: Feliz Navidad

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Feliz Navidad

The vibrant color from the blue Curaçao and the flavors of tequila and lime juice will make you think you are on the beach in Mexico each time you take a sip of this cocktail. It’s not only great for the holidays—serve this sweet concoction year-round at parties and happy hours.

Holiday Cocktails: Holiday Mojito

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Holiday Mojito

We gave the classic mojito a holiday twist by adding cranberries and orange-flavored rum. With sparkling sugar on the rim and muddled mint and berries floating throughout, this drink is as pretty as a present.

Holiday Cocktails: Spicy Pear-tini

Photographer Howard L. Puckett

Spicy Pear-tini

We love the idea of dipping the rim of the glass in a cinnamon-and-sugar mixture to give this drink the effect of sand. The combination of pear vodka, pear brandy, spiced rum, and pear and apple juices not only creates a delicious fruity drink, but also makes a beautiful amber color that reminds us of a sunset on the beach.

Sparkling Sea Breeze

Photographer: Becky Luigar-Stayner

Sparkling Sea Breeze

For a nonalcoholic version of this drink, substitute a lemon-lime carbonated soda or club soda for the vodka and wine.

Hot Mojito Tea

Photo: James Carrier

Hot Mojito Tea

We've turned the temperature of this traditionally cold drink on its ear for the holidays. To warm glasses, fill with hot water, then drain. Garnish each glass with a mint sprig and a lime slice.

Cran-Raspberry Spritzer

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Cran-Raspberry Spritzer

This tasty, sparkling cocktail is the perfect cocktail for your next holiday get-together.

Hot Cider Nog

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Hot Cider Nog

Combine two of the season's most festive drinks–eggnog and apple cider–with this creamy treat!

 

Pomegranate Prosecco

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Pomegranate Prosecco

Pomegranate seeds add an extra festive layer to this fizzy drink.

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