5 Holiday Cocktails That Are Easy to Make and Wow Guests With
Want to sip on that viral TikTok snow-globe inspired drink? See the best holiday and Christmas cocktail recipes to have on deck.
The holiday season is officially here, and with the cozy season comes a lineup of gatherings with friends and family. Enter the whirlwind of sparkle, laughter, and clinking of glasses. Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering, a full-blown party, or throwing a Christmas movie night, the right holiday cocktail can transform your evening into something spectacular. This season, instead of settling for basic wine or spiked eggnog, toy with more creative cocktails, including viral recipes from TikTok.
From Snow Globes to a holiday take on a New York City classic, holiday and Christmas cocktails can be a fun way to elevate your celebrations. This year we’re shaking up the drink menu with recipes that are as creative as they are delicious. Whether you’re channeling your inner mixologist or keeping it simple with a seasonal twist, these drinks are guaranteed to add a splash of joy to your celebrations. So grab your shaker, some holiday spirit, and let’s raise a glass to the most wonderful time of the year!
Keep scrolling to see our five favorite creative holiday cocktail recipes that are easy to make and wow your guests with.
Snow Globe Cocktail
Reminiscent of the classic holiday snow globe trinket, the Snow Globe Cocktail is a whimsical way to toast the season. Featuring shimmering edible glitter, coconut cream, champagne, and a presentation that looks like it was plucked straight from a winter wonderland, this cocktail is as much a centerpiece as it is a drink.
To make it, start by combining one ounce of coconut cream, one ounce of water, one cup of cranberries, and one stalk of rosemary in a glass, then freeze until solid. Once frozen, sprinkle in a pinch of edible glitter, and pour chilled champagne or prosecco over the top. Watch as the edible glitter swirls around, creating a shimmering, snow-like effect that’s almost too pretty to drink–but impossible to resist.
Winter Margarita
A margarita is a fan favorite no matter the season, so why not give it a frosty makeover for the holidays? The Winter Margarita combines the tangy brightness of citrus with the cozy warmth of winter spices, creating a festive twist on the classic. Think fresh lime juice, a splash of orange liqueur, and a hint of cinnamon on the rim to evoke all the holiday spirit.
To create your own, mix a tablespoon of sugar and a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon for the rim. Then combine one-and-a-half ounces of tequila, half an ounce of orange liqueur, an ounce of canned coconut milk, one juiced lime, and half an ounce of gingerbread syrup. Then, add ice and shake. Strain it and pour over fresh ice in your prepared glass. Garnish it with rosemary, star anise, and a mini gingerbread cookie perched on the rim. This festive cocktail is a true holiday showstopper!
Gingerbread Cocktail
Gingerbread is a true flavor of the holiday season, so it is only right it gets its very own holiday cocktail. Sweet, spicy, and full of cozy warmth, the Gingerbread Cocktail embodies everything we love about the festive season in a single glass. With its creamy texture and nostalgic flavors, this drink is perfect for sipping by the fire or as a sweet treat to close out a holiday feast.
To create your own, rim your glass with vanilla frosting & brown sugar. Then combine one once of coffee liqueur, two ounces of gingerbread liqueur, one once of amaretto, and a dash of ground ginger and cinnamon. Then, add ice and shake. Pour the mixture into your rimmed glass, and garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a tiny gingerbread man. This indulgent cocktail is a sweet and spicy treat that tastes like holidays in a glass.
Snowflake Rim Cocktail
This Snowflake Rim Cocktail brings that magical, Christmas-like dream to life in liquid form. With its sparkling, snowy rim and refreshing flavors, this cocktail is as enchanting to look at as it is to sip. Make it by rimming your class with white sprinkles, and then set in fringe to chill. Then, combine two ounces of vanilla vodka, one ounce of Rumchata, and one ounce of cream. Then, add ice and shake. Strain the mixture into your chilled glass and serve.
Winter White Cosmopolitan
Carrie Bradshaw and the rest of the Sex and the City cast turned the cosmopolitan into a culturally symbolic cocktail, synonymous with sophistication and fun nights out. It’s only fitting that this timeless cocktail gets a glamorous holiday makeover. The White Winter Cosmopolitan is a chic twist on the classic, blending the signature tartness with frosty, festive flavors: To make it, start by setting glass in the fridge to chill.
Combine two ounces of vodka, three-quarters of an ounce of Cointreau, half an ounce of simple syrup, one juiced lime, and two ounces of white cranberry juice. Then, add ice and shake. Strain the mixture into your chilled glass and garnish with a rosemary sprig and three cranberries. Whether you’re channeling your inner Carrie or simply sipping in style, the White Winter Cosmopolitan is a glamorous way to toast to the holiday season.