40 Best Winter Cocktails for Making Spirits Bright
Liven up a cold day with these seasonal drinks!
Winter truly earns its reputation as one of the most magical times of the year! Between festive holiday parties and cozying up by the fire, the season is full of joy. To elevate the merriment, why not sip on a spirited winter cocktail? Whip up a batch of cocktails featuring beloved holiday flavors like gingerbread, peppermint, or sugar cookie. Or, for a festive touch to your evening, make a Christmas cocktail, like the mistletoe martini or Christmas margarita. These winter cocktails are perfect for spreading cheer all season long—especially as you go to ring in the New Year.
If you're a fan of sweet hot drinks, there are plenty of options like the spiked Crock-Pot hot chocolate or the hot buttered rum—they make for deliciously cozy after-dinner drinks. But there's also a handful of wonderful brunch cocktails here that are perfect for holidays! Think: a bloody Mary made with tequila instead of vodka or eggnog cocktails. No matter which drink you choose, now is the time to make use of seasonal fruits like winter citrus, cranberries, and apples. You're guaranteed to find dozens of ways to use winter fruits in these cocktails. And if those weren't enough, you'll also find a few non-alcoholic Christmas drinks for the whole family.
Tiramisu Martini
Here's a dessert‑cocktail that brings all the luxurious flavor of tiramisu into one elegant glass. It blends rich coffee liqueur, velvety cream, and a sweet chocolate finish—perfect for sipping by the fire, toasting with friends, or adding a little luxury to your night.
Get the Tiramisu Martini recipe.
Champagne Punch
Get ready to toast to the season! Brilliantly festive with a pretty pink hue, this punch is made of bubbly white or rosé sparkling wine, fresh strawberries, cranberries, and citrus slices. It's easily made ahead and ready in just 10 minutes for your holiday parties.
Get the Champagne Punch recipe.
Eggnog
Skip the store‑bought stuff! This homemade eggnog will be your favorite sippable treat this season. It's rich with milk, cream, egg yolks, warmed cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. You can leave out the alcohol or spike it with rum (or brandy) to make it extra merry.
Get the Eggnog recipe.
Frozen Espresso Martini
Want a frosty finish this winter? Try this frozen version of the classic coffee cocktail. It's rich, invigorating, and a perfect blend of coffee‑kick with icy smooth espresso, coffee whipped cream, a splash of liqueur, and chocolate-covered espresso beans on top.
Get the Frozen Espresso Martinis recipe.
Classic Bloody Mary
Liven up your winter brunch with an iconic cocktail that's savory, bold, and perfect for chilly mornings. With tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon, and a stalk of celery, it's got festive flair and full‑flavor punch.
Get the Classic Bloody Mary recipe.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Winter is the perfect season to embrace a little nostalgia, and this classic cocktail brings it in style. The beloved pink drink mixes vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and a splash of lime for a bright, zesty sip.
Get the Cosmopolitan Cocktail recipe.
Spicy Cowgirl Martini
Spice up the season! A bold mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, chocolate cream liqueur, and espresso makes it rich and indulgent, while a swirl of cream keeps it smooth. A dash of chile syrup and cayenne bring just the right amount of heat.
Get Ree's Spicy Cowgirl Martini recipe.
Raspberry Sorbet Spritz
When it comes to holiday cocktails, anything with bubbles is an instant win! To make it even better, this vibrant pink sparkler couldn't be easier—just combine raspberry sorbet with sparkling rosé for a festive, fizzy treat.
Get the Raspberry Sorbet Spritz recipe.
Mistletoe Martini
Stand under the mistletoe—or with one of these mistletoe martinis in hand—at your next Christmas party! This cheerful cocktail mixes vodka, cranberry juice, and a splash of elderflower liqueur for a bright, floral twist. Top it off with "holly" for a garnish.
Get the Mistletoe Martini recipe.
Christmas Margarita
Bring on a white Christmas—margarita style! This frosty holiday sip combines coconut, lime juice, orange liqueur, and tequila for a tropical twist that's full of holiday cheer.
Get the Christmas Margarita recipe.
Sugar Cookie Martini
Why just eat sugar cookies when you can sip them too? This decadent martini blends vanilla vodka, Irish cream, butterscotch schnapps, and half-and-half into one creamy, dreamy drink. A sprinkle-rimmed glass adds the perfect touch of holiday magic.
Get the Sugar Cookie Martini recipe.
Wassail
Inspired by a traditional English Christmas drink, it's infused with roasted apples, citrusy notes of fresh orange and lemon, and a generous mix of warming spices. It fills your home with the comforting scent of the holidays, too.
Get the Wassail recipe.
Milk Punch
This creamy, bourbon vanilla cocktail is a New Orleans favorite for good reason! It's like eggnog, but without the eggs.
Get the Milk Punch recipe.
Pomegranate Martini
What could be more festive than this ruby red elixir? Made with pomegranate juice, vodka, and orange liqueur, it's the perfect blend of sweet and tart.
Get the Pomegranate Martini recipe.
Cranberry Margarita
Margaritas aren't just for warm weather! This cranberry-infused cocktail, complete with a snowy white salt rim, is just waiting to be sipped at your next winter gathering.
Get the Cranberry Margarita recipe.
Peppermint Martini
You only need three ingredients to make this sweet holiday cocktail. Of course, if you want it to be extra festive, you can garnish the rim with red sanding sugar and a candy cane.
Get the Peppermint Martini recipe.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
This rich chocolate drink gets a subtle kick from the cinnamon and cayenne, but if you want to take things one step further, simply add a splash of spiced rum!
Get the Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe.
Gingerbread Martini
A sweet and spiced homemade gingerbread syrup is the key to making this cocktail taste just like a gingerbread cookie! Then, the vodka and creme de cacao make it rich, boozy, and creamy.
Get the Gingerbread Martini recipe.
Hot Buttered Rum
Spiced melted butter gives this warm drink a luxuriously rich and decadent flavor. It's the perfect drink to serve in your favorite Christmas mug.
Get the Hot Buttered Rum recipe.
Bloody Maria
Whether it's New Year's Day brunch or a game day watch party, this twist on a Bloody Mary is sure to be a hit. Note: it's made with tequila instead of vodka!
Get the Bloody Maria recipe.
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