60 Winter Cocktails That Will Get You Feeling Festive

Baby, it’s cold outside! What’s better than to experience it with a bourbon-filled, warm embrace in the form of this twist on a winter classic: a hot toddy? Infused with the flavors of tart hibiscus (in the red zinger tea), maple syrup, bitter Campari, and warm spices, this deep red drink is ready to elevate your winter evenings in one quick stir. It’s not only perfect for a cozy evening on the couch or a quiet night by the fire, but also plays well with the seasonality of ingredients such as cranberry and citrus.

Get the Hot Claus recipe.

Not only does this adorable cocktail look the part, but if you close your eyes, it also tastes just like gingerbread cookies. The homemade gingerbread simple syrup truly is the star of this martini.

Get the Gingerbread Martini recipe.

Move over, hot toddy—there's a new hot drink in town, and the name is fireside negroni. We dressed up the tried and true negroni with Earl Grey tea and a touch of maple syrup. The tea adds notes of bergamot and citrus, and the maple syrup gives a touch of rich sweetness that welcomes another sip, and another sip, and another, until it’s time to put the kettle back on for another cocktail.

Get the Fireside Negroni recipe.

It’s time to make milk and cookies for the adults. That, of course, means that the cookie itself is a shot glass, and the milk is spiked with Baileys. To make these really simple we used a store-bought cookie dough, but if you want to make your own chocolate chip cookie dough, go for it. We also think these would be just as good with a peanut butter cookie, but you do you.

Get the Milk & Cookies Shots recipe.

Here at Delish, we love a seasonal cocktail. Taking a creative cue from the carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” we created a Partridge in a Pear Tree cocktail to make this holiday season. With warming bourbon and whisky, a bit of bubbles, a punch of pear brandy, and spiced syrup, this drink is one you'll want multiples of.

Get the Partridge In A Pear Tree recipe.

This Christmas cocktail is just as refreshing and bright as the traditional version, but makes a few festive swaps that make it perfect for the holidays. Instead of lime juice, we opt for the classic winter combination of cranberry and orange. We also give the mule a holiday twist by using rosemary instead of mint. There’s also a sprig used as a garnish, so you get a whiff of the festive holiday fragrance with every sip.

Get the Yule Mule recipe.

This Christmas version of a rum and coke is inspired by Rudolph the reindeer’s bright red nose. To get the vibrant hue, we use tart cherry juice. The juice, aside from being a beloved ingredient in a sleepy girl mocktail, also imparts a mild tartness that balances the sweetness of the soda.

Get the Rum Rum Rudolph recipe.

You'll be hearing jingle bells in no time with this sweet-tart big-batch cocktail. We love a punch at the holidays as it cuts down on bartending time, and they're maybe a little too easy to mix up!

Get the Jingle Juice recipe.

In this fall rendition of everyone's favorite summer spritz, we included a woodsy rosemary sprig and fig syrup to welcome fall’s rich earthy flavors and make the easiest large format cocktail that will impress everyone at your holiday table. Thanksgiving’s aperitivo hour just got a delicious upgrade.

Get the Figgy Spritz recipe.

A hot toddy is one of our favorite drinks to sip on when you're feeling under the weather or as a nightcap. Best part is? You almost definitely have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now. Change things up and make an apple cider version complete with caramel!

Get the Hot Toddy recipe.

The holidays usually usher in seasonal cocktails with cozy spices to stay warm in the winter, but we think bright, refreshing beverages should be enjoyed all year long. If you love sipping on margaritas and palomas but want a more festive recipe to enjoy during the holiday season, meet the cranberry paloma.

Get the Cranberry Paloma recipe.

This Christmas punch forgoes all the added sugar and instead derives its natural sweetness from apple cider. Add some spice from ginger beer and tartness from unsweetened cranberry juice, and you have a sophisticated, festive punch for your next holiday party.

Get the Christmas Punch recipe.

It seems around only 25% of Americans are able to get a white Christmas, which, in our opinion, is totally unfair. But don't worry—we’ve got you covered with this white Christmas mojito. With this cocktail in hand, you won't even need to pay attention to the forecast. To turn this classic summer drink into a holiday star, we added coconut cream to create that frosty, snow-topped vibe, and pomegranate seeds as a bright and festive garnish. It has all the refreshing flavors of the classic mojito, with a sweet holiday twist.

Get the White Christmas Mojito recipe.

The creamy texture, sweetness, and gentle warming-spice notes of homemade eggnog make it a versatile base for many cocktail flavor pairings. Use it to replace the cream or milk in any of your favorite dairy-based cocktails—like matcha or chai martinis—to add a taste of the holidays. Whatever you choose, once you add this to your holiday cocktail rotation, it’s not coming out.

Get the Eggnog Espresso Martini recipe.

This wintery version of a whiskey sour features punchy ginger flavor and tangy cranberry juice. Though it requires minimal ingredients, it’s full of strong, bright flavors that perfectly complement rich holiday hors d'oeuvres like baked brie and bacon-wrapped dates.

Get the Ginger-Cranberry Whiskey Sour recipe.

While a glass of Lambrusco is always good served on its own, it’s also a fantastic starting point for a cocktail. The smoky mezcal, bright orange citrus, and spice from the ginger beer here tie together beautifully, giving you a zingy, sweet-ish, refreshing, and original cocktail.

Get the Lambrusco Smash recipe.

An affogato is already an indulgent treat—so why not add some fresh and festive eggnog for the holidays? For a boozy version, you can pour a shot of bourbon or spiced rum in with the eggnog and espresso before garnishing, but it will be delicious either way. Separating the ice cream from the liquid keeps the ice cream’s frozen texture even under the piping hot, freshly brewed espresso. It also gives you a nice, flat surface to decorate to your heart’s content with themed sprinkles, crushed cookies, or your favorite candies.

Get the 50/50 Eggnog Affogato recipe.

Winter is the perfect time for steaming mugs of spiced, warm apple cider and marshmallow-laden hot chocolate, but just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean a chilled, blended drink doesn’t hit the spot too. These vibrantly blue not-so-naughty Jack Frosties are a refreshing departure from the hearty flavors of the holiday season. We went for a non-alcoholic version here for kids, non-drinkers, or people just wanting a break for the night.

Get the Not-So-Naughty Jack Frosties recipe.

The margarita is a seasonal drink…right? We think so! Especially this cherry-lime margarita, which is right on theme for a tropical Christmas. We used both cherry concentrate and the syrup from a maraschino cherry jar to achieve the perfect balance of tart and sweet. If you’re looking for an elevated twist on a classic margarita, look no further. Bring this cocktail to your next Christmas party, holiday movie night, or festive celebration!

Get the Cherry-Lime Margarita recipe.

Looking for a quick way to level up your holiday punch bowl or cocktails without the hassle? These stunning ice cubes are an incredibly easy solution—and they’ll make you look super-classy too! These ice cubes use pomegranate juice instead of water, adding both flavor and a vibrant red hue to what would otherwise be plain ice.

Get the (Make Ahead) Holiday Punch Bowl Ice Cubes recipe.