18 Festive Santa-Approved Christmas Cocktails

The Christmas season is prime for spirits. Not only the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, but the more popular and jolly spirits: the ones you add to your cocktails. A festive and merry cocktail is a great way to infuse a little extra cheer into the holidays. Get your cocktail shakers jingling, your spirits mixing, and dash through the snow with a Christmas cocktail even Santa can't deny belongs on the nice list. 

Peppermint Twist Martini

While you're trimming the tree, or at least contemplating your theme for the year, start (or end) your afternoon with an elegant and classic Christmas-themed martini. 

Ingredients

• Lemon wedge and sugar for rim
• 1½ ounces vodka
• ¾ ounce peppermint schnapps
• ½ ounce vanilla liqueur
• Ice
• Peppermint candy for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lemon wedge.
3. With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
4. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and vanilla liqueur.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into the prepared glass.
7. Garnish with peppermint candy.

Jack Frost's Martini

Don't tell Jack Frost to get lost... invite him in. More importantly, whip up a round of these icy blue treats. Fun to look at while the snow falls? Oh yeah. 

Ingredients

• Lime wedge and sugar for rim
• 1½ ounces white rum
• 1 ounce blue curaçao
• ½ ounce pineapple juice
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lime wedge.
3. With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
4. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white rum, blue curaçao, lime juice, and pineapple juice.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into the prepared glass.

Pink Poinsettia Fizz

Take your Cosmo straight to Christmastown! A touch of rosemary and frosted cranberries is all it takes to go from classsic to jubilant. This is a cozy riff on the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail, but with bubbly.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces citron vodka
• ¾ ounce cranberry juice
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Ice
• Prosecco to top off
• Skewered cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, citron vodka, cranberry juice, and lemon juice.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Top off with prosecco.
6. Garnish with skewered cranberries and a rosemary sprig.

Christmas Collins

Red, white, and sparkling, just like the Christmas decorations. Bold, tart, and juicy pomegranate transforms the classic collins into a holiday favorite as if by magic.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces London dry gin
• ¾ ounce pomegranate juice
• ¾ ounce lime juice
• ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup
• Ice
• Club soda to top off
• Pomegranate seeds, rosemary sprig, and lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a highball glass, add ice, gin, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and rosemary simple syrup.
2. Stir to mix.
3. Top off with club soda.
4. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, rosemary sprig, and lime wedge.

Christmas Morning Bloody Marys

There's no better time to punch up a traditional Bloody Mary than on Christmas morning. Whether you enjoy it with breakfast or use the garnish as a snack while you wait, these will be a crowd-pleaser. You can go even further by adding other vegetables or even candied bacon.

Ingredients

• Lemon wedge and rim salt for rim
• 6 ounces Bloody Mary mix
• 1 ounce peppar vodka
• 1 ounce lemon vodka
• Ice
• Pickle, ham, grape tomato, and celery for garnish

Instructions

1. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
2. With the salt on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in it to coat.
3. In a cocktail shaker, add Bloody Mary mix, peppar vodka, and lemon vodka.
4. Shake to chill.
5. Strain into the prepared glass.
6. Garnish with celery and skewered pickle, ham, and grape tomato.

Rosy Cheeks

Whether you enjoy these bubbles in the morning or at night, they're sure to add a little pink to your cheeks. You have our permission to tell people it's from all that shoveling you did. 

Ingredients

• 1 ounce gin
• ½ ounce raspberry liqueur
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Prosecco to top off
• Thyme sprig and raspberry for garnish

Instructions

1. In a champagne flute, add gin, raspberry liqueur, and lemon juice.
2. Top off with prosecco.
3. Garnish with a thyme sprig and a raspberry.

Jolly Green Jingle

This Midori cocktail looks best in green cups, but don't worry if that's not around. A green sugar or sprinkle rim will do the trick, too. Take it a step further with edible green glitter. What's Christmas without glitter, after all? 

Ingredients

• Lemon wedge and green sugar for rim
• 1¾ ounces Midori
• 1½ ounces pineapple juice
• Ice
• Rosemary sprig, pomegranate seeds, and lime wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
2. With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
3. In a cocktail shaker, add Midori and pineapple juice.
4. Shake to chill.
5. Strain into the prepared glass.
6. Garnish with a rosemary sprig, pomegranate seeds, and a lime wheel.

Midnight Express

Whether you're expected to attend midnight mass or need an afternoon pick-me-up, this espresso libation will get you going. Perfect for that lull in the afternoon between the first and second round of snacks. 

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces bourbon
• 1 ounce coffee liqueur
• ¾ ounce chilled espresso or coffee
• ½ ounce crème de cacao
• Ice
• Three whole coffee beans for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, coffee liqueur, espresso, and crème de cacao.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish with three whole coffee beans.

Winter's Tonic

The classic flavors of a gin and tonic get a seasonal upgrade; it's hard not to feel merry with this drink in hand. The rosemary simple syrup is the perfect way to add a touch of winter without the chill. Of course, you can take it even further using mugolio syrup instead.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• ¼ ounce rosemary simple syrup
• Ice
• Tonic to top off
• Rosemary sprig and orange wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, orange liqueur, and rosemary simple syrup.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Without straining, pour into a rocks glass.
4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and an orange wedge.

Vixen's Martini

You know Dasher, and Dancer, but do you really know Vixen? Not if you haven't given her martini a try. Break out of the regular Christmas colors and enjoy this purple-hued martini.

Ingredients

• 1¾ ounces Empress 1908 gin
• ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ ounce simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Ice
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
3. Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
4. Add ice to the shaker.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into the chilled glass.
7. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

String Lights Old-Fashioned

What is it about Christmas lights that are so romantic? Maybe it's this cocktail in my hand, but I can't get enough of them. The garnish of cocktail cherries on a skewer resembles the iconic look of Christmas lights in this old-fashioned.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces bourbon
• ¾ ounce maraschino liqueur
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• 2 dashes walnut bitters
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Ice and king cube
• Three cocktail cherries skewered for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, bourbon, maraschino liqueur, and bitters.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice or a king cube.
4. Garnish with the skewered cocktail cherries.

Grandma's Christmas Tree

After you've finished hanging the ornaments on the Christmas tree, sometimes you see Grandma go back to move them around. Why? Good question. But this martini will keep you busy while you watch her redecorate and have the last word.

Ingredients

• Lime wedge and sugar for rim
• 1 ounce gin
• ¾ ounce green chartreuse
• ¾ ounce maraschino liqueur
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice
• Lime wheel, cherry, and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
3. With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
4. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into the prepared glass.
7. Garnish with a lime wheel, cherry, and mint sprig.

Amaretto's Kiss

A sweet spin on the amaretto sour, with some raspberry flavors to make it perfect for Christmas. It's like roasting chestnuts over an open fire, only they're almonds. And instead of roasting, you poured. Honestly, this is better anyway. 

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces almond liqueur
• ¾ ounce raspberry liqueur
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce bourbon
• 1 egg white
• Ice
• Raspberries for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add almond liqueur, raspberry liqueur, lemon juice, bourbon, and egg white.
3. Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix the ingredients and create a froth.
4. Add ice to the shaker.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into the chilled glass.
7. Garnish with raspberries.

An Introvert's Christmas Martini

Sometimes, you're not looking to start conversations. Sometimes, you just want to sit quietly in a corner and joyfully watch the room. At the very least, you can claim this made you sleepy, then grab a cab and head home to some peace and quiet. 

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces gin
• ½ ounce cranberry vodka
• ½ ounce dry vermouth
• Ice
• Cranberries for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, cranberry vodka, and dry vermouth.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish with cranberries.

Rudolph's Nose

No reindeer were harmed in the making of this cocktail — the cranberries are just a reminder of his shiny red nose. 

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces lemon vodka
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• ½ ounce almond liqueur
• 3 dashes cranberry bitters
• Ice
• Whole cranberries
• Club soda to top off
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. In a highball glass, add whole cranberries then ice.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, lemon vodka, orange liqueur, almond liqueur, and cranberry bitters.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into the prepared highball glass.
5. Top off with club soda.
6. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

North Pole Borough

This bourbon libation is a Manhattan riff fitting for the North Pole. Warming from the inside out with a whisper of cranberries dancing as though they were sugarplums with the bourbon. Positively dreamy. 

Ingredients

• 2 ounces whiskey
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• ¼ ounce simple syrup
• 4 dashes cranberry bitters
• Ice
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, whiskey, sweet vermouth, simple syrup, and cranberry bitters.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish with an orange peel.

Rosemary Gimlet

A Christmas cocktail for the relatives who aren't interested in trying or learning new things. This drink could at least be a small step forward. You know exactly which uncle you're making this for. 

Ingredients

• 2½ ounces gin or vodka
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup
• ¼ ounce maraschino liqueur
• Ice
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, lime juice, rosemary simple syrup, and maraschino liqueur.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Gingerbread Man Martini

Whether you're elbow-deep in a gingerbread house contest or you've run out of gingerbread cookies and can't get enough of this Christmas flavor, this martini has you covered.

Ingredients

• Molasses and crushed gingerbread cookies for rim
• 1 ounce vanilla vodka
• ¾ ounce Irish cream
• ½ ounce cinnamon schnapps
• ½ ounce coffee liqueur
• ¼ ounce ginger liqueur
• Ice
• Ground nutmeg for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with molasses.
3. With the crushed cookies on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the crumbs to coat.
4. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, Irish cream, cinnamon schnapps, coffee liqueur, and ginger liqueur.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into the prepared glass.
7. Garnish with ground nutmeg.

Yule Be Jolly With Our Heavenly Christmas Cocktails

As the Christmas season approaches, don't find yourself caught off guard without a recipe. And, if you're serving a crowd, opt for a Christmas punch like a boozy Grinch punch. Whether you want to go the traditional route or shake up something new, you can't go amiss with any Christmas cocktail recipe. Now, if you're looking for a holiday beverage to warm your soul, try some hot Christmas drinks.