24 Easy Christmas Cocktails | Joyful Healthy Eats

It’s Christmas happy hour time! And I have the one and only list you’ll need for Easy Christmas Cocktail Recipes. The cocktails in this list are so simple to make, for a crowd and there’s something for everyone!

pinterest image for 24 Easy Christmas Cocktail Recipes

The Best Christmas Cocktails

It’s safe to say that a Christmas party isn’t complete without a solid holiday cocktail (or mocktail). The best Christmas cocktails are festive, have seasonally appropriate ingredients, and should be easy to make! Who wants to spend all of their time making cocktails for everyone when there’s a party to join?!

These Easy Christmas Cocktails are quick, simple, and fun. I’ve got everything from a classic and calming Maple Old Fashioned to a bubbly and bright Cranberry Mimosa. Some of these recipes you can even make ahead of time!

So, whether you’re winding down and fixing yourself a Christmas cocktail while you get the wrapping done or you’re whipping up a batch for holiday happy hour, don’t pass on this list! It’s the ultimate resource for easy holiday drinks.

What Makes The Perfect Holiday Cocktail

I’m looking for a few key things when I’m picking out my Christmas cocktail recipes:

  • It has to have festive and/or seasonal ingredients. I’m not really interested in a tropical smoothie drink at Christmas time. I want things like deep berries, smooth and sweet (like maple), herbs, etc.
  • I want it to be simple to make. I love spending time in the kitchen and at the bar tweaking recipes until their perfect, but not all of the time! I want my Christmas cocktails to be easy to make so that I can spend time with my family and friends.
  • The ingredients need to be easy to find. I don’t have time to be driving all over the place looking for peculiar liquors. These recipes have simple, affordable, and easily-accessible ingredients.

Tips for Preparing Cocktails in Advance

The real joy about some of these cocktails (no pun intended!) is that they can be made ahead of time. Here are some tips to keep in mind when making drinks in advance.

  • Don’t add the bubbly! If you are making a bubbly drink ahead of time, mix the non-carbonated ingredients first and then add the bubbles right before serving.
  • Don’t add ice…yet. Save the ice for when you’re ready to serve so that it doesn’t dilute your drink.
  • Invest in a pretty pitcher. What better time to treat yourself to a festive cocktail pitcher that will wow your guests and keep your pre-made cocktail fresh and delicious?
  • Label everything. Your fridge is bound to be filled with all sorts of sauces, syrups, kid-friendly drinks, etc. this holiday season. Always be sure to label any pre-made alcoholic drinks so you can keep track of it and be sure you’re serving the right thing.

24 Easy Christmas Cocktail Recipes

Below you’ll find my best Christmas cocktails! As promised, there’s something for everyone.

photo of holiday cranberry sangria with rosemary in a glass

Easy Holiday Cranberry Sangria

I can’t get over the deep maroon hue of this Cranberry Sangria! Not only is it gorgeous, but it’s delicious! It has fresh citrus, brandy, cranberry, and hints of cinnamon. It’s a festive sangria that can be made ahead of time and is perfect for the holidays!

overhead photo of spiked cranberry mulled apple cider on a tray

Festive Spiked Cranberry Mulled Apple Cider

This Hot Spiked Cranberry Mulled Cider recipe is the perfect holiday drink for a crowd. Plus, it’s made in the Crockpot so it’s super simple! It has apple cider, cranberry juice, cinnamon, clove, star anise, and orange slices, and then it’s spiked with spiced rum. Yum!

overhead photo of holiday pomegranate gin cocktail

Festive Holiday Pomegranate Gin Cocktail

This Holiday Pomegranate Gin Cocktail looks and tastes like Christmas! A refreshing and easy gin cocktail filled with orange, pomegranate, honey, and fresh thyme. It’s a great cocktail to serve at your next Christmas party.

glass filled with espresso martini

The Best Smooth Espresso Martini

This Chilled Espresso Martini Recipe is made with espresso, coffee liquor, vodka, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. It’s the perfect Christmas dessert cocktail!

Two pineapple ginger beer mocktails on a cutting board with a third mocktail in the background

Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail

This Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail is a great option for when you want a non-alcoholic drink. It’s refreshing and fruity from the pineapple, but also has a warm ginger flavor. Add a dash of cinnamon for an extra holiday kick!

three martini glasses with a pale yellow cocktail

Lemon Drop Martini

This Lemon Drop Martini has fresh lemon juice, smooth vodka, Cointreau, and a lemony sugared rim. It’s tart, a little sweet, and a great citrus holiday cocktail option.

an easy French martini with raspberry garnish

French Martini

An Easy French Martini is the recipe to keep on hand when you need a break from the berries and cinnamon. It’s a smooth and easy cocktail that is perfect for New Year’s Eve!

This Crock Pot Apple Cider is the perfect drink to have in your hand this holiday season. It's easy, delicious, comforting, and makes your house smell amazing! | joyfulhealthyeats.com

Crockpot Hot Apple Cider

This Crockpot Hot Apple Cider recipe is the perfect cozy drink to have in your hand this holiday season. Plus, it’s so easy to make. The slow cooker does all the work! It’s a great non-alcoholic option or you can add some bourbon to it!

Easy Blood Orange Margaritas with ice and a blood orange slice wedged onto the side of the glass | joyfulhealthyeats.com

Blood Orange Margarita

This Blood Orange Margarita has that deep red hue that just screams Christmas! Using blood oranges to flavor this holiday cocktail adds a new sweet and tart flavor to a traditional margarita. It’s beautiful and delicious!

A fun drink for the fall, Apple Cider Moscow Mule, made with hard Apple Cider, Citron Vodka, Ginger Beer, lime juice, and a hint of cinnamon! Easy to make and sure to be a hit! | joyfulhealthyeats.com

Apple Cider Moscow Mule

These Apple Cider Moscow Mules have a little cinnamon and apple flavor making it a refreshing and festive cocktail. The fresh apple cider adds a warm tart flavor that you’re going to love!

Holiday Spiced Mulled Wine, an easy party cocktail that will please a crowd. This Mulled Wine is perfect for any Holiday Party and sure to warm you up from head to toe! | joyfulhealthyeats.com

Holiday Spiced Mulled Wine

Wow your guests with this Holiday Spiced Mulled Wine recipe. It’s perfect for serving on those cold winter nights. Your friends and family are going to love the deep and developed flavor. It’s fruity, comforting, and just so delicious.

POMEGRANATE MARGARITAS an easy cocktail recipe you can rock all year round! Made with fresh ingredients. Cheers to the BEST Margarita Recipe ever! | joyfulhealthyeats.com

Pomegranate Margarita

This Pomegranate Margarita is an easy cocktail recipe made with fresh ingredients. Plus, it’s so pretty! It has a beautiful red hue making it a festive and fun holiday margarita.

Easy 2 ingredient Apple Cider Mimosas - you'll love this fall twist on a classic mimosa. These Apple Cider Mimosas are the perfect bubbly cocktail to start off your holidays!

Apple Cider Mimosas

You only need two ingredients to make these Apple Cider Mimosas. It’s a great cocktail to have on hand for Christmas brunch or a last-minute get-together with the girls!

Image of Glasses of Holiday Spiked Eggnog

Holiday Spiked Eggnog

This dairy-free Holiday Spiked Eggnog is made with amaretto and white rum. It’s creamy and delicious. I love this healthy take on a holiday classic!

Holiday Cranberry Mojito Recipe made with fresh mint, cranberry and lime juice, agave nectar and rum. An easy party cocktail all made in one pitcher! It's sure to be a hit at your next holiday party!

Fresh Cranberry Mojito

Fresh Cranberry Mojitos are so easy to make in a pitcher! It’s a great party cocktail recipe for a holiday dinner or a simple cozy night in! Your friends are going to love trying this revitalized summer cocktail that’s now a new winter favorite!

4 Ingredient Sparkling Pomegranate Mimosas are a fun cocktail to start your weekend with! Perfect for the holidays, great for brunch or a girls weekend! | joyfulhealthyeats.com

Sparkling Pomegranate Mimosas

These Sparkling Pomegranate Mimosas are perfect for Christmas morning brunch. They are tart, bubbly, and slightly sweet. Don’t forget the rosemary garnish!

copper cup filled with cranberry gin moscow mule

5 Minute Festive Cranberry Gin Moscow Mule

This refreshing Cranberry Gin Moscow Mule has contrasting flavors like warm ginger and tart cranberry. It’s fun, festive, and easy to make for your next holiday happy hour.

overhead photo of lime mint kombucha cocktail recipe

Easy Low Calorie Lime Mint Kombucha Cocktail

Try something different with my Mint Kombucha Cocktail. It’s a healthy choice that’s low in calories and made with vodka, fresh orange juice, kombucha, mint, and white wine. Swap the vodka and white wine with some seltzer and it’s a festive mocktail recipe!

closeup of harvest apple bourbon cocktail

Harvest Apple Bourbon Cocktail

My Harvest Apple Bourbon Cocktail has cinnamon-infused Bourbon mixed with apple juice and topo chico. It’s light, warming, and so easy to make!

easy white christmas margarita pitcher recipe

Easy White Christmas Margarita Pitcher Recipe

Who says you can’t have margaritas at Christmas time? It’s the best of both worlds! This beautiful creamy coconut margarita with lime juice, tequila, coconut water and cranberries is easy to make for a crowd.

hot apple cider with star anise on top

Spiked Hot Apple Cider Cocktail

Spiked Hot Apple Cider is perfect for both Christmas and Thanksgiving! It’s made with all of the warming spices like cinnamon sticks, star anise, clove, allspice, fresh oranges, and a spiced rum to warm you right up! Perfect as a post-sledding treat!

the ultimate holiday sangria recipe in a glass with garnishes

The Ultimate Holiday Sangria Pitcher

The Ultimate Holiday Sangria is filled with citrus, pomegranate, pear and cinnamon for one irresistible cocktail! It’s a simple recipe to make for your Christmas party. Everyone is going to love it!

Two glasses of maple old fashioned cocktails on top of a white cutting board

Easy Maple Old Fashioned

This simple recipe adds a sweet maple twist to a classic bourbon mixed drink. It’s one of my favorites on a chilly December evening. Sit back and sip on one of these classic cocktails while you admire the Christmas tree!

two side by side glasses filled with easy cranberry mimosa recipe with garnish

Easy Festive Cranberry Mimosa

Festive Cranberry Mimosas make the perfect holiday cocktail. This easy mimosa recipe uses tart cranberry juice, sparkling champagne, and a sugar lime-rimmed glass for the ultimate sip. The rosemary garnish really tops it all off!

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