The holiday season is the perfect time to enjoy unique cocktails that bring warmth and cheer. Here’s a collection of 15 festive drinks, each with a brief history and instructions:
1. Spiced Eggnog Martini
A holiday classic with a modern twist, this martini combines eggnog’s richness with spices for a sophisticated sip.
Eggnog has roots in medieval Britain, and adding spirits like rum became popular in colonial America.
Ingredients:
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2 oz eggnog
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1 oz vodka
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A pinch of nutmeg
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A pinch of cinnamon
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0.5 oz dark rum
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Instructions:
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Chill a martini glass.
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In a shaker with ice, combine eggnog, vodka, and rum.
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Shake well and strain into the glass.
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Garnish with a dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon.
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2. Winter Sangria
This spiced sangria captures the essence of holiday warmth, with the festive red wine base infused with seasonal fruits and spices.
Sangria’s origins trace back to Spain, but this winter version adds a holiday twist to the traditional summer drink.
Ingredients:
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1 bottle red wine
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1/4 cup brandy
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1 sliced apple
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1 sliced orange
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2 cinnamon sticks
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1 cup ginger ale
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Instructions:
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Combine wine, brandy, fruit, and cinnamon in a pitcher.
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Refrigerate for at least 2 hours for flavors to meld.
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Add ginger ale just before serving over ice.
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3. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cocktail
A cozy blend of rich hot chocolate with the cool freshness of peppermint, perfect for holiday nights.
While hot chocolate dates back to the Mayans, this cocktail version with peppermint is a modern holiday treat.
Ingredients:
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1 cup hot chocolate
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1 oz peppermint schnapps
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Whipped cream
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Crushed candy cane
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Instructions:
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Prepare hot chocolate.
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Add peppermint schnapps.
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Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed candy cane.
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4. Gingerbread Old Fashioned
The beloved gingerbread flavor is transformed into a classic cocktail, evoking the warmth of holiday baking.
The Old Fashioned’s roots are in the early 19th century, with gingerbread syrup adding a seasonal twist.
Ingredients:
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2 oz bourbon
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0.5 oz gingerbread syrup
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2 dashes bitters
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Orange peel
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Instructions:
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Muddle the orange peel with gingerbread syrup in a glass.
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Add bourbon and bitters, fill with ice, and stir.
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Garnish with an orange twist.
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5. Cranberry Mule
A festive version of the Moscow Mule, featuring the tart and sweet taste of cranberries for a holiday punch.
Inspired by the Moscow Mule, this drink uses cranberries, a fruit deeply associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Ingredients:
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2 oz vodka
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4 oz ginger beer
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1 oz cranberry juice
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0.5 oz lime juice
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Fresh cranberries
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Instructions:
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Fill a copper mug with ice.
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Pour in vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
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Top with ginger beer.
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Stir gently and garnish with cranberries.
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6. Apple Cider Bellini
This cocktail is light and bubbly, capturing the essence of autumn with apple cider and a hint of spice.
Bellinis are typically peach-based, but this version uses apple cider, a nod to fall and winter celebrations.
Ingredients:
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Prosecco
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1 oz apple cider
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A dash of cinnamon
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Instructions:
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Pour apple cider into a champagne flute, fill with prosecco, and sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top.
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7. Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
Elegant and effervescent, this drink sparkles with the ruby red beauty of pomegranate, perfect for toasting the season.
Pomegranates have been used in cuisine and drinks for centuries, with this cocktail offering a luxurious twist on champagne.
Ingredients:
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Champagne
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1 oz pomegranate juice
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Pomegranate seeds for garnish
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Instructions:
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Pour pomegranate juice into a champagne flute, top with champagne, and garnish with seeds.
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8. Maple Bourbon Smash
This cocktail balances the sweetness of maple syrup with bourbon’s depth, offering a refreshing, seasonal drink.
The smash cocktail style is from the 19th century, with maple syrup giving it a distinctly Canadian-American holiday flavor.
Ingredients:
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2 oz bourbon
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1 oz maple syrup
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1 oz lemon juice
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4-6 mint leaves
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Instructions:
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Muddle mint and lemon juice in a shaker.
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Add bourbon and maple syrup with ice, shake well, strain over ice in a glass, garnish with a mint sprig.
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9. Caramel Apple Martini
Like a dessert in liquid form, this martini combines the flavors of caramel and apple, reminiscent of holiday candies.
Martini’s versatility has led to numerous modern variations, with this one inspired by the popular fall treat, the caramel apple.
Ingredients:
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2 oz vodka
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1 oz apple liqueur
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0.5 oz butterscotch schnapps
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Apple slice for garnish
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Instructions:
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Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker, strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with an apple slice.
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10. Mulled Wine
This timeless holiday beverage fills the room with aromatic spices, warming you from the inside out.
Mulled wine has been enjoyed since ancient Rome, with the spiced version becoming a staple at European Christmas markets.
Ingredients:
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1 bottle red wine
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1/4 cup brandy
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1 orange (peeled)
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8 cloves
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2 star anise
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2 cinnamon sticks
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Instructions:
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Combine all ingredients in a pot.
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Heat gently until warm (do not boil).
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Serve in mugs with a cinnamon stick.
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11. Chestnut Sour
Offering a unique chestnut flavor, this sour cocktail is a nod to holiday feasting with its rich, nutty undertones.
The sour style dates back to the 19th century, with chestnut liqueur adding a seasonal, gourmet touch.
Ingredients:
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2 oz chestnut liqueur
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1 oz whiskey
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0.75 oz lemon juice
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1 egg white
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0.5 oz simple syrup
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Instructions:
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Dry shake all ingredients without ice, then shake with ice.
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Strain into a glass. No garnish needed.
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12. Spiced Pear Margarita
A holiday spin on the classic margarita, this version features pear’s sweet, subtle flavor with a hint of spice.
Margaritas have been around since the 1930s, with pear adding a seasonal flair to this Mexican favorite.
Ingredients:
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2 oz tequila
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2 oz pear nectar
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1 oz lime juice
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0.5 oz agave syrup
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Cinnamon
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Instructions:
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Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a glass with a salted rim, sprinkle with cinnamon.
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13. Snowball
Sweet and creamy, this British classic evokes images of fresh snow, perfect for a winter celebration.
The Snowball cocktail is a British invention from the mid-20th century, featuring Advocaat, a Dutch liqueur.
Ingredients:
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2 oz Advocaat
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Lemonade to top
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0.5 oz lime juice
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Instructions:
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Fill a glass with ice, pour in Advocaat and lime juice, top with lemonade.
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Stir gently.
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14. Irish Coffee
Combining the warmth of coffee with the spirit of whiskey, this drink is topped with a cloud of cream for indulgence.
Created in 1943 at Foynes’ airport in Ireland to warm up passengers, it’s now a holiday staple.
Ingredients:
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1 oz Irish whiskey
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6 oz hot coffee
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1 tsp sugar
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Heavy cream
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Instructions:
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Pour hot coffee into a mug, add sugar, stir to dissolve.
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Add whiskey.
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Pour cream over the back of a spoon to float on top.
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15. Rum and Raisin Cocktail
For those who love the rum and raisin ice cream, this cocktail captures its essence, offering a dessert-like experience.
Rum-soaked raisins have been used in cooking for centuries, and this cocktail is a modern, boozy interpretation.
Ingredients:
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2 oz dark rum
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1 oz raisin puree (blend soaked raisins)
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0.5 oz brown sugar syrup
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0.5 oz lemon juice
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Instructions:
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Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled glass, serve with a raisin or lemon twist.
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These cocktails can bring a festive touch to your holiday celebrations. Enjoy responsibly and have a wonderful season!
