10 Easy Holiday Cocktails That’ll Make You the Party Legend

If your holiday vibe is equal parts cozy and festive with a dash of “wow, that’s good,” you’re in the right place. These 10 easy holiday cocktails are simple enough for a Tuesday night but fancy enough to impress your most particular friend. We’re talking bold flavors, sparkling sips, creamy classics, and a few unexpected twists you’ll want to keep making long after the last ornament is packed away.

Grab your shaker, a few pretty glasses, and let’s mix some magic. Ready?

1. Cranberry-Orange Sparkler That Tastes Like Holiday Lights

This bright, bubbly cocktail is your new go-to for toasts. It’s tart, juicy, and looks like twinkling lights in a glass. Perfect for kicking off a party or pairing with cheese boards and happy chatter.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz chilled cranberry juice (100% juice)
• 1 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
• 4 oz chilled Prosecco or Champagne
• 1/4 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp simple syrup (optional, to taste)
• Ice
• Garnish: orange twist and a few fresh cranberries

Instructions:

1. Fill a wine glass or flute with ice for 30 seconds to chill, then discard the ice.
2. In a shaker with ice, combine cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake 8–10 seconds.
3. Strain into the chilled glass and top with Prosecco.
4. Gently stir once. Garnish with an orange twist and cranberries.

Serve this with salty snacks like rosemary almonds or brie crostini. Want it lighter? Swap half the Prosecco for soda water. Make it zero-proof by using non-alcoholic sparkling wine and orange syrup instead of orange liqueur.

2. Maple Old Fashioned With Cozy Fireplace Energy

Classic, smooth, and slightly sweet—this is the Old Fashioned that puts on a scarf and reads poetry by candlelight. Maple brings warmth, while orange bitters keep it festive. It’s the slow sipper for long conversations.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon or rye
• 1/4 oz pure maple syrup
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• 1 dash aromatic bitters
• Large ice cube
• Garnish: expressed orange peel and optional cinnamon stick

Instructions:

1. Add maple syrup and bitters to a rocks glass. Add the bourbon and a large ice cube.
2. Stir for 20–30 seconds until chilled and slightly diluted.
3. Express the orange peel over the glass, rub around the rim, and drop it in. Add a cinnamon stick if you like.

Try a smoky twist with a splash (1/4 oz) of peated Scotch. For a crowd, premix the bourbon, maple, and bitters in a bottle, then just pour over ice to serve. It’s dangerously convenient—trust me.

3. Peppermint White Russian That Doubles As Dessert

Chocolate, coffee, cream, and a cool mint finish—this is holiday dessert in a rocks glass. It’s creamy without being heavy and takes basically one minute to make. Perfect when you “need a little something sweet.”

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)
• 1/2 oz crème de menthe (white/clear)
• 2 oz half-and-half (or heavy cream for extra decadence)
• Ice
• Garnish: crushed candy cane rim and chocolate shavings

Instructions:

1. Rim a rocks glass with simple syrup and dip in crushed candy cane. Fill with ice.
2. Add vodka, coffee liqueur, and crème de menthe. Stir briefly.
3. Float the half-and-half on top, then gently stir to marble.

Swap crème de menthe for peppermint schnapps if that’s what’s on hand. Want a mocha vibe? Add 1/2 oz chocolate liqueur. For a lighter version, use milk and skip the rim—still delicious.

4. Pomegranate Rosemary Gin Fizz That Looks Like a Wreath

Herbal, tart, and chic, this cocktail is the moment your bar cart becomes Instagrammable. The rosemary simple syrup is the secret—it smells like a winter walk. It’s fabulous with appetizers, especially anything salty or creamy.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz rosemary simple syrup (see note)
• 2 oz club soda
• Ice
• Garnish: rosemary sprig and pomegranate arils

Rosemary simple syrup: Simmer 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water with 2 rosemary sprigs for 5 minutes. Cool, strain, and refrigerate.

Instructions:

1. Add gin, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and rosemary syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake 12–15 seconds.
2. Strain into an ice-filled highball or stemmed glass.
3. Top with club soda and gently stir. Garnish with rosemary and arils.

Swap gin for vodka if that’s your lane. Want it extra festive? Use sparkling water flavored with lime. For a zero-proof option, skip the gin and add more soda—you still get the full holiday vibe.

5. Gingerbread Espresso Martini That Wakes Up The Party

It’s the classic espresso martini but with gingerbread spice and molasses richness. This one brings the buzz, both caffeinated and celebratory. Ideal for dessert or that second wind before the dance playlist kicks in.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz fresh espresso (or strong cold brew concentrate), cooled
• 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup (see note)
• Pinch ground cinnamon (optional)
• Ice
• Garnish: 3 coffee beans and a dusting of cinnamon

Gingerbread syrup: Simmer 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp molasses, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of clove for 3–4 minutes. Strain and cool.

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake hard for 15–20 seconds to get that foamy top.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with coffee beans and cinnamon.

Use spiced rum instead of vodka for a cozy variation. No espresso machine? Strong cold brew concentrate works. For less sweetness, reduce syrup to 1/4 oz and add an extra splash of espresso.

6. Spiced Pear Bourbon Smash That Feels Like A Hug

Pears don’t get enough love, and this cocktail fixes that. It’s fruity, gently spiced, and incredibly sippable. Great with roast turkey, baked ham, or a platter of aged cheeses.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz pear nectar (or pear juice)
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz spiced honey syrup (see note)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Ice
• Garnish: pear slice and grated nutmeg

Spiced honey syrup: Warm 1/2 cup honey with 1/2 cup water and a pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir to dissolve; cool.

Instructions:

1. Add bourbon, pear nectar, lemon, honey syrup, and bitters to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake 12–15 seconds and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
3. Garnish with a pear slice and a whisper of nutmeg.

Upgrade with a sprig of thyme for a savory note. No pear nectar? Use apple cider and it still slaps. Batch it by multiplying everything except the ice—stir over ice to serve.

7. Sparkling Rosemary Grapefruit Paloma That Keeps The Party Bright

Fresh grapefruit meets rosemary and bubbles for a cocktail that tastes like crisp winter air—zesty, refreshing, and impossible to put down. It’s a crowd-pleaser and plays well with everything from tacos to latkes.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila blanco
• 2 oz fresh pink grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz rosemary simple syrup (from Recipe 4)
• 2–3 oz grapefruit soda or club soda
• Pinch of flaky salt
• Ice
• Garnish: grapefruit wedge and rosemary sprig

Instructions:

1. Salt half the rim of a highball if you like. Fill with ice.
2. Add tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, rosemary syrup, and a pinch of salt. Stir.
3. Top with soda and give it one gentle stir. Garnish beautifully.

Try mezcal for a smoky edge. For a lighter version, use all club soda and an extra squeeze of lime. Zero-proof? Sub tequila with a non-alcoholic agave spirit or just add more soda and a few drops of vanilla.

8. Mulled Wine In 20 Minutes Because You Have Guests

Mulled wine is like a warm scarf for your soul. This version is quick, balanced, and not too sweet. It perfumes your kitchen and makes everyone feel instantly welcome.

Ingredients:

• 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine (Merlot, Tempranillo, or Cabernet)
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/3 cup honey or sugar (to taste)
• 1 orange, sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 3 star anise
• Optional: 4–6 allspice berries, 1-inch knob fresh ginger, sliced

Instructions:

1. Combine everything in a saucepan. Warm over low heat until steamy but not boiling, 15–20 minutes.
2. Taste and adjust sweetness. Keep warm on the lowest setting.
3. Ladle into mugs, straining out spices if you prefer.

Add a splash of apple cider for extra body. For a white version, use dry white wine with cardamom and pear slices. Hosting kids or sober guests? Make a batch with cranberry juice and apple cider instead of wine and brandy—spices still shine.

9. Chai-Spiced Rum Flip That’s Silky And Festive

If eggnog had a chic cousin, this would be it. The Flip is creamy and frothy, with chai spices and dark rum making it taste like the holidays grew up and got interesting. It’s elegant, rich, and surprisingly easy.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark or aged rum
• 1 oz chai syrup (see note)
• 1 whole egg (fresh)
• 1/4 oz heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Ice
• Garnish: grated nutmeg

Chai syrup: Simmer 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup strong chai tea until dissolved; cool.

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, add rum, chai syrup, egg, cream (if using), and bitters. Dry shake (no ice) for 10 seconds.
2. Add ice and shake hard for 15–20 seconds until frothy.
3. Strain into a coupe or small wine glass. Grate nutmeg on top.

Prefer no raw egg? Use 1 oz pasteurized liquid egg whites and increase cream to 1 oz for body. Bourbon works beautifully too. For a lighter riff, skip the cream and serve over ice with a splash of soda.

10. Caramel Apple Cider Margarita That Breaks The Rules

Yes, margarita season is year-round—especially when it tastes like caramel apples and cinnamon sugar. This one is playful, seasonal, and way too easy to love. Make it as your signature cocktail and watch it disappear fast.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila reposado
• 1 oz triple sec
• 2 oz fresh apple cider
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz caramel syrup or dulce de leche (thinned with warm water)
• Cinnamon-sugar for rim
• Ice
• Garnish: thin apple fan and cinnamon stick

Instructions:

1. Rim a rocks glass with lime and dip in cinnamon-sugar. Fill with ice.
2. Shake tequila, triple sec, apple cider, lime juice, and caramel with ice for 12–15 seconds.
3. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with the apple fan and cinnamon stick.

Smoky twist: use half tequila, half mezcal. If your cider is sweet, reduce the caramel to 1/4 oz and add more lime. For a big batch, multiply by 6–8 and build in a pitcher; shake individual portions with ice when serving.

Hosting Tips To Keep Things Effortless

• Prep syrups a day ahead. They keep in the fridge for 1–2 weeks.
• Chill glassware in the freezer—it makes everything feel more “wow.”
• Set up a garnish station: citrus twists, cranberries, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and flaky salt.
• Offer at least one zero-proof option. It’s thoughtful and genuinely delicious.
• Batch what you can, then finish with soda or bubbles right before serving.

There you go—10 easy holiday cocktails that look impressive, taste incredible, and won’t keep you stuck behind the bar all night. Pick one, pour generously, and enjoy the cheers. And if you find a favorite, make it your signature. Your guests will ask for it next year—seriously.