‘Tis the season to merrily sip on your favorite Christmas cocktails along with your rum and brandy cakes as the holiday season is all set to arrive.
As we bid adieu to another year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working, and the stress of lining up for vaccination, it’s finally time to kick back and celebrate the approaching holiday season with your near and dear ones.
So, as you rush to get your Christmas shopping done and gear up to welcome family and friends, we’ve decided to make your life a whole lot easier.
Now, there’s no need to bust your brains trying to think of festive cocktails as we have already laid the groundwork for you and identified Christmas alcoholic drinks to add an extra zing to your celebrations this year.
Here’s our carefully-curated list of the top 10 easy Christmas cocktails that will keep you and your loved ones cheery throughout the holidays:
1. Creamy Christmas Eggnog:
Can Christmas celebrations ever be truly complete without a cup of extra creamy eggnog? Sweet and simple, this classic Christmas treat is a nostalgic cup of goodness that is a must-have at your Christmas soirée.
What You’ll Need:
- 6 Egg Yolks
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Bourbon or Rum
- 1/2 cup Superfine Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Essence
Directions:
- Slowly combine the milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan over low heat. Bring it to a boil once and then set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl, take the 6 egg yolks and whisk them with the sugar till they become pale yellow.
- Slowly add the milk mixture into the whipped sugar and eggs to temper the eggs and mix well.
- Pour this mixture back into the saucepan and cook it on medium heat till it becomes slightly thicker but do not let it come to a boil.
- Remove it from heat and let it cool down a bit.
- Add the whipped cream and the bourbon, mix it in gently.
- Refrigerate it until chilled. You can add some more whipped cream and sprinkle a bit of cinnamon if required.
Simple, isn’t it? Try out our recipe this Christmas, and let us know how you enjoyed it.
2. Mulled Wine:
Another Christmas classic, mulled wine is perfect for cold, winter nights and is a great way to warm up any visitors braving the strong winds to visit you this Christmas.
Did you know that mulled wine was created in the 2nd century by the Romans? The wine was heated up with spices by the Romans, who used it to protect their bodies from the harsh winters in Europe. As the Roman Empire expanded across Europe, the Romans carried their recipe for mulled wine wherever they went.
The popularity of this soothing drink spread across Europe, and it became a winter staple in many countries and soon evolved into a Christmas classic, with the main recipe undergoing several changes over the centuries.
Today, mulled wine is a winter and Christmas favorite, made with strong spices, tropical fruits, and of course, red wine along with a few surprise additions along the way.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 bottle of inexpensive red wine (we recommend an affordable Merlot)
- 1 shot or 1.5 oz. of port
- 1 orange, chopped into 5 segments, and stuffed with cloves
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2.5 tablespoons of brown sugar
Directions:
- Take a deep pan and combine all of the ingredients in it.
- Warm it up gently on low heat for around 20 mins; make sure not to bring it to a boil as that will burn off the alcohol.
- Once, the mixture has turned hot, take it off the flame and let it cool down a bit.
- Strain and pour into a punch bowl or jug for serving.
- If you want, you can also add star anise to the recipe for a stronger flavor.
- You can also replace the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup.
- Make it just before your guests arrive so that it’s warm before serving.
- Sit back and slowly sip your cuppa of warmth and joy on snowy holiday nights.
3. Salted Caramel White Russian:
Who knows better about the warming effects of alcohol than the Russians, right?
Well, we’re bringing you a recipe for White Russian with a twist that will not just satisfy your sweet tooth but also add a surprising dash of savoriness to your festivities.
What You’ll Need:
- 11/2 oz. Vodka
- 1 oz. Coffee Liqueur (Kahlua-Rum and Coffee)
- 2 oz. Heavy Cream
- 1 tablespoon Caramel Sauce
- Coarse Sea Salt
Directions:
- Rim your serving glasses with caramel sauce and coarse sea salt.
- Take your shaker and fill it with ice.
- Add vodka, coffee liqueur, cream, and caramel sauce.
- Shake well and combine.
- Add ice to your serving glasses and pour some of the good old salty and sweet White Russian on top.
- Sip slowly and enjoy the perfect dessert cocktail with a special salty twist.
4. Winter Wonderland:
Now, how about we try a drink that allows you to taste the best aspects of winter, right there in the comfort of your home?
Well, the next cocktail on our list, aptly named Winter Wonderland promises you exactly that while also slowly warming you up from the inside.
So, let’s move on to the recipe without any further delay, shall we?
What You’ll Need:
- 2 oz. Vodka
- 1.5 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
- 1.5 oz. White Chocolate Liqueur
- Mini candy canes for white sugar
Directions:
- Rim the edge of your cocktail glass with red and white sugar.
- Fill your shaker with ice and pour in all the ingredients.
- Shake well until combined.
- Add ice to your serving glasses and pour the mix over the top.
- Garnish with tiny candy canes; you can even add a red cherry on top and enjoy your very own Winter Wonderland.
5. Winter Whisky Sour:
If you thought that Whiskey Sour was only good for summers, then think again as the next item on our list of delightful Christmas drink recipes is a Whisky Sour with a wintery twist.
We also added just a hint of luxury, which makes this a perfect fit for fancy dinner parties around Christmas.
What You’ll Need:
- 1.7 oz. Bourbon
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Orange Juice
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice’
- 1/2 tablespoon Sugar Syrup
- 2 Orange Slices
- Honey
- Caster Sugar/Edible Gold Flakes
Directions:
- Use a brush to apply the honey to the rim of your serving glasses.
- Brush on the caster sugar or edible gold flakes or even a mix of both.
- Mix the bourbon with lemon juice, orange juice, and sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker.
- Add crushed ice to your serving glasses and pour the prepared mixture on top.
- Garnish with gold dust or flakes on top.
6. Spiced Irish Coffee:
If you like your coffee sweet and with just the right amount of spice, then this recipe is for you.
After all, what sounds more exciting on a cold, winter night than a hot cup of coffee with heavy cream and strong Irish whisky. Warm, sweet, and soul-satisfying, our creamy Irish coffee is the perfect drink to help you relax and unwind at home during the holidays.
We especially recommend it for the morning after Christmas as it’s the perfect drink to go with opening your presents.
What You’ll Need:
- 5 oz. Freshly-brewed Black Coffee
- 1.7 oz. Irish Whiskey (We recommend Jameson)
- 1 teaspoon Brown Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg
Directions:
- Rinse your glass or mug in hot water to heat it.
- Pour in the hot, freshly-brewed coffee.
- Add the whisky and the sugar, mix well till all the sugar is dissolved.
- Gently add the whipped cream on top and sprinkle some grated nutmeg.
- Voila! Your spicy Irish coffee is ready to be enjoyed. If you are looking for some extra comfort during the holiday, might we suggest adding some chocolate syrup and shavings as well?
7. Hot Buttered Rum:
One simply cannot skip out on Hot Buttered Rum while compiling a list of the best Christmas drink recipes.
A rich blend of butter, rum, sugar, and spice, this Christmas cocktail presents the perfect way to indulge yourself as this decadent drink is guaranteed to uplift your mood and keep you smiling through the holidays?
So, what are you waiting for? Follow the steps below to spread some holiday cheer among family and friends this Christmas.
What You’ll Need:
- 16 oz. Boiling Water
- 6 oz. Spiced Rum
- 1 stick of Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon Ground Cloves
- 2 oz. Honey
- 5 oz. Dark Brown Sugar
- 4 Cinnamon Sticks
- A Pinch of Salt
Directions:
- Take the brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Blend with an electric mixer until you get a smooth paste.
- Add the rum and 2 cups of boiling water.
- Keep mixing till all the butter has dissolved and blended completely.
- Pour it out into 4 mugs, add a cinnamon stick in each and serve.
8. Wassail:
Another Christmas tradition, Wassail is another hot beverage that warms you straight down to your toes in the winter.
Did you know that in England, a large punch bowl was filled up to the brim with Wassail and shared by the family and servants alike every Christmas? What a quaint and charming tradition!
Making Wassail and serving it to your guests can be a great way to add warmth to your Christmas celebrations and that’s exactly why we’re sharing this recipe with you.
What You’ll Need:
- 32 oz. Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1.5-inch Nub of Fresh Ginger, Grated or Finely Chopped
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 2 Freshly Sliced Lemons
- 3 Star Anise
- ¼ oz. Vanilla Extract
- 1.5 oz Bourbon per serving
Directions:
- Add all the non-alcoholic ingredients to a saucepan and simmer them for at least 30. For best results, do it for over an hour.
- While serving, use a shot glass to add the Bourbon in every glass and add the simmered mixture on top.
- You can take your Wassail to a whole new level by adding a few slides of red apples to every glass.
9. Hot Toddy:
From a stubborn cold to a case of seasonal megrims, there are very few things that well-made Hot Toddy cannot cure.
A truly versatile Christmas cocktail, a toddy can be made with whisky, scotch, or even rum and brandy.
Here’s our recipe for a warm, steaming mug of Hot Toddy to perk you up on the bluest of days:
What You’ll Need:
- 7 oz. Boiling Water
- 1 Lemon Peel
- 2 teaspoons Brown Sugar
- 4 Cloves
- ¼ oz. Lemon Juice
- 2 oz. Whisky, Scotch, or Bourbon
Directions:
- Pour the boiling water into a mug.
- Let the mug warm up and pour out the boiling water.
- Fill it up halfway with fresh, boiling water.
- Add the sugar and mix until it’s dissolved.
- Pierce the lemon wheel with cloves and add.
- Add the lemon juice and the alcohol of your choice, mix again.
- Enjoy while hot.
10. English Christmas Punch:
Can any list of festive Christmas cocktails be complete without a mention of the classic English Christmas Punch?
A heart-warming drink to the core, your classic English Punch is a festive combination of rum, red wine, tea, and citrus fruits.
What You’ll Need:
- 25 oz. Dark Rum
- 25 oz. Dry Red Wine
- 24 oz. of Strong, Brewed Tea
- 16 oz. Granulated Sugar
- 4 oz. Orange Juice
- 4 oz. Lemon Juice
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan.
- Hear them and keep stirring till all the sugar is dissolved, do not let it come to a boil.
- Mix in orange slices and cranberries and pour everything out into a punch bowl.
- Warm once before serving.
- Enjoy with family and friends this Christmas.
So, which of these easy Christmas cocktails will you be trying out this festive season? Let us know in the comments below.