45 Winter Cocktails for Holiday Cheers

45 Winter Cocktails for Holiday Cheers

There are two types of people in this world: those who adore the winter season, and those who approach it with extreme caution. No matter which category you fall under, since you clicked on this article, you might want a drink in your hand when the holidays roll around. (And that time is coming faster than you may think. Ahhh!)

Sure, winter is wonderful. It’s a time for festive fun, getting all cozy, and blowing all your money on your loved ones (and, ahem, yourself during those sweet, sweet Black Friday sales). But this is a safe space, so let’s drop the niceties—holidays mean family time, and family time means drinks might be necessary.

Now, if you think hot toddys and egg nog are the only alcoholic bevvies suitable for a holiday extravaganza, I’m about to pull an Aladdin rn and show you a whole new world. There are so many yummy cold-weather cocktails you can make at home that are far from basic—you just need a recipe and a few bottles of the good stuff (which make great holiday presents, FWIW). And hey, wouldn’t ya know, I’ve got a bunch of fab recipes (45, to be exact) for you, right here.

Place your bartender cap on top of your Santa hat and get ready to simmer some baked apple syrup, level up with mulled rosé, and garnish with some evergreen sprigs. Whatever recipe you choose, you certainly won’t be stuck with boring winter cocktails this year. Promise.

1. Old Saint Nick’s Chocolate Espresso Martini If desired, rim your glass with chocolate fudge sauce. Then, in a cocktail shaker, combine 1.5 oz vodka, 1.5 oz Kahlúa, 1 oz espresso, 1.5 oz chocolate liquor, 1 oz dark chocolate liquor, and 0.25 teaspoon vanilla. Add ice and shake vigorously for one minute. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate and star anise, if desired.

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2. Christmas Royale Shake 1 oz tequila reposado, 0.5 oz crème de cassis, and 0.5 oz lime juice in a shaker. Fine strain into a flute. Top with 3 oz of Lambrusco.

3. Ornamentini Shake together 1.5 oz vodka, 0.75 oz Cointreau, 0.5 oz lime juice, and 0.5 oz rosemary-infused simple syrup. Funnel into a food safe-ornament and place on top of cranberries in a martini glass. Pour into the glass when ready to enjoy, and garnish with a sprig of rosemary!

4. Tequila Sour Add 2 oz Flecha Azul Reposado, 1 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz lime juice, 0.5 oz agave, 2 dashes angostura bitters, and 1 egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 15 seconds. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake again for 30 seconds. Strain into a glass; the foam will collect at the top. Garnish with a lime wedge and cocktail cherry, and enjoy!

5. Negroni…Sbagliato…With Prosecco In It Stir 1 part Campari and 1 part 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rossoin a glass with ice. Top with 1 part Cinzano Prosecco. Garnish with an orange slice.

6. Baked Apple Margarita Combine 0.5 oz of Agave, 0.25 oz of Lime Juice, 2 oz Campo Bravo Reposado, and 1.5 oz of baked apple syrup. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for a cozy holiday flavor. For the baked apple syrup: The baked apple syrup is made by making apple purée (sauce) as you’d make at home. After you make it, simmer it by adding water, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon, and strain.

7. Betty Buzz Cranberry T&G Over ice, combine 1.5 oz gin (if desired), 2 oz cranberry juice, and a splash of lime juice in a glass. Top with half a bottle of Betty Buzz Tonic Water and garnish with a lime wheel and tooth-picked cranberries.

8. Pumpkin Pie Martini In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz Patrón Silver, 1.5 oz orange juice, 1.5 oz pumpkin purée, 0.75 oz lemon juice, and 1 0z honey pumpkin spice syrup, and shake. Strain the cocktail into a martini glass. Dust with pumpkin pie spice blend and garnish with an orange twist, then serve. For the honey pumpkin spice syrup: In a small pot, whisk together 1 cup of water, 1 cup of honey, and 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice blend. Over high heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Once at a boil, turn off the heat and allow the syrup to completely cool.

9. Beringer Bros Cabernet Old Fashioned Muddle together 3 dashes of orange bitters and 1 sugar cube. Top with Beringer Bros Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon. Stir and pour over a large ice cube. Garnish with a black cherry and an orange peel.

10. Spiked Pumpkin Spiced Latte Add 2 oz Casa Del Sol Reposado or Blanco, 1 oz premium espresso, 0.75 oz pumpkin spice syrup, and 0.5 oz coconut milk or oat milk into a shaker over ice. Shake well for 10 seconds. Strain into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with grated fresh cinnamon or stick.

Now that we’ve taken a look at these mouthwatering concoctions, it’s time to dive into the recipes and get our bartending skills on! So grab your Santa hat and your shaker, because this winter, we’re taking the cocktail game up a notch. Cheers!