45 best Christmas cocktails & mocktails

It doesn't get more festive than the refreshing flavour and aroma of clementines. This recipe adds ginger beer and whisky for a fiery kick to warm you from the inside out. Try our cheat's ginger beer.

2. Festive rum & ginger punch

Use our mince pie rum (or shop-bought spiced rum) to make this Christmassy treat – it's a handy make-ahead cocktail to serve to friends at a party. We've got plenty of rum cocktails to keep the festive period bright.

3. Apple spritz

A festive twist on the classic Aperol spritz, this delicious concoction brings in apple cider and slices of red apple to garnish. It's incredibly easy and takes less than five minutes to make – just the thing for impromptu festive gatherings. Now try our classic Aperol spritz.

4. Picante

A great winter warmer, fiery red chilli is balanced by soothing honey in this take on a spicy margarita. Discover our clementine margarita recipe for another festive twist.

5. Espresso eggnog martini

Put a festive spin on an espresso martini with creamy eggnog. It's a stylish cocktail but quick and easy to prep. Discover our twists on an espresso martini.

6. Classic snowball

Serve up a classic snowball filled with creamy Advocaat, sweet lemonade and plenty of ice. This retro party tipple garnished with a kitsch maraschino cherry is rich and boozy, just how we like our Christmas drinks. Now try more of our retro cocktails.

7. Classic mulled wine

Make a batch of mulled wine to warm up a crowd of thirsty partygoers using a good-quality red. We recommend an unoaked tempranillo with a dash of sloe gin for extra-fruity sweetness. Mix it up and try our mulled white wine, mulled orange wine or mulled rosé wine for a lighter version of the classic.

8. Cranberry whiskey sour

For fans of the dram, mix up our winter whiskey sour. With just five ingredients, shake together this Christmassy cocktail – the hardest part is deciding who to share it with. Garnish with frozen cranberries for an extra festive touch. Check out our best ever whisky cocktail recipes for more party-worthy tipples.

9. Slow cooker mulled cider

Simply put all of the festive ingredients – cider, apple juice, warming spices and calvados – in the slow cooker, and in four hours you'll be greatly rewarded with this feed-a-crowd mulled cider.

Discover more slow cooker Christmas ideas.

10. Amaretto fizz

Combine canned cherries, their sweet syrup and some almond-flavoured amaretto to create a Christmas-cake-inspired amaretto sour. The sharp lemon cuts through the sweet marzipan flavour of the amaretto, making a perfectly balanced drink. If you're hosting, try pairing your sours with salty nibbles like our Spanish skewers.

11. Irish cream

Miriam Nice shows you how to make homemade Irish cream liqueur and a non-alcoholic version. It’s the ideal way to end your Christmas dinner and also makes a fabulous gift for friends and family.

12. Christmas martini

Imagine all of the flavours of Christmas in a glass and you've got this festive tipple. Shake together bourbon and cherry brandy with your homemade dried fruit syrup for a deliciously indulgent drink.

13. Spice 75

Our spice 75 screams 'class' and is a quintessential taste of Christmas. This aromatic version of the French 75 uses allspice and a measure of rum. Garnish with an artistic twist of orange for an eye-catching pre-dinner drink. It's a strong combination made to be sipped at leisure.

14. Christmas pudding gin

Make your own festive-spiced gin with cinnamon sticks, cloves, amaretto, brandy and citrus for a taste of a Christmas pudding in a glass. It keeps so is a great gift idea for your gin-loving friends.

15. Hot gin toddy

This hot cocktail is perfect for cosying up on a cold evening. It serves two so make one for yourself and share the other with that special someone.

16. Grapefruit spritz

Take a break from super-rich eggnog and creamy cocktails and try our fresh grapefruit spritz. Serve up a taste of the warmer months with a dash of Aperol and zesty grapefruit topped up with prosecco. Put your bottle of fizz to good use with even more easy prosecco cocktail recipes.

17. Christmas cream liqueur

If you're a fan of creamy Christmas drinks, this glass of deliciousness will be right up your street. Our easy Christmas cream liqueur, made with lashings of dulce de leche, makes a great homemade gift (if you manage to restrain yourself from trying a snifter). The dulce de leche adds a deep toffee flavour. Serve over ice for an after-dinner treat. Also, try our coconut & vanilla milk bottle cocktail perfect for a Christmas party.

18. Clementine martinis

Whether shaken or stirred, martinis are divine. Our elegant clementine martinis are easily doubled if you're catering for a big group. These picture-perfect cocktails are a great way to use up any fruit going to waste and we guarantee they'll go down a treat. Try more fruity cocktail recipes here.

19. Eggnog

Kick-start your Christmas with eggnog, a classic creamy cocktail. Miriam Nice shows you how to make a mocktail and vegan version, too. Cheers!

20. Cinnamon butter rum

No one could turn down a glass of our cinnamon butter rum laced with festive spices. It takes just two simple steps to make the ultimate winter indulgence. If you're bored of mulled wine, this is the ideal Christmas alternative. This rich, syrupy delight will put a glow in your cheeks. Find out our best ever rum cocktails..

21. Cranberry margarita

Our vivid red cranberry margarita with a decorative orange sugar rim is a wintry take on the classic tequila cocktail. When the holiday season rolls around, a batch of these striking tipples will add a pop of colour to the party. Now try more ways with tequila.

22. Whisky sour

Start the festive season by making your very own classic whiskey sour or mocktail if you don’t drink alcohol. Miriam Nice adds eggs white to hers to make it nice and silky, but you can make it without. If you love your drinks extra-tangy try more sour cocktail recipes.

23. Pomegranate rosemary spritzer

The savoury, herby notes of this deep pink prosecco cocktail make it an ideal accompaniment to your festive feast. With just three ingredients, our pomegranate rosemary spritzer is a quick-fix drink you can mix up as soon as guests arrive. Learn how to make the ultimate spritz.

24. Salted caramel pecan sour

We've revamped the standard sour and turned it into a moreish modern drink. The mix of sweet, salty and sharp flavours make this drink utterly irresistible. It's well worth the effort of toasting the pecans to bring out the depth of flavour. Finish our salted caramel pecan sour with a grating of fresh nutmeg and sip by the fireside. Now try our salted caramel martini.

25. Vermouth & soda

Keep it simple and sophisticated with our vermouth & soda recipes. Choose red, white or rosé vermouth as a base, then top up with sparkling water and ice. White vermouth will give you a drier finish as opposed to a sweet red or fruity, slightly bitter rosé vermouth. Read our guide and discover even more two-ingredient cocktails.

26. Cosmopolitan

Toast the end of the day with a cosmpolitan cocktail or mocktail. Miriam Nice shows you how to make it with just the right amount of sweet and sour. Get even more in the festive spirit with our Christmas cosmopolitan.

27. St Nick's flip

Our cognac-filled St Nick's flip is undisputedly a dessert in a glass. This creamy creation is filled with cloves, orange, cinnamon and plenty of festive flair. Make your own sugar syrup with our easy recipe and store in the fridge for future parties.

28. Chocolate orange cocktail

We adore the sound of a chocolate orange being tapped into segments, so we created a cocktail that tastes exactly like that Christmas confection. It’s flavoured with crème de cacao and a triple hit of orange. Try more chocolate orange recipes.

29. Brandy alexander

Behold: the perfect after-dinner tipple. To make the classic version, mix together cream, brandy and a chocolate liqueur for a seasonal sweet treat in a glass, then garnish with spiced Christmas sugar. Or, try our tasty twists, including a traditional trifle, fresh strawberry or tropical passion fruit alexander.

30. Gingerbread bellini

If you're pining for more prosecco, mix up a few Christmas bellinis. For a special festive twist on this classic cocktail, make a gingerbread version with the same spicy notes as your favourite Christmas biscuits. Try our orange blossom bellini.

Best non-alcoholic Christmas drinks

1. Pomegrante martini mocktail

Pomegranate juice, a freshly squeezed orange and non-alcoholic gin are mixed to create a seriously refreshing alcohol-free option this Christmas. Love all things pomegranate? Try our top pomegranate molasses recipes.

2. Faux fizz

Mix pear and apricot syrup and top up with sparkling water for a speedy glass of faux fizz. This mocktail is special enough that teetotal party guests and designated drivers won't feel like they've missed out.

3. Mulled apple juice

Don't leave anyone out in the cold – this spiced citrus mulled apple juice holds all the flavour of the traditional drink with none of the alcohol. Kids will also love this non-boozy winter warmer. Now try our non-alcoholic mulled wine.

4. Nutmeg & orange Christmas coffee

If your ideal after-dinner drink is a cup of java, our nutmeg & orange Christmas coffee is for you. The dates add a little sweetness to balance out the bitter coffee notes. It's also a decadent way to start your Christmas morning.

5. New York sour mocktail

Make your very own New York sour cocktail or mocktail. The sour but sweet-tasting drink has a red wine float and a lovely frothy top – just how you like it. Discover the best non-alcoholic wines to buy.

6. Pear & rose punch

This stunning pear & rose punch makes for a showstopping party drink and needs just a handful of ingredients. Using frozen redcurrants will keep your punch cool and they add a pop of colour to the bowl.

7. Sherry negroni mocktail

Miriam adds a twist to a classic by using sherry in her negroni instead of gin, introducing an irresistible softness. Or, try her delicious grapefruit mocktail version.

8. Gin-free G&T

Our divine gin-free G&T is sure to be a big hit with cocktail fans and teetotallers alike. This marvellous mocktail uses cardamom, camomile, mint, cloves and rosemary to create a botanical infusion you can top up with tonic. For the most developed flavour, leave your mixture to infuse for 2-4 hrs. Try our top 10 winter drinks.

9. Peppermint hot chocolate

Combine chocolate, cream, milk and stripy candy sticks for a hot cocoa with real Christmas cheer. Give your favourite chocolate creation a festive facelift with peppermint candy cane stirrers that dissolve as you stir. Our peppermint hot chocolate is the perfect no-effort recipe to whip out at a moment's notice.

10. Pomegranate mojito mocktail

Pack in the Christmas cheer with our pretty-in-pink pomegranate mojito mocktail. The classic mojito cocktail flavours are universally loved, and our spin uses pomegranate seeds and juice for a fun and fruity variation.

11. Spiced piña colada mocktail

Get the party started with our spiced piña colada mocktail. Make a clever mock rum syrup with that all-important pineapple tang, then combine with coconut milk, pineapple juice and a squeeze of lime. The peppercorns, brown sugar and cloves in the base syrup all suggest that distinctive dark rum sweetness and spice.

12. Margarita mocktail

Drinks expert Miriam Nice makes a zesty, salt-rimmed glass of margarita and a refreshing frozen mocktail with coriander. It's a surefire crowd-pleaser for a Christmas party.

13. Crangria

Put a wintery twist on sangria with this cranberry juice-flavoured non-alcoholic option. Make up a jug in advance to take the pressure off party hosting.

14. Grapefruit gin sour mocktail

Tee-totalers need not miss out on the tart taste and fun look of a sour cocktail. This one is shaken with non-alcoholic gin, pink grapefruit juice and an egg white for the classic frothy top.

15. Non-alcoholic eggnog

With all the indulgence of the original creamy eggnog, this one is made simply without the alcohol – and with just five ingredients. It serves four to six so all the family can enjoy it.

More ideas for Christmas parties

Christmas Day cocktails
Christmas punch recipes
Non-alcoholic festive drinks
Guide to festive cocktails and mocktails
Our best ever festive drinks recipes
Christmas buffet recipes
Christmas canapé recipes
Top 10 party canapés

Which drinks do you like to serve at your Christmas party? Leave a comment below…