What Are the Best Holiday Cocktails? 2025 Edition
A Bartender’s Guide to Festive Sipping
When the weather gets colder and the gatherings get cozier, there’s one thing guaranteed to warm everyone up: a really good holiday cocktail.
Sure, you could stick with the same bottle of wine at your next party, or you could shake things up (literally) with drinks that taste like holiday spirit in a glass. Whether you’re hosting a full-blown Christmas soiree or just trying to impress your friends, we’ve got you covered.
These are tried-and-true recipes from our team of professional bartenders that we’ve used at client events. These drinks are crafted to wow a crowd, go easy on prep, and look as good as they taste. No weird ingredients you’ve never heard of, no unnecessary flair (unless you’re into maple wood smoke. . .and hey, we respect that), just damn good drinks built for the holidays.
So grab your shaker and let’s get started.
Top 5 Holiday Cocktails You Should Try
You don’t need a full bar cart or a mixology course to make these. These five cocktails hit that sweet spot between festive and foolproof, meaning they’re crowd-pleasers, easy to prep, and just elevated enough to impress your most cocktail-savvy guests.
First up: a cozy classic that tastes like apple pie and bourbon had a beautiful holiday baby.
Apple Pie Old Fashioned
A nostalgic twist on the Old Fashioned, this drink is warm, spiced, and just sweet enough without being too much. It’s perfect for fireside sipping or enjoying after a cozy meal.
Ingredients:
2 oz Apple Bourbon
½ oz Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Pinch of cinnamon
Dehydrated apple slice (for garnish)
Cinnamon stick (for garnish)
Optional: maple wood chips for smoking the glass
Instructions:
Add the apple bourbon, brown sugar syrup, bitters, and a pinch of cinnamon to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well-chilled.
If you’re feeling extra: smoke the serving glass with maple wood for that dramatic flair and a hint of campfire aroma.
Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Garnish with a dehydrated apple slice and a cinnamon stick.
Pro Bartender Tip:
No apple bourbon on hand? Mix 1.5 oz regular bourbon with 0.5 oz apple cider and give it a shake. No one has to know!
Cranberry Limoncello Spritz
Light, bubbly, and effortlessly chic, this spritz is tailor-made for holiday brunches, afternoon gatherings, or any time you want to feel fancy without trying too hard.
Ingredients:
2 oz Limoncello
2 oz Cranberry Juice (we recommend going with unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
Top with Prosecco
Fresh cranberries (for garnish)
Rosemary sprig (for garnish)
Instructions:
Fill a wine or spritz glass with ice.
Pour in the limoncello and cranberry juice. Stir gently.
Top with chilled Prosecco—as much or as little as you’d like.
Garnish with a few cranberries and a rosemary sprig for that picture-worthy finish.
Pro Bartender Tip:
Pop the rosemary in the microwave for around 10 seconds before garnishing. It releases the aroma and will for sure make your guests think you’re a cocktail genius.
Gingerbread White Russian
This isn’t your average White Russian. This holiday version feels like wearing a cozy Christmas sweater while handing out freshly baked cookies. Creamy, spiced, and just the right amount of indulgent, it’s basically dessert in a glass (but with a kick).
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Vodka
1 oz Kahlua (or your preferred coffee liqueur)
1 oz Milk or Cream (eggnog works if you’re feeling extra festive)
¼ tsp Gingerbread Spice Mix (can sub with ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of clove)
Cinnamon stick (for garnish)
Optional: whipped cream or a dash of ground spice on top
Instructions:
Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, milk/cream, and gingerbread spice to a shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled and frothy.
Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick and add a sprinkle of spice if you’re feeling fancy.
Pro Bartender Tip:
Use eggnog instead of cream for the ultimate gingerbread experience.
Mint Chocolate Martini
Rich, smooth, and undeniably festive, this martini is what happens when your favorite holiday candy sneaks into the bar after hours. It’s sweet without being cloying, minty without tasting like toothpaste, and strong enough to enhance the holiday spirit.
Ingredients
1.5 oz Chocolate Vodka
1 oz Creme de Menthe
1 oz Milk or Cream
Optional: Chocolate syrup (for garnish)
Instructions:
Drizzle chocolate syrup inside a chilled martini glass. Swirl to coat the interior.
In a shaker, combine chocolate vodka, creme de menthe, and milk/cream with ice. Shake like you mean it!
Strain into your prepared martini glass.
Optional: top with shaved chocolate, a mint leaf, or both.
Pro Bartender Tip:
If you want that frosted rim look, dip the glass rim in chocolate syrup and then crushed candy cane before pouring.
Holiday Cheermeister
Equal parts classy and cheerful, the Cheermeister is the drink you pull out when you want to impress. It’s a sparkling, jewel-toned showstopper with layers of flavor—tart, sweet, citrusy, and bubbly—basically the cocktail version of holiday magic.
Ingredients
1 oz Bourbon or Whiskey
2 oz Fresh Pomegranate Juice
1 oz Fresh-Squeezed Blood Orange Juice
Top with Prosecco
Garnish: Pomegranate Seeds, Blood Orange Wedge, and Rosemary Sprig
Instructions:
In a shaker, combine bourbon, pomegranate juice, and blood orange juice with ice. Shake until chilled.
Strain into a stemless wine glass or coupe.
Top with a generous splash of Prosecco.
Garnish with pomegranate seeds, a blood orange wedge, and a rosemary sprig for a touch of seasonal flair.
Pro Bartender Tip:
Batch this beauty in a pitcher (without the bubbles) and top each glass with Prosecco just before serving. That way, you get the sparkle and your guests aren’t left waiting.
Here’s How to Create Your Own Holiday Cocktail
Inspired by our list and wanting to freestyle your own festive drink? Here are a few bartender-approved guidelines.
1. Start with a Base Spirit
Choose your weapon:
Vodka: Neutral, plays well with fruits and spices
Bourbon or Whisky: Warm, rich, pairs beautifully with holiday flavors
Gin: Botanical, great with citrus or herbaceous elements
Rum: Especially spiced rum, great for cozy or tropical holiday vibes
2. Add a Festive Flavor Element
This is where the holiday magic happens. Think:
Juices: Cranberry, pomegranate, blood orange, apple cider
Syrups: Brown sugar, maple, cinnamon simple syrup, gingerbread syrup
Liqueurs: Limoncello, coffee liqueur, creme de menthe, amaretto
3. Balance with Acid or Bitterness
Even holiday cheer needs a balanced flavor profile. Add:
A squeeze of lemon or lime juice
A few dashes of bitters (Angostura, orange, etc)
A splash of dry sparkling wine if your drink is on the sweeter side
4. Finish with Flair
Presentation is flavor’s best friend. Garnishes aren’t just pretty; they add aroma and a sense of occasion.
Use a rosemary sprig, dehydrated citrus slice, or candied cranberries
Rim the glass with crushed candy cane, cinnamon sugar, or even grated chocolate
5. Test, Taste, Tweak
Don’t be afraid to mess it up. That’s half the fun!
Too sweet? Add citrus or bitters.
Too strong? Shake with ice longer or dilute with soda.
Not festive enough? Throw a cinnamon stick in there and don’t overthink it.
Pro Bartender Tip:
Write down what you did (especially if it turns out great). There’s nothing worse than creating a holiday miracle and forgetting how you pulled it off.
Shake, Stir, and Celebrate
Whether you’re crafting cocktails for a big family gathering, an office party, or a quiet night in with your favorite fuzzy socks, the right drink can turn any moment into something a little more memorable.
From cozy sippers like the Apple Pie Old Fashioned to bubbly showstoppers like the Cranberry Limoncello Spritz, these holiday cocktails were designed by pros but made for real-life celebrations. No pretentious ingredients, no complicated steps, just great drinks and good cheer.
But if you’d rather spend your evening drinking the cocktails instead of making them, we don’t blame you. If you’re local to the Phoenix, Arizona, area, contact the Top Shelf Bartenders to book your holiday event. We’ll handle the mixing and garnishing so you can kick back and relax.
