47 Spectacular Winter Holiday Cocktail Recipes
Spice up your annual winter holiday celebrations with a seasonal cocktail or two (or three). These 47 outrageously flavorful cocktail recipes range from bold bourbon eggnogs and spiced apple ciders to maple vodka esspresso and savory sweet potato (yes, sweet potato!) martinis. Whether you're in the mood for a dessert drink or something smooth to sip on while sitting by the fireplace, this holiday cocktail guide has you covered.
Use the table of contents below to jump to a flavor that suits your fancy!
Image Credit: Dana Moos
Use the table of contents below to jump to a flavor that suits your fancy!
Image Credit: Dana Moos
Apple-Flavored Winter Cocktails
Click the photos to view each apple cocktail recipe!
APPLE CIDERCAR (williams-sonoma.com)Apple cider transforms this classic cocktail into a sweet Thanksgiving treat.
What You'll Need: brandy, Cointreau or triple sec, apple cider concentrate, water, lemon juice
APPLE CIDER RUMTINI (blog.healthyandsane.com)Top off this scrumptious cocktail with an extra dash of cinnamon.
What You'll Need: white rum, apple cider, simple syrup, lime juice, cinnamon, sugar
HARVEST SOUR (smithratliff.com)Egg whites add fun and froth to this brandy-based cocktail.
What You'll Need: Applejack, rye whiskey, simple syrup, lemon juice, egg white, Angostura and the Peychaud's bitters
APPLE PIE SPICED CIDER (MarthaStewart.com)Drink your apple pie with this Martha Stewart-approved spiked cider.
What You'll Need: Calvados, apple cider, light-brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, ground allspice, ground ginger, ground cloves, grated nutmeg, salt
THE APPLE-DISIAC (cosmopolitan.com)Spiked cider designed to satisfy the coffee lover's palette.
What You'll Need: apple-flavored vodka, coffee liqueur, apple cider, cream, apple slices
WHISKEY APPLE SODA (williams-sonoma.com)Beer and bourbon come together in this carbonated Thanksgiving cocktail.
What You'll Need: bourbon, apple juice, ginger beer, soda water
SPICED APPLE MARTINI (cosmopolitan.com)Add a touch of pineapple with this simple martini.
What You'll Need: Captain Morgan spiced rum, sour-apple mix, pineapple juice, apple slices
GINGER-SPICED CARAMEL APPLETINI (daydreamerdesserts.com)This delectable fall cocktail combines ginger and butterscotch.
What You'll Need: vodka, ginger-infused vodka, butterscotch schnapps, apple schnapps, apple juice
HOT APPLE GINGER TODDY (thekitchn.com)A warm and cozy cocktail perfect for a cold November night.
What You'll Need: Applejack or bourbon, apple cider, honey, lemon, gingerroot, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg
APPLE CINNAMON TOAST (cocktailtimes.com)Give thanks for this classy green apple cocktail.
What You'll Need: Smirnoff Green Apple Twist vodka, Goldschlager, green apple Jell-O, cinnamon sticks, sliced apples
DAPPLED JACK (intoxicologist.net)A stiff whiskey cocktail with just a hint of apple.
What You'll Need: Jack Daniel's whiskey, Berentzen ApfelKorn Schnapps, ginger ale, crystallized ginger
Apple Cider Drink Mixes
Quick and easy apple cider for your winter cocktails!
Motts Spiced Cider Variety Pack - 36 Ct. Packets of Honeycrisp, Hot Apple Pie, Mcintosh and Caramel
Amazon Price: $14.25 (as of 02/22/2012)
Hot water is all you need to create this scrumptious apple cider. With four tasty flavors, this variety pack is perfect for a Thanksgiving host or hostess with little time to spare.
Pecan and Almond Winter Cocktails
Click the photos to view each pecan or almond cocktail recipe!
PECAN PIE MARTINI (daydreamerdesserts.com)A sweet-as-pie cocktail made especially for dessert lovers.
What You'll Need: Praline pecan liqueur, caramel cream liqueur, bourbon, Torani caramel syrup, heavy cream, turbinado sugar, pecan halves
GOLDEN PECAN MARTINI (louisianacookin.com)Enjoy just a hint of pecan with this strong vodka martini.
What You'll Need: pecan liqueur, vodka, ground pecans, pecan halves
PEAR ALMOND CRISP MARTINI (daydreamerdesserts.com)This cinnamon-rimmed cocktail combines vanilla and pear.
What You'll Need: pear liqueur, honey liqueur, vanilla vodka, amaretto, half and half, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, grated nutmeg
BURNT ALMOND (food.com)Kahlua and Amaretto make this smooth cocktail a tasty after-dinner drink.
What You'll Need: Amaretto, Kahlua, white Creme de Cacao, milk
Torani Syrups
Add extra flavor to your favorite cocktail with these affordable syrups!
Prices reflect packs of three. Torani syrups are also available in sugar-free flavors
!
!
Cranberry-Flavored Winter Cocktails
Click the photos to view each cranberry cocktail recipe!
CRANBERRY GINGER MARTINI (cosmopolitan.com)Enjoy a swift kick of ginger with this straightforward martini.
What You'll Need: cranberry vodka, simple syrup, grated ginger, fresh or frozen cranberries, lime juice, cranberry juice, Sprite, lemon twist
CRANBERRY APPLE COBBLER (funandfoodcafe.com)Pair this delicious fall cocktail with salty or spicy Thanksgiving bites.
What You'll Need: Smirnoff cranberry, cranberry juice, lemon juice, apple cider, apple slices, graham crackers
CRANBERRY GINGER FIZZ (creative-culinary.com)Refresh your taste buds with this just-sweet-enough cocktail.
What You'll Need: Bombay Sapphire or other dry gin, cranberries, sugar, water, lemon, orange, ginger ale, mint sprigs
FROZEN CRANBERRY MARGARITOS (myrecipes.com)Cranberry sauce finds a new calling in this part-margarita part-mojito mixed drink.
What You'll Need: tequila, frozen mojito mix, whole-berry cranberry sauce, orange liqueur, lime juice, ice
Maple-Flavored Winter Cocktails
Click the photos to view each maple cocktail recipe!
MAPLE LEAF (leitesculinaria.com)Kick off Thanksgiving with the original maple syrup cocktail.
What You'll Need: bourbon, pure maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks
RYE MAPLE FIZZ (williams-sonoma.com)Frizz and froth make this mixed drink even more fun.
What You'll Need: rye whiskey, lemon juice, maple syrup, egg whites, soda water
LIBERATION LIBATION (liquor.com)Add class to your Thanksgiving cocktail with a cinnamon-sugar rim.
What You'll Need: Vermont Gold vodka, maple syrup, sparkling apple cider, sugar, cinnamon
MAPLE VODKA ESPRESSO (paulmcgee.blogspot.com)Delight your favorite coffee lover with this espresso-based dessert drink.
What You'll Need: Vermont Gold maple vodka, Kahlua, espresso, heavy cream
VERMONT COCKTAIL (paulmcgee.blogspot.com)Enjoy a taste of the Green Mountain State with this cocktail.
What You'll Need: dry gin, apple brandy, apricot brandy, lime juice, maple syrup, Angostura bitters
Save yourself time in the kitchen with this four-ingredient cocktail.
What You'll Need: gin, light rum, maple syrup, lemon juice
Pure New England Maple Syrup
Give your holiday guests a maple cocktail treat!
Brown Family Farm Pure New England Maple Syrup, 1.70-Ounce Glass Leaf Bottles (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $14.38 (as of 02/22/2012)
Bring the flavor of New England home with these ornately shaped bottles of pure maple syrup. Give a sugary sweet housewarming gift or party favor for this Thanksgiving!
Pumpkin-Flavored Winter Cocktails
Click the photos to view each pumpkin cocktail recipe!
PUMPKIN MARTINI (cosmopolitan.com)This creamy martini is a delicious substitute for traditional desserts.
What You'll Need: Absolut Vanilla, cream liqueur, canned pumpkin puree, whipped cream, cinnamon sticks
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKETINI (snappygourmet.com)Drinkable pumpkin cheesecake. Enough said.
What You'll Need: pumpkin spice liqueur, cinnamon schnapps, milk, cheesecake instant pudding mix, caramel, graham cracker crumbs, whipped cream, cinnamon
CARAMEL PUMPKIN PIE MARTINI (wearenotmartha.com)Homemade caramel syrup makes this cocktail extra tasty.
What You'll Need: vanilla vodka, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, sugar, water, ice
PUMPKIN DIVINE (cocktailtimes.com)A classy top-shelf cocktail for your holiday get together.
What You'll Need: Grey Goose La Poire-flavored vodka, pumpkin butter, triple sec, simple syrup, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger
PUMPKIN PIE (cocktailtimes.com)Rum and Kahlua make this pie-inspired cocktail a delectable adult dessert.
What You'll Need: Malibu rum, Kahlua, canned pumpkin pie filling, milk, cinnamon, graham crackers
HOT PUMPKIN BUTTERED RUM (thekitchn.com)Pumpkin butter makes this one seriously hot cocktail.
What You'll Need: dark rum, unsalted butter, light brown sugar, pumpkin butter, pumpkin pie spice, salt, water, whipped cream
SMASHING PUMPKIN (madtini.com)Entertain your Thanksgiving guests with this triple liquor mixed drink.
What You'll Need: Baileys Irish Creme, Goldschalger cinnamon schnapps, Kahlua, pumpkin spice syrup, ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks
PUMPKIN APPLE CIDER FIZZ (thekitchn.com)Four festive flavors come together in this Thanksgiving cocktail.
What You'll Need: vanilla vodka, ginger beer, pumpkin puree, apple cider
How Do You Like YOUR Holiday Cocktails?
Choose your favorite winter cocktail flavor!
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Eggnog-Based Winter Cocktails
Click the photos to view each eggnog cocktail recipe!
UNCLE ANGELO'S EGGNOG (liquor.com)Enjoy both rum and bourbon in this yummy eggnog.
What You'll Need: Four Roses bourbon, Captain Morgan spiced rum, separated eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, grated nutmeg
GINGER SNAP (hwtm.com)Dunk a ginger snap or two in this tasty dessert drink.
What You'll Need: Captain Morgan spiced rum, ginger brandy, eggnog, ginger snap
HOT CIDER NOG (myrecipes.com)Apple cider adds extra flavor to this traditional eggnog.
What You'll Need: bourbon, apple cider, half and half, milk, eggs, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, whipping cream, cinnamon sticks
PUMPKIN EGGNOG (girly-drinks.com)Eggnog with the added flair of maple syrup and pumpkin.
What You'll Need: Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, vanilla liqueur, eggnog, canned pumpkin puree, bitters, maple syrup, whipped cream
FRENCH VANILLA EGGNOG (lemonandlavender.wordpress.com)This eggnog is extra creamy thanks to added ice cream.
What You'll Need: bourbon, brandy, eggnog, french vanilla ice cream, orange liqueur, grated nutmeg, grated chocolate
EGGLESS NOG (VEGAN) (greenupgrader.com)Live the vegan life with this alternative eggnog recipe.
What You'll Need: Silk nog or Silk pumpkin spice, Papagayo Organic Spiced Rum, cinnamon sticks
Sweet Potato Holiday Cocktails
Click the photos to view each sweet potato cocktail recipe!
SHOOT A WILD TURKEY (food2.com)Top off this unusual Thanksgiving cocktail with mini marshmallows.
What You'll Need: Wild Turkey bourbon, butterscotch schnapps, canned sweet potatoes, nutmeg, mini marshmallows
SWEET INDULGENCE (luxist.com)A top-shelf concoction with the added sweetness of maple syrup.
What You'll Need: Grey Goose L'Orange flavored vodka, vanilla brandy or liqueur, lime juice, maple or simple syrup, molasses, sweet potatoes
SWEET POTATO MARTINI (starchefs.com)This complicated homemade cocktail is perfect for amateur mixologists.
What You'll Need: 190-proof neutral grain spirit, sherry, sweet potatoes, water, vanilla beans, pumpkin, pecans, cinnamon sticks, sugar
Coffee-Flavored Winter Cocktails
Click the photos to view each coffee cocktail recipe!
HOT RUM COFFEE (williams-sonoma.com)Spiked coffee makes for a perfect cold-weather cure.
What You'll Need: amber rum, coffee, half and half, sugar, ground cardamom, grated nutmeg, grated chocolate
ULTIMATE ALEXANDER (myrecipes.com)A tasty chocolate cocktail for coffee lovers.
What You'll Need: brandy, coffee, coffee ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, chocolate curls, chocolate bars
HOT IRISH MONK (myrecipes.com)Warm up with this spiked hot chocolate recipe.
What You'll Need: Irish whiskey, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, hot chocolate
Wine-Based Winter Cocktails
Click the photos to view each wine-based cocktail recipe!
THE POINSETTIA (thekitchn.com)Make a Thanksgiving toast with this sparkling holiday cocktail.
What You'll Need: champagne or dry sparkling white wine, cranberry juice, orange liqueur
CRANBERRY CHAMPAGNE (myrecipes.com)A simple, classy cranberry cocktail for your holiday potluck.
What You'll Need: champagne or sparkling wine, dried cranberries
Have a Favorite Winter Holiday Drink That's Not Featured Here?
Share your tastiest holiday cocktails and I'll add them to the guide!
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DebMartin
Jan 11, 2012 @ 4:30 pm | delete
- What an elegant lens. So well put together. I've snagged a couple of recipes. I'm sure I'll be returning for more. We in the north country love a good winter drink and appreciate variety in an otherwise snowy and dark time of year.
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