Easy Christmas Cocktail Recipes
Our favourite simple to mix cocktails to try during this festive period.
In this list we've curated out favourite easiest cocktails that don't need any element of refinement or perfect balance. The cocktails that work even if you're a ml or 2 out on the measures,, the punches and pitchers to share, and the generally shake and serve concoctions that anyone can create, from novice through to your masterful mixologist.
We've thrown in some classics as well as some creative new mixes that we've taste tested over the past year; some that you'll already know and love and just sit right at this time of the year, and others that speak out to rich decadence and taste overload. But there's also the refined and simplistic flavour profiles within the list, hopefully there's something here for everyone.
Of course any of these cocktails work throughout the Christmas period, some are more suited to deep conversation in front of an open fire, where as others speak out for the party's and gatherings at this time of the year. Whatever you're up to, whatever you're hoping to mix and shake this Christmas, this Easy Christmas Cocktail Recipe list should have you excited and intrigued to discover more.
Christmas Cocktail Recipe Hub
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Features 15 cocktails
1. Winter pimms punch
What's simpler and more Christmassy than throwing a heap of pungent beautifully scented ingredients into a pan and letting it slowly simmer, serving as needed. Simple, delicious and smells like Christmas.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Roasted chestnuts and baked brie with cranberries. The warming and fruity nature of this punch pairs perfectly with warm, rich cheese and seasonal nuts.
Ingredients
Method
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- If serving warm, combine the brandy, Pimm’s, apple juice, orange, apple and cinnamon in a large pan, heat but do not let it boil or simmer
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- Then, combine all ingredients in a sturdy pitcher
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- If serving cold, combine all ingredients into a pitcher or punch bowl with lots of ice and stir well before serving
2. Boulevardier
This is a serious cocktail for serious drinkers, but it isn't a serious make. Add, shake, pour. You can definitely tweak this to your palette, adding more Campari or Bourbon depending on your style and taste. But complicated it is not!
Food Pairing Suggestion: Charcuterie board with cured meats and sharp cheeses. The sweet-bitter balance of this cocktail complements savory meats and bold cheeses, making it ideal for festive snacking.
Ingredients
Method
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- Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice
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- Shake well and strain into chilled cocktail glass
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- Garnish with an orange wedge and serve
3. Santa's Stiff Hot Chocolate
A little more step by step for Santa's treat, but the chocolate element allows you to not really get this one wrong. Anything that includes this much decadence is going to taste great!
Food Pairing Suggestion: Gingerbread cookies. The rich, chocolaty warmth of this cocktail pairs excellently with spiced gingerbread for a cozy holiday treat.
Ingredients
Method
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- In a saucepan over a low heat, add the milk, honey, sugar and one cinnamon stick
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- Grate the chocolate into this mix and cook until the chocolate has melted
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- Add a couple of drop of vanilla essence and the rum
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- Whisk up the mixture before straining into the glass
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- Garnish by floating some mini marshmallows on top and serve
4. Mimosa
There's not a more classic Christmas morning drink in my house than a Mimosa (or Bucks Fizz). You can't really get it wrong. Too much Prosecco - no problem. Too much orange juice? Just top up with some more Prosecco. The ratio here is not too relevant, so just pour and enjoy
Food Pairing Suggestion: Smoked salmon blinis. The light citrusy nature of a Mimosa complements the fresh and slightly salty flavors of smoked salmon, making it ideal for a Christmas brunch.
Ingredients
Method
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- Add orange juice to the bottom of a champagne flute before topping up with chilled Prosecco
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- Garnish with an orange peel twist and serve
5. Winter Whisky Sour
Another shake and take Christmas classic. You often can't go wrong with a sour, and make it Christmas themed and the festive period is alive. You've got yourself a winner. The ingredients here also lend themselves to allowing some sway in their balance. Easy-as to make a delicious-as.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Roast duck with orange glaze. The citrus notes in the whisky sour echo the orange flavors in a glazed duck, creating a balanced and festive flavor combination.
Ingredients
Method
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- Add the bourbon whisky, sugar syrup, orange juice and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake hard
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- Strain into a chilled glass
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- Garnish with a slice of orange peel and serve
6. Bitter orange & cardamom martini
Any cocktail that involves slowly heating generally lends itself to some element of relaxation on timing and balance. You can taste as your make, and refine as you see fit. This one is soo delicious and easy we couldn't leave it out. Let those smells infuse your kitchen!
Food Pairing Suggestion: Spiced orange cake. The orange and spice profile of the cocktail is enhanced by pairing it with a moist orange cake, providing a sweet yet complex match.
Ingredients
Method
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- Heat up the marmalade gently in a saucepan to make it runny
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- Add in the cardamom pods and crush to release their flavour
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- Once warmed for a couple of minutes take off the heat and leave to cool for 20 minutes
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- Once cooled, add the Cointreau and lemon juice to a mixing glass and add in the marmalade cardamom mixture, and stir to combine
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- Take a chilled martini glass and add a dollop of marmalade to the bottom, before pouring in the mixture
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- Serve with a cardamom pod floating on top to garnish
7. Hazelnut Hot Toddy
Another warming cocktail for those cold Christmas nights (or festive feels if you're in the southern hemisphere). You can leave this one on the stove simmering away, then help yourself as you need throughout the evening. Mmmm.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Sticky toffee pudding. The nutty, warm flavors of this hot toddy pair wonderfully with the rich, sweet caramel notes of sticky toffee pudding.
Ingredients
Method
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- In a medium-sized saucepan, whisk together the Frangelico, bourbon, water, brown sugar, and vanilla
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- Add the cinnamon sticks and cloves
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- Heat on medium for about 5 minutes, until hot and the brown sugar has dissolved, but do not bring to a boil
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- Pour into cups, making 4 small servings or 2 large
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- Garnish with additional cinnamon sticks and fresh herbs if desired
8. Frangipane Old Fashioned
Anything with Amaretto generally gets tasted quick in our offices. It's such a good and versatile ingredient, and its nutty notes in the air certainly help with the festive feel. This recipe also 'just works'. So dive on in.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Almond biscotti. The amaretto in the Old Fashioned echoes the almond flavors in the biscotti, making it a perfect match for a sweet, festive treat.
Ingredients
Method
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- Fill a rocks glass with ice, then add the bourbon, amaretto, maple syrup, and bitters
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- Stir for 30-40 seconds and top with extra ice as desired
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- Garnish with a strip of orange zest and toasted marshmallow
9. Christmas Punch
With a name so simple as this, you would hope the recipe and making is as simple as you hoped. And you wouldn't be wrong. Add, stir, taste, serve. Simple, delicious, intuitive naming! Winner.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Mini sausage rolls with cranberry dipping sauce. The fruitiness of the punch pairs well with savory sausage rolls, especially when accompanied by a tangy cranberry dip.
Ingredients
Method
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- Add all the ingredients into a suitably large festive bowl, adding the soda water last, before giving it a quick stir
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- Garnish with cranberries and lemon slices, and serve in lowball glasses filled with ice
10. Glühwein
Who doesn't like a Glühwein over the Christmas period. Either via a German Market in your local town or city, or at home as you tweak to your own taste. It's a great use for a red wine, which we always seem to have open lying around. Glug glug.
Food Pairing Suggestion: German stollen or fruitcake. This mulled wine's warming spices pair beautifully with a dense, fruity cake full of dried fruits and nuts, enhancing the holiday atmosphere.
Ingredients
Method
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- Pour the red wine into a large pot and begin heating over low heat (don't boil)
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- Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, sugar, and star anise
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- Heat thoroughly, then add the oranges slices and the chopped whole lemon
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- Simmer the mixture about 45 minutes over low heat, again making sure not to boil
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- Strain into prewarmed glasses or mugs
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- Garnish with orange slices or a cinnamon stick and serve hot
11. Chocolate Orange
Chocolate. Orange. We often wonder if there is a better combination of 2 flavours out there in the world. And this one is so simple to make, yet offers such a delicious sip it's a no brainer for this list. You need to try this one.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Dark chocolate truffles. The chocolate and orange flavors in the cocktail are heightened with decadent chocolate truffles for a rich, indulgent combination.
Ingredients
Method
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- First rim a cocktail glass with sugar syrup then dab onto some grated dark chocolate
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- Add the vodka, crème de cacao, orange juice and orange syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well before straining into the rimmed cocktail glass and serving
12. Christmas snowball
If you can find some Babycham then there's no better use than the Christmas Snowball. Honestly, we prefer it to drinking Babycham straight. Finesse with some arty rim decoration if needed, but the recipe is simple and easy.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Prawn cocktail. The slight creaminess of the Snowball pairs well with the fresh, zesty flavors of a classic prawn cocktail, making it a perfect Christmas appetizer pairing.
Ingredients
Method
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- Moisten the rim the highball glass with water and then roll in sugar
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- Into a cocktail shaker with ice, add the ginger syrup with advocaat and shake for 10-15 seconds
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- Strain into the ice-filled highball glass and top up with the Babycham before serving
13. Hot Buttered Rum
The Hot Buttered Rum has been around for as long as we can remember, and although a host of hot Christmas themed cocktails now find their way onto menus around the world, we still hark back to the easy, rich, smooth, warming buttered rum take. We are sure to make one or two of these over the festive period.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Apple pie with cinnamon. The rich, buttery flavor of the Hot Buttered Rum pairs beautifully with a warm slice of apple pie spiced with cinnamon.
Ingredients
Method
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- Add the honey to the bottom of a Irish coffee glass
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- Add the other ingredients then top up with boiling water
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- Give it a good stir to combine, garnish with a cinnamon stick and a lemon wheel studded with cloves, then serve
14. Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Sprtiz has seen a resurgence in recent years, finding its way onto large chain cocktail menus the world over. For a reason - its quick and easy to make, yet offers a delicious twist on some simple ingredients. Find yourself a bottle of Aperol and get mixing.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Prosciutto-wrapped melon. The light, citrusy flavors of the Aperol Spritz are complemented by the salty sweetness of prosciutto-wrapped melon, adding a festive Italian twist to any gathering.
Ingredients
Method
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- In a highball glass with ice add the Prosecco, then the dash of soda water, then top with the Aperol before serving
15. Nutcracker
For our final Easy Cocktail Recipe we give you the Nutcracker. Simple in its making (add, shake, strain) with some room for forgiveness in the balance due to the milk. It's a Christmas winner for us, and one that is slowly being asked for more and more.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Pecan pie. The nutty Frangelico and creamy milk base of the Nutcracker make it an ideal match for the sweetness of a pecan pie, highlighting the nutty elements of both.
Ingredients
Method
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- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add vanilla vodka, Frangelico, and almond milk
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- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds, then strain into a glass
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- Top with whipped cream and garnish with nutmeg or a cinnamon stick, if desired
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The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub
The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.
Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.
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