6 Christmas Cocktails to Drink Around the Tree

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make purchases, I may receive a small commission. I only link to products I genuinely trust and recommend. Thank you for your support.

My family always makes a point to set aside one evening of peace during the Christmas holiday. We turn off all the lights. Turn on the tree. And sit together in silence watching the tree sparkle, listening to Christmas hymns and enjoying each other’s company.

It sounds ridiculously corny, but it’s one of my favorite memories from childhood. I’m getting that warm cozy feeling just thinking about it now – that same kind of feeling you get when you’re wrapped in a sweater with a mug of hot chocolate.

Still got leftover pumpkin? Try a Pumpkin Spice Hot Buttered Rum to warm up!

Of course, in sunny Texas you don’t really need a sweater or a toasty drink to warm up. But the whole moment is immensely upgraded by sipping some spicy seasonal beverage. And spending time with family is always immensely upgraded by adding some alcohol to said beverage…

Looking for summer cocktails? Try this Summery Sweet Peach Sangria or this Mixed Berry Mojito with Cardamom!

So below are my family’s favorite Christmas Cocktails to sip when we’re all sitting around the tree and enjoying some holiday “spirits!”

Here’s an easy 15-minute mulled red wine recipe if you’re feeling really chilly!

And don’t forget to check out How to Decorate for Christmas on a Budget, so you can make the house even more festive while you’re sipping one of these!

Hot Toddy

Old-fashioned perhaps, but a classic. Most people have probably heard of a “hot toddy.” But most people would probably be hard-pressed to tell you exactly what it is. 

Which is a shame because it is delicious and simple. And it absolutely could not be easier to make.

All you need is honey, whisky, water, and lemon. That’s it! 

For one serving, boil the water. Pour it into a mug. Dump in the whisky, honey, and lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon round, a cinnamon stick, some cloves, anise stars, a bit of ginger, maybe some ground nutmeg (Choose your own spice-adventure.) And serve!

• 2 tablespoons Whisky or bourbon
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
• 1 cup boiling Water

Some people do add a tea bag to the water for extra flavor. Or extra flu-busting. But that choice is up to you. (I’d recommend sticking with an herbal tea rather than fruit.)

Hot Buttered Rum

Hot buttered rum is so simple and yet so delicious. Even the name sounds like something you need during a blizzard. Traditional hot buttered rum requires a spiced butter batter, rum and water. That’s it! You could literally go make it right now. And you should.

• 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter, softened (more if you want it richer)
• 1-2 teaspoons Brown Sugar
• A pinch of ground Cinnamon
• A pinch of ground Nutmeg
• A pinch of ground Allspice
• A pinch of ground Cloves
• ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 tablespoons Spiced Rum
• 1 cup Hot Water

Just mix up the butter and spices in the bottom of a mug. Add your rum. And then pour in the hot water (hot, not boiling!) and stir until everything is combined.

There are all sorts of variations. Many recipes also call for milk, cream, or vanilla ice cream. Obviously this adds a creamier texture. So I hold off on the dairy until I’m serving it for dessert.

And remember, if you’ve still got leftover pumpkin, make it a Pumpkin Spice Hot Buttered Rum!

Eggnog

Probably my father’s absolute favorite winter cocktail. (And mine.) It’s been around for centuries. Even George Washington had his own recipe. But I know eggnog can be very divisive. There are those people who hate this creamy, rich, spicy concoction. And to them I say, “Bah, Humbug!” 

In all seriousness, if you don’t like eggnog, it might be because you’ve only had store-bought varieties. Store bought options tend to be sickeningly sweet and rich. Instead, try mixing your own!

• 6 Eggs, separated
• ½ cup Caster Sugar
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 2 cups Whole Milk
• 2.5 teaspoons Vanilla
• ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon Ground Cloves
• ½ cup Spiced Rum
• ½ cup Cognac
• ½ cup Bourbon

You simply separate the eggs. Beat the yolks with some sugar. Add in the milk, cream, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves and alcohol. Beat the egg whites separately with a little sugar. Fold the egg whites into the mixture. Then chill until serving time when you top it with a little nutmeg and cinnamon.

Experiment with different spice proportions until you find one you love. (I like it spicy if you can’t tell!)

Cranberry Margaritas

Basically a vodka cranberry, but with tequila and added sugar. It’s perfect for anyone spending Christmas in hot, balmy weather! Seasonal, but won’t heat you up.

Margaritas are part of the “sours” family, so the ingredients are pretty simple: alcohol, citrus, sweetener. But margaritas do get a little more complicated because you’re adding in some triple sec and cranberry juice. But not much!

• 6 tablespoons Cranberry Juice
• 3 tablespoons Tequila
• 1 tablespoon Triple Sec (or Cointreau)
• 2 tablespoons Lime Juice
• 1 tablespoon Orange Juice

You can rub the rim of your glass with leftover lime and dip them in salt, sugar and spices for an added flair! Serve on the rocks with some cranberries and lime slices for garnish!

(It also pairs wonderfully with this Mexican-inspired, fall-themed stuffed poblano pepper with butternut squash and shrimp!)

For a larger recipe try this one that serves 3 from Gimme Me Some Oven.

Naughty Hot Chocolate

You’re already going to be sipping mugs of hot chocolate during Christmas, aren’t you? Why not make them even warmer! There’s absolutely nothing to this recipe. Make your usual giant mug of hot cocoa. (You’re using milk and actual chocolate shavings, right?!) Then add in some bourbon or other spicy warm alcohol! You can choose to pop it all in a shaker and shake for a creamy drink. Or simply add in the bourbon and stir for more of a kick.

• 1-2 tablespoons Bourbon (Whisky, Rum, even Vodka)

There are other varieties that add Bailey’s. To me, this makes the drink too rich. Hot chocolate is already sweet and creamy. Especially if you do it right and make your hot cocoa with milk. Kahlúa, on the other hand, sounds better to me. Spiked Mocha-y Hot Chocolate…now that I can get behind! Peppermint Schnapps is the perfect choice for a Spiked Peppermint Hot Chocolate!

Love chocolate cocktails? Try this Mocha Martini…it’s a simple espresso martini with a twist!

White Russian

Sounds complicated. It isn’t. Three simple ingredients create this milk-shakey cocktail with endless possibility…starting with shaken or splashed! You can combine all the ingredients into a  shaker to mix first for a more thick and creamy version. Or you can splash the heavy cream in at the very end for a very pretty look.

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Kahlúa
• A splash Heavy Cream, to taste

If heavy cream is too rich for you, try half and half or a milk and cream mixture instead. You can even use nut milk if you want a non-dairy variety.

Because the ingredients list is so simple, there are about a million variations. Add a dash of peppermint schnapps and a candy cane garnish. Add cinnamon simple syrup and cinnamon sugar on the rim. Essentially, if it’s Christmassy and goes with coffee and cream…try it! And I am a firm believer in using garnishes to really drive the “holiday” point home. Try these candied cranberries and rosemary leaves for a “winter wonderland” theme!

Still feeling fall? Check out my 7 favorite fall cocktails instead! I guarantee you already have the ingredients in your kitchen to make one.

Some of these can be sized up for a crowd. Take a look at my big batch cocktail recipes too!

Planning to add some bubbly to your party? Try one of the 6 best affordable alternatives to champagne to say under budget.