The holiday season is in full swing, and for many of us, that means spending plenty of quality time with our loved ones. The season’s frequent parties also provide the perfect opportunity for cocktail lovers to indulge in their favourite festive tipples such as eggnog and spiked cider. To help in this endeavour, we’ve curated a list of the best Christmas spiced cocktails to enjoy this winter.
And because we believe enjoying cocktails with friends shouldn’t have to mean being stuck in the kitchen, we’ve included NIO Cocktails premixed suggestions so you can be in the moment while entertaining at home. NIO Cocktails is not just a great way to enjoy top mixology at home. It’s a flatpack which makes it easy to have a sleek home bar in the most unexpected places. From your kitchen to your living room, it becomes a talking point at every gathering.
Discover our top 10 cocktails with a Christmas twist, ahead.
1. Christmas Margarita
A delicious addition to festive gatherings large and small, this classic cocktail boasts a splash of cranberry juice for a festive twist. Try it out and discover why our Christmas Margarita is one of our favourite Christmas flavoured drinks.
Ingredients:
- 90ml cranberry juice
- 30ml lime juice
- 30ml triple sec or orange liqueur
- 60ml tequila
- Lime slice, orange slice, cranberries, rosemary for garnish
Want to taste a hint of Christmas even faster? Our premixed Christmas Margarita brings winter warmth to a quintessential cocktail with its notes of spiced ginger and crisp apple.
2. Spiced Sidecar
Update your classic sidecar by swapping regular cognac for a winter-spiced version. You can also use bourbon if you prefer it to cognac—either way, this warm cocktail is the perfect remedy for cold, dreary weather.
Ingredients:
- 50ml spiced cognac (recipe below)
- 25ml Cointreau
- 25ml lemon juice, plus a lemon wedge for the glass
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
For Spiced Cognac:
- 200ml cognac
- 4 cardamom pods (bruised by cracking open on a cutting board)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 2 small slices ginger
3. Winter Sidecar
Another Sidecar variation, this time with a subtle tropical twist. Warm cinnamon paired with sweet clementine makes for one of the more memorable tropical Christmas drinks.
Ingredients:
- 15ml clementine juice
- 50ml cognac
- 30ml Martini Bianco
- Ground cinnamon to taste
Want a version you can sip in seconds? Try our premixed Winter Sidecar.
4. Mulled Old Fashioned
Take the signature warmth of an Old Fashioned and make it even warmer by pairing it with mulled wine. This updated yet traditional spicy Christmas drink is ideal for sipping by the fire after dinner — or anytime the mood strikes.
Ingredients:
Mulled Syrup (makes 450ml):
- 350ml red wine
- 300g granulated sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange, halved
- 1 tsp cloves
- ½ tsp whole black peppercorns
- 2 star anise
- A few nutmeg gratings
Old Fashioned:
- 45ml bourbon whiskey
- 15ml mulled syrup
- 2-3 drops chocolate bitters
- A strip of lemon peel
5. Mistletoe Manhattan
Cranberries put a fun (and delicious) holiday spin on the classic Manhattan. Sipping it under the mistletoe is optional — savouring it with loved ones, however, is a must.
Ingredients:
- 60ml whiskey
- 15ml maraschino cherry juice
- 15ml cranberry juice
- 15ml sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes angostura bitters
- Maraschino cherries, sugared cranberries and rosemary for garnish
Chocolate is another flavour we love to indulge in at Christmas time. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Christmas in Manhattan, a twist on the classic Manhattan that contains silky crème de cacao liqueur for a hint of chocolatey warmth.
6. Winter Daiquiri
A Daiquiri with spice is extra nice. Darker spirits and bitters create complex flavours designed for slower sipping. Don’t be surprised if this quickly becomes one of your favourite spiced rum Christmas cocktails.
Ingredients:
- 50ml dark spiced rum
- 25ml clementine juice
- 5ml maple syrup
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
Fancy adding even more tropical flavour to your drink? Try our premixed Snow Daiquiri, which pairs sweet pineapple with spicy ginger for an added kick. Or, blend your drink with ice to create festive frozen Christmas cocktails that your guests will love.
7. Gingerbread Espresso Martini
This velvety-smooth Gingerbread Espresso Martini is one of the more savoury Christmas cocktails you’ll find this season. It’s the ideal pick-me-up for chilly days — or as a cheeky, alcoholic alternative to pudding.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Ketel One vodka
- 25ml espresso coffee, chilled
- 15ml gingerbread syrup
- 3 coffee beans for garnish
8. Christmas Mocktail
Get merry with a mocktail by blending winter fruits with warm cinnamon spice. This non-alcoholic option is an ideal offering for guests who may be driving. It’s also a useful way to avoid a sore head the next morning!
Ingredients:
- 2 large wedges oranges
- 1 tsp pomegranate seeds
- 1 sprig rosemary
- Soda water
- 1 stick cinnamon to serve
9. Apple Cider Rum Punch
If you’re hosting a dinner party or having a few friends round, this spicy Christmas cocktail is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 3 litres apple cider
- 350ml Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
- 60ml lemon juice
- 60ml pomegranate juice
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 whole allspice berries
- Dash of salt
Serve guests at Christmas or New Year's parties even faster with our Apple Rum Punch Cocktail. A delicious combination of apple cider Calvados, dark rum, red vermouth and sour apple liqueur, this drink will become your ultimate winter cocktail sour.
10. Spiced Negroni
A list of Christmas spiced cocktails isn’t complete without the Spiced Negroni. This drink blends a summertime classic with distinct festive flavours, giving you the best of both seasons all in one satisfying sip.
Ingredients:
- 30ml gin
- 30ml red vermouth
- 30ml Campari
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise
- 2 allspice berries
- Orange peel for garnish
The addition of Pimento Dram in our premixed Spiced Negroni entices with spicy hints of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
For more festive favourites to enjoy all season long, take a look at our Christmas cocktail gift box. Looking for stocking fillers for the cocktail lover in your life? Give them 12 days of discovery with our 12-day Advent Cocktail Box.