Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, spending the holidays with family, or just treating yourself to an after-dinner nightcap, you can rest assured that there's a winter cocktail option, that's not just local, but global, to enjoy as the chilly months keep us inside a little more often.
Join us as we take you through the top 5 cocktails in the UK and the most requested across Europe, before rounding out our tour with some faves from around the world. Whether you’re celebrating or relaxing this winter, it’s all about making the most of the moment. So alongside the world's favourite cocktails, you'll find NIO Cocktails premixed selections as your convenient alternative - allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your loved ones.
Let’s get started!
UK
First, here are some fun facts on how many will be celebrating this holiday season:
- 5.8 million Brits will choose to toast the new year with a cocktail, instead of champagne or prosecco
- 2.9 million Brits will celebrate Christmas with a cocktail, and the most popular choice of drink for an occasion is a Daiquiri
Espresso Martini
The full-flavoured and sophisticated Espresso Martini is one of the most loved coffee liqueur cocktails. With a monthly average search volume of 135,000 in the winter months, Espresso Martini joins Eggnog as the UK's most searched-for winter cocktail. A blend of coffee and vodka, this simple cocktail offers a luscious mouthfeel, and as the ultimate party drink, it’s a treat during winter.
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
½ oz coffee liqueur
1 oz espresso, freshly brewed (or cold brew concentrate)
Coffee beans as a garnish
If you’re keen to enjoy your drink quickly and easily at home, try our premixed Espresso Martini cocktail.
Eggnog
Eggnog is also historically known as a milk punch or an egg milk punch when alcoholic beverages are added. A rich, chilled, sweetened, dairy-based beverage, Eggnog is traditionally served as a punch at parties, however, heat it up and discover the tastiest of warm winter cocktails.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs, separated
- 2 oz sugar, divided
- 12 oz whole milk
- 4 oz heavy cream
- 4 oz rum, bourbon or brandy
- Garnish: grated nutmeg
Negroni
Searched for over 90,500 times each month in the winter, the popular Negroni is vibrant red in colour. This drink is refreshingly vibrant red in colour with a bitterness that will evoke the taste of summer even on a winter night and is sure to be popular in any selection of winter gin cocktails.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet red vermouth
- 1 oz gin
- Orange peel as garnish
Taste this Italian delight even faster with our premixed Negroni cocktail or our sweetly spiced Christmas variation.
Mulled Wine
A key sign the festive season is in full swing, Mulled Wine is one of the UK’s best-loved warm winter cocktails.
Ingredients:
- 750ml bottle red wine
- 1 large cinnamon stick, or 2 small ones
- 2 star anise
- 4 cloves
- 2 strips lemon zest, pared using a vegetable peeler
- 4 tbsp caster sugar
Mimosa
The Mimosa is a simple yet delicious combination of fizz and orange juice. A brunch staple, our latest survey found that 43% of Brits prefer a Mmimosa above all other cocktails. Get out those champagne flutes and enjoy a cosy winter gathering in style.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle champagne or prosecco, chilled
- 1l freshly squeezed orange juice, chilled
Europe
Cosmopolitan
Known as the trendiest of cocktails, it’s no surprise the Cosmopolitan is popular in Europe, racking up 74,000 monthly searches in the UK alone. Smooth and flavourful, it’s one of the classiest winter cocktails. This drink also landed in the top 5 for Italy and Germany.
Ingredients:
- 45ml lemon vodka
- 15ml triple sec
- 30ml cranberry juice
- 10ml lime juice
- Ice
- Orange zest, or a lime wedge on the rim of the glass as garnish
For a tangy-sweet version you can sip on in seconds, try our premixed Cosmopolitan instead.
Negroni Variations
We’ve already covered the Negroni as part of the most popular winter cocktails in the UK, but as it’s also highly requested across Europe, we’ve got a few variations for you to discover.
Negroni Sbagliato
The favoured drink of a certain House of The Dragon star, this Negroni variation uses sparkling wine instead of gin. This makes it perfect to toast the New Year! Stay on trend and try it out this season.
Premixed Boulevardier
A sophisticated take on the classic bitter-sweet Negroni, our premium Boulevardier combines the rich warmth of Bulleit Bourbon with Cocchi Storico Vermouth, Campari and Angostura Aromatic Bitters.
Moscow Mule
Topping the charts in Germany and a top 2 selection in Italy and the USA, the Moscow Mule is a winter cocktail that can be tasted as an Italian apres ski drink or even as part of german cocktails for Oktoberfest. With its gingery aroma, this smooth yet fiery treat is perfect for those who love winter cocktails with a kick.
Ingredients:
- 50ml vodka
- crushed ice
- 150-200ml ginger beer
- few dashes of ginger bitters
- Sprig or mint or wedge of lime as garnish
Global Winter Cocktail Favourites
USA
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a timeless tipple perfect for sipping while getting warm by the fire.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Bourbon or Rye whiskey
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 sugar cube
- A few dashes of water
Our premixed Old Fashioned cocktail is industry recommended and contains a dash of orange bitters designed to liven up your palette. If you’re more of a rum drinker, swap the whiskey for a traditional Caribbean rum, like Mount Gay.
Spain & Mexico
Margarita
The Margarita is a true classic cocktail whose popularity continues to climb with global searches peaking at over 1.2 million per month, a 22% rise year-on-year. Although it’s definitely popular in the summer, its refreshingly sour citrus taste brings a hint of spice that’s enjoyable in colder seasons.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz tequila
- 2 oz Cointreau
- 1 1/2 oz fresh juice from 2 limes
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt, for glass rims
- 1 lime wedge, plus 2 lime wheels for garnish
Enjoy your drink even faster with our premixed Margarita, or try our refreshing Tommy’s Margarita.
Finland and Sweden
Irish Coffee
Indulge dinner guests with a classic Irish coffee at the end of a dinner party. Made with Irish whiskey, cream, and coffee, it's a decadent finale to a meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp double cream
- 5 oz freshly brewed black coffee
- 2 oz Irish whiskey
- ½ - 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
There you have our look at the top winter cocktails around the world. Enjoy this holiday season and let NIO Cocktails help you come out from behind the cocktail shaker and never miss a moment with those who matter. For even more winter cocktails you can simply pour and mix, try our Christmas cocktail box.