Top 17 Christmas Vodka Cocktails

The Mistletoe Kiss Cocktail is a great low-maintenance Christmas cocktail. All it takes is some vodka, club soda, and rosemary simple syrup. The rosemary syrup is easy to make, and this cocktail is just sweet enough to balance the sharpness of the vodka. If you’re planning a casual holiday party, you can make this cocktail in bulk and serve it in a punch bowl.

A Pumpkin Spice White Russian is a fusion of cozy autumn flavors that elevate your cocktail game, but the pumpkin and spices also translate well into vodka Christmas cocktails. This concoction blends vodka with the rich, velvety notes of Kahlúa or coffee liqueur. Heavy cream brings a luscious texture, harmonizing with the warmth of pumpkin puree and the inviting sweetness of pumpkin syrup or a touch of simple syrup. The ensemble is sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice, delivering a symphony of seasonal tastes. For added flair, top it off with whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon sugar, or crushed graham crackers. 

Vodka and cranberry juice is already a popular drink, and this elevated version is a nice treat for a holiday celebration. To make this cocktail extra special, you can create fresh, homemade cranberry orange syrup by heating cranberry juice and orange juice with sugar. For a fancier presentation, garnish the Cranberry Fizz with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. It's one of our favorite vodka Christmas cocktails.

A Cranberry Moscow Mule looks adorable and tastes delicious. This cocktail takes the usual vodka and ginger beer and adds cranberry juice and orange juice. The garnishes take this cocktail to the next level, topping the drink with cranberries, orange peels, and rosemary sprigs. Don’t forget to serve these holiday drinks in a copper mug for the classic Moscow mule look.

Rudolph’s Tipsy Punch is the perfect Christmas cocktail for a family holiday party. This beverage is sweet and refreshing and is made with vodka, ginger ale, and a few different fruit juices. You can make this cocktail in a big batch and put some ingredients aside for a nonalcoholic version.

A Cranberry St. Germain Cocktail is a sophisticated mixed drink with a slightly floral flavor profile. In addition to vodka and cranberry juice, the cocktail uses elderflower liqueur, creating a distinctive aromatic taste. For a small party, you can take the time to put sugar and lime zest on the rims of the glasses. 

The Spicy Pomegranate Moscow Mule has a little bit of something for everyone: sweetness from the pomegranate juice, bubbles from the ginger beer, and spice from jalepeños. The spice and alcohol will warm you up, while the pomegranate and fresh mint will evoke your favorite seasonal flavors. This cocktail isn’t too hard to make, so this is a nice option for impressing your friends at a Christmas dinner party. 

Holly Jolly Citrus Cocktails are a nice balance between a fruity drink and an aromatic drink. This vodka-based cocktail combines winter citrus flavors with elderflower liqueur for a pleasant, festive result. Furthermore, the addition of ginger beer makes this cocktail slightly reminiscent of a Moscow mule. 

Many themed vodka Christmas cocktails can feel a little lowbrow, but the Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail is playful and fancy. The beverage has honey for sweetness and jalepeños for spice. The bitterness from the grapefruit juice and lime juice helps to blend the spicy and sweet flavors, creating a complex and harmonious cocktail. 

The Merry Mint with Peppermint Schnapps tastes like a boozy peppermint milkshake. Combine cream with vodka and peppermint schnapps for an indulgent dessert cocktail, plus the crushed peppermint on the rim of the glass makes for some social media-worthy pictures. If you aren’t a fan of eggnog, this drink is a great alternative to serve at a party. 

Folks who enjoy espresso martinis and chocolate martinis will have a lot of fun with a Gingerbread Martini. The mix of Kahlua, cream, and gingerbread syrup creates a spiced, decadent martini that tastes like Christmas. If you don’t want to use dairy cream, you can swap it out for your favorite non-dairy cream alternative in these Christmas cocktails.

If you have the time, consider making Peppermint White Russians. The presentation takes some effort, but the gorgeous, festive results are worth it, and peppermint is one of the best flavors to add to your Christmas cocktails. A small amount of peppermint extract is all you need for that classic candy cane flavor, while the melted chocolate and candy will bring plenty of holiday cheer to your guests. Garnish your glass with chocolate syrup and crushed candy canes for an extra decadent drink!

If you’re looking for a Christmas cocktail that closely resembles Santa’s favorite cookie, look no further than this Sugar Cookie White Russian recipe. Made with coffee liqueur, vodka, milk, and vanilla extract and served ice cold, this delicious holiday drink packs holiday sweetness. Top with whipped cream and sugar cookie crumbles, and this dessert-like cocktail will have your guests asking for seconds.

What list of Christmas vodka cocktails would be complete if we didn’t end it with a partridge in a pear tree? This sparkling cocktail is light and simple enough to whip up in minutes with only four ingredients: pear vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne. Top this bubbly, refreshing drink with rosemary, and you have a sophisticated cocktail for brunch and holiday entertaining.

The Candy Cane Martini is a winter wonder in a glass, blending peppermint vodka, vanilla vodka (or whipped vodka for a twist), peppermint schnapps, and a dash of chocolatey creme de cocoa. The peppermint vodka brings that cool, refreshing essence, while the vanilla vodka adds a sweet, aromatic note. The peppermint schnapps enhances the minty kick, perfectly balanced by the subtle chocolate hint from the creme de cocoa. Serve this festive cocktail recipe in a martini glass rimmed with crushed candy canes to really impress your guests.

This Apple Cider Moscow Mule is a crisp, autumnal concoction blending the tangy sweetness of apple cider with the kick of vodka, zested up by a splash of lime juice and topped with the invigorating fizz of ginger beer. The cider’s apple essence dances alongside the vodka's smooth warmth, while the lime adds a zesty brightness. Sipping it in copper mugs over ice brings out the refreshing, almost spicy notes of the ginger beer. It's a versatile choice—some prefer it as a festive treat during fall and winter gatherings, while others savor it year-round for its unique blend of flavors.

Old Saint Nick’s Chocolate Espresso Martini is a decadent concoction merging rich flavors and festive vibes. This velvety drink is made with vodka, Kahlúa, and espresso, orchestrating a bold yet smooth base. Dive deeper into its layers with chocolate and dark chocolate liquors, each adding a luxurious depth, while a hint of vanilla extract lends a subtle sweetness. Served with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, it's a lavish treat. Garnished with shaved chocolate and star anise for that extra flair, this martini is an opulent choice, perfect for cozy evenings and merry gatherings, offering a sip of holiday cheer with every taste.