Top 13 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.

Cranberry vodka 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 and orange juice with sugar. For a fancier presentation, garnish the Cranberry Fizz with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. 

A Cranberry Moscow Mule looks adorable and tastes delicious. This cocktail takes the usual vodka and ginger beer and adds cranberry 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 it 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, 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 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 and lime 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. 

If you have the time, consider making Peppermint White Russians. The presentation takes some effort, but the gorgeous, festive results are worth it. 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. 

If you’re looking for a 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.