27 Whiskey Christmas Cocktails to Drink

If you love the holidays, you’ve indulged in some tasty eggnog. Classic eggnog can be made with rum or whiskey; our recipe calls for both to pair with sweet and creamy eggnog. You can buy pre-made eggnog, but it's easy to make from scratch and is sure to impress your holiday guests!

Irish Coffee is one of the most famous coffee-based cocktails in the world. It’s perfect for sipping late on a cold winter night. Irish coffee calls for hot coffee mixed with Irish whiskey and sweet brown sugar, topped with cream. You can use the back of a spoon to pour the cream over the top to create a floating layer. The floating layer allows for the flavors to blend gradually.

Have you been naughty or nice this year? No matter the answer, you can enjoy this fruity cocktail made with Rye Whiskey. You get the sweet fruity taste from the orange juice, cranberry juice, and ginger syrup, balanced by the spicy rye whiskey. Club soda adds a little fizz to balance the juice flavors.

This Cranberry Orange Whiskey Punch is a tart and tangy holiday cocktail, perfect for any sized holiday gathering. This Christmas whiskey cocktail is made with cranberry juice, orange juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup, spiked with whiskey and brandy. The result is light and fruity but still fits in the holiday season perfectly.

Nothing is better than sweet, spicy, and tart blended in one cocktail. This Caramel Apple Hot Toddy combines hot apple cider, cinnamon whiskey, and caramel to give you all different flavors and tastes. You can rim the glass with caramel syrup or honey for a sweet taste when you sip this cocktail.

This cocktail is made with Bourbon Whiskey because it’s sweet and has vanilla, oak, and caramel flavors. All you need to do is add vanilla extract and cinnamon to the standard old fashioned recipe, and you’re all set. You get the sweet spice taste from the cinnamon and additional sweet flavors from the vanilla extract. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and an orange slice.

This Honey Winter Bourbon Cocktail with Honey Sage Syrup takes a while because you need to boil water and honey to make the syrup. However, the sweet honey taste is worth it in the end, and you can prep the syrup in advance. Pour Bourbon over the cooled syrup and twist an orange peel over the glass.

This Maple Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail combines tartness and sweetness with every sip. The star of this beverage is the maple cranberry syrup. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, maple cranberry syrup, bourbon, and cranberry juice. For additional sweetness, add as much syrup as you want. Pour into a glass and top off this drink with a splash of club soda for fizz. Garnish with rosemary and cranberries for a classic Christmas look.

The Mrs. Claus Cranberry Whiskey Cocktail is made with cinnamon, cranberry juice, whiskey, and rosemary simple syrup. This cocktail is sweet, tart, and spicy due to the unique blend of flavors. It’s also bright red, so you can serve festive looking Christmas cocktails.

This Christmas Old Fashioned is different from the Vanilla Cinnamon Old Fashioned. It’s full of sweetness due to cranberry juice and pine syrup. However, it’s not old fashioned without whiskey. You can use your whiskey of choice - if you like a sweeter drink, choose bourbon, or try rye whiskey for a spicier flavor. Try this take on the classic cocktail to add some seasonal flavors to your glass.

All you need for the Jingle Bell Smash is bourbon, cranberry juice, rosemary simple syrup, and lemon juice. You can substitute the simple syrup for maple syrup if you want an earthier flavor added, but you can't go wrong either way.

This Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour is a twist on the classic whiskey sour, sweetened with maple syrup instead of simple syrup. With a pinch of ground cinnamon, it’s the perfect spice flavor for cold winter nights. Aside from the maple syrup and cinnamon, you only need bourbon and fresh lemon juice for a pinch of sour taste.

The Cran-Raspberry Whiskey Cocktail is the perfect drink to serve at a party or any large gathering this holiday season. Mix whiskey, ginger ale, and cranberry simple syrup into a large punch bowl. Then, add frozen cranberries and raspberries to the bowl as a garnish. It is a stunning bright red color, perfect for the holidays, and the frozen berries will keep the drink cold without diluting it.

The Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Sour balances tart notes from orange zest and whiskey with cranberry and lemon juice. This Christmas whiskey cocktail has a frothy topping to set the mood for any party thanks to shaken egg whites. This drink will take you from the fall through the new year.

This Aperol Pear Cider Spritz includes these three simple ingredients: aperol, hard pear cider, and apple juice. You may know Aperol as a summertime drink, but it’s great for drinks all year round. Garnish with pear slices to enhance the fruity flavors.

This Christmas Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail is so simple to make you’ll be bringing it to every party this season. It’s sweet due to the honey-cranberry syrup and tart thanks to grapefruit juice. The bourbon gives you the warm feeling you want during those cold winter nights. Add ginger beer before serving for a fizzy finish to these easy Christmas cocktails.

The Holiday Whiskey Fizz will get the party started this holiday season. But no matter how much fizz is in this drink, you’ll always taste the sweet-tasting cranberry syrup. Mix your favorite whiskey with fresh lime juice and cranberry-flavored club soda. Garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary for a beautiful holiday finish.

Bourbon Milk Punch is the perfect substitute for eggnog due to its additional flavors, like vanilla extract and the sweetener of your choice. Combine bourbon, milk, vanilla extract, and sweetener in a jug and stir until combined. Also, you can blend these ingredients with ice for a thicker milkshake-like cocktail. Don't forget the cinnamon sticks for garnish!

This Winter Old Fashioned adds a cozy vibe to a classic cocktail. It’s smooth with earthy tones that’ll make you enjoy every sip. Pour bourbon whiskey and the maple brown sugar simple syrup into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist and bitters for the classic old fashioned taste.

The pine simple syrup in this cocktail pairs well with the caramel flavors found in bourbon whiskey, and it makes it a wintry take on the classic whiskey cocktail. Made with pine simple syrup, bitters, and bourbon, this cocktail takes only a few minutes to make, and it’ll keep you warm this Christmas.

This Cranberry Orange Whiskey Cocktail is the perfect fall drink to take you through the holiday season. But, of course, it also works as a Christmas whiskey cocktail. Alongside whiskey, you need cranberry juice, orange juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup for this recipe. Add triple Sec to this recipe for sweetness that pairs well with orange juice. Top with ginger beer for a slight fizz.

The Mistletoe Manhattan is a cozy blend full of holiday spirit. Rye whiskey takes the lead, harmonizing with sweet vermouth’s subtle herbal notes. Maraschino cherry and cranberry juices dance in, adding a playful, fruity twirl, while the angostura bitters sprinkle in a touch of aromatic depth. Garnished with maraschino cherries, sugared cranberries, and a fragrant sprig of rosemary, it’s a festive treat for the senses. 

Transport yourself to a tropical winter wonderland with this White Christmas Coconut Whiskey Cocktail. It's a delightful fusion of smooth coconut milk, the citrusy kick of Cointreau, and the warmth of bourbon whiskey. The creamy coconut intertwines with the zesty orange notes, a perfect harmony balanced by the whiskey. Garnished with fresh mint and vibrant pomegranate seeds, each sip is a refreshing blend of flavors—creamy, citrusy, and subtly sweet. Enjoy it on a cozy evening by the fire or share its festive charm at holiday gatherings. This cocktail is an excellent choice for those seeking a unique, flavorful twist on classic winter drinks.

This Gingerbread Whiskey Sour is a harmonious blend of bourbon, zesty lime juice, velvety gingerbread simple syrup, and a frothy egg white after a good shake in a cocktail shaker. The bourbon’s warmth intertwines seamlessly with the tangy lime, creating a spirited base. The gingerbread syrup infuses a cozy, spiced sweetness, reminiscent of holiday cheer. Sipping this cocktail is like a symphony of flavors—first, the boldness of bourbon, followed by the zing of lime, and finally, the comforting embrace of gingerbread. 

Embrace the Winter Sazerac Sour Whiskey Cocktail, an artisanal symphony of flavors. Dive into the enchanting fusion of nutmeg-infused rye whisky and VSOP Cognac, crafting a warm and robust base. The dance of absinthe introduces a subtle, mysterious note, while the rich 2:1 sugar syrup imparts a sweet harmony. Aromatic bitters add depth, complemented by the bold strokes of Peychaud's bitters. Sip slowly to unravel the layers; each taste unveils a nuanced blend of spice, sweetness, and a whisper of anise. 

The Christmas Kentucky Buck Cocktail is a delightful mix of bourbon, lemon juice, and the sweet tang of cranberry. Its flavor journey starts with the smooth bourbon setting the tone, followed by a bright burst of lemon that dances on the palate. The cranberry juice adds a festive touch, balancing the drink with its sweet-tart essence. Served over ice and topped with club soda, it gets that fizzy lift. Best savored leisurely, allowing the flavors to mingle, it's perfect for cozy gatherings or as a refreshing sip during festive celebrations. Garnished with fresh cranberries, it's a seasonal treat that's both easygoing and inviting.

Crafted with real maple syrup, lemon juice, and the warmth of bourbon, the Maple Whiskey Sour is a symphony of flavors. The touch of angostura bitters adds depth, while the egg white gives it a silky texture. Served over ice, it’s a balance of sweetness and tartness, a perfect harmony of flavors. Enjoy it slowly to savor the layers – the initial citrus burst, followed by the smooth maple sweetness, and the lingering warmth of bourbon. It's a delightful choice for those seeking a sophisticated yet approachable cocktail.