Paul Kushner
I’ve mixed and served countless drinks over the years, and when the cold bites, nothing beats a handcrafted winter cocktail. I’m particularly fond of recipes that bring out the best seasonal flavors. Picture warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg mingling with rich spirits such as whiskey and brandy. These drinks aren’t just about taste; they wrap you in warmth, turning a chilly evening into a moment of cozy comfort. I really like a warm hot toddy or a spicy mulled wine the most. They’re simple yet profound, offering both warmth and a burst of flavor. If you’re looking to chase away the winter chill, explore our winter cocktail roundup. You’ll find something to love, guaranteed.
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1
Blueberry Winter Smash
The Blueberry Winter Smash is a refreshing cocktail that combines the sweet tartness of muddled blueberries with the floral elegance of elderflower liqueur. Topped with bubbly club soda and garnished with rosemary, it’s a perfect drink to enjoy during the colder months or holiday gatherings.
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2
Winter Berry Cocktail
The Winter Berry Cocktail is a sophisticated blend of tart and sweet flavors with a hint of herbal warmth. Rosemary-infused vodka pairs beautifully with pomegranate and cranberry juices, creating a seasonal drink that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.
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3
Winter’s Bitter Negroni
The Winter’s Bitter Negroni is a festive twist on the classic cocktail, blending tequila blanco, sweet vermouth, and Campari with a splash of cranberry juice for a seasonal touch. Its rich, bittersweet profile is perfect for cozy winter evenings, while the orange twist garnish adds a burst of citrusy warmth.
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4
Winter Pear Cocktail
Warm, fragrant, and elegantly smooth, the Winter Pear Cocktail is a perfect blend of seasonal flavors. With the sweetness of pear, the tartness of lemon, and the frothy texture of egg white, this gin-based cocktail is an ideal choice for cozy winter evenings.
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5
White Winter Margarita
The White Winter Margarita brings a seasonal twist to a classic favorite. With the crisp flavor of white cranberry juice, the warmth of rosemary simple syrup, and the bright zest of lime, this elegant cocktail is perfect for cozy holiday gatherings.
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6
Winter Vodka Sour
The Winter Vodka Sour is a luxurious and velvety cocktail that combines the tartness of cherry and lemon with the smoothness of vodka and egg white. Finished with a touch of bitters and a cherry garnish, this cocktail is a sophisticated choice for the colder months.
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7
Hot Toddy
The Hot Toddy is one of the classic winter cocktails, and with only a few ingredients it’s easy to make. The honey gives it a sweetness that blends perfectly with the lemon and whiskey. We usually drink it while it’s still piping hot, so it can warm you up as you enjoy its delicious flavors. The Hot Toddy is also a popular home remedy for colds and sore throats.
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8
Eggnog
Eggnog is perhaps the ultimate Christmas drink and a classic winter cocktail. Something about sipping eggnog brings feelings of warmth, happiness, and family. The classic eggnog drink typically contains whiskey, rum, and sherry. This is a difficult and time-consuming cocktail to make from scratch.
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9
Espresso Martini
Dinner is over, and you overate but you’re not ready to stop drinking. The espresso martini is the perfect pick-me-up. The classic winter cocktail with coffee liqueur and vodka has a fresh shot of espresso in it and as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. This is one of the more indulgent drinks and is easy to make.
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10
wowitsveggie.com
Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is one of the most popular winter cocktails and is a staple of Germany and Austria during the colder months. The cocktail consists of a dry red wine that simmers on a stovetop with fruits and spices. It is easy to make, but prepare to spend about a half hour. Mulled wine will warm you up and make you feel festive.
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11
Hot Buttered Rum
Holiday and winter cocktails often have rum and baking spices that give them their festive feel. Hot buttered rum takes that concept and simplifies it – the drink is just rum, hot water, butter, and spices. Easy to make and even easier to drink, this winter cocktail with a creamy mouthfeel is the perfect after-dinner drink.
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12
White Russian
The White Russian might be the perfect winter cocktail because of its simplicity and elegance. With just three ingredients – vodka, Kahlua, and heavy cream – you can throw one of these together in minutes. This is a great winter cocktail to make for guests at dinner parties because it doesn’t require a lot of time or effort – and it’s downright delicious.
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13
lulus.com
White Christmas Mojito
You might think of mojitos as a warm-weather drink for a tropical location, but this spin on the classic recipes creates a memorable winter cocktail that will be a hit at your holiday party. The White Christmas Mojito still uses rum, mint, and lime as its base, but this version features coconut milk and a pomegranate garnish to make it holiday-festive.
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14
www.housebeautiful.com
Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned
The vanilla chai Old Fashioned takes the classic bourbon cocktail and adds spiced vanilla chai. The spicy chai and bourbon give the drink a warming sensation, and the vanilla and syrup add a sweetness factor to balance it out. This elegant cocktail will take you about five minutes to make.
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15
burrataandbubbles.com
Winter Margarita
It may still have tequila and lime juice as its base, but the winter margarita is a winter cocktail so unique it probably should have a different name. For this festive drink, you’ll add coconut milk and rosemary simple syrup to give a winter flair. It only takes a few minutes to make.
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16
howsweeteats.com
Winter Aperol Spritz Cocktail
A spritz cocktail is typically a summer beverage, but this recipe gives it a winter twist. This cocktail has prosecco as its base with Aperol and cranberry juice. It is light and refreshing, so your guests may want to sip one of these to cleanse the palate after eating.
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17
alifewellconsumed.com
Winter Old Fashioned
The Winter Old Fashioned cocktail is similar to a classic Old Fashioned with a base of bourbon, bitters, and sugar. For this version, the drink uses brown sugar, maple syrup, and rosemary. This is an ideal after-dinner cocktail to sip by the fire after a holiday party.
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18
delish.com
Christmas Margarita
Who says you can only drink margaritas with Mexican food? This Christmas margarita recipe will have you in a yuletide mood and ready for the festivities. It has tequila and lime as the base, but this spruced-up cocktail gets some orange liqueur, rosemary simple syrup, and coconut milk to round out the flavor profile.
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19
vinepair.com
The Marshmallow Mule
It’s a marshmallow world in the winter, so why not cozy up by the fire with a marshmallow mule cocktail? This decadent drink with a vodka base includes a marshmallow and ginger syrup and a toasted marshmallow on top. This is a laborious cocktail that will take some time to perfect, but it is well worth the effort.
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20
halfbakedharvest.com
Holiday Pear Sangria
This holiday pear sangria is a perfect winter cocktail when you’re entertaining a large party. You can whip up a good-sized batch of it a day or two before and keep it refrigerated until your guests arrive. This recipe uses a white wine base with apple or pear brandy, with traditional sangria fruits mixed in.
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21
lulus.com
White Chocolate Snowflake Martini
The White Chocolate Snowflake Martini is a decadent treat that has white Godiva chocolate liqueur and vodka as the base. The creme de cacao and half-and-half give it even more creamy sweetness. This is a true dessert wine, and you can make it in just a few minutes.
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22
halfbakedharvest.com
Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail.
Not all winter cocktails have to be heavy and decadent. The Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail features vodka, St. Germain, and fresh-squeezed citrus juice. A little ginger beer and pomegranate give it a puckery taste. This is an easy-to-make cocktail that won’t fill you up.
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23
foodwithfeeling.com
Jingle Bell Smash
The Jingle Bell Smash is a holiday spin on the classic Whiskey Smash cocktail. It has a bourbon and cranberry juice base with rosemary simple syrup and lemon mixed in. This is a simple but delicious cocktail that you can enjoy at a holiday party or as an after-dinner drink.
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24
oursaltykitchen.com
Rosemary Bourbon Cocktail with Honey
Bourbon and honey are a perfect pairing any time of year. But the Bourbon Honey Cocktail takes it to a new level with homemade rosemary simple syrup. This winter cocktail hits all the right flavor notes with a combination of sweet and savory and only takes 10 minutes to make.
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25
sipsfromscripts.com
Frostbite
Frostbite is an electric-blue colored cocktail with blue curaçao, blanco tequila, crème de cacao and heavy cream. This decadent drink is creamy and sweet, and its unique color is a conversation starter. Frostbite only takes a few minutes to make and is a great dessert drink.
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26
halfbakedharvest.com
The North Pole Cocktail.
Nothing says Christmas like the home of Santa. The North Pole Cocktail has many of the classic Christmas tastes, including chocolate, peppermint, and gingerbread. With a base of vodka and Kahlua, it is a heavy, decadent drink that packs a punch. Make these for dessert!
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27
platingsandpairings.com
Cranberry Maple Bourbon Smash Cocktail
The Cranberry Maple Bourbon Smash Cocktail is an elegant winter cocktail with impressive tasting notes. This drink, with a bourbon and cranberry juice base, has a maple cranberry maple syrup that gives it a sweet, tart taste. It takes about 5 minutes to make and is enjoyable anytime.
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28
platingsandpairings.com
Winter Aperol Spritz
The Winter Aperol Spritz is a simple winter cocktail with Prosecco, Aperol, cranberry simple syrup, and soda water. It’s a light, tart, and refreshing holiday cocktail. Get started on the simple syrup ahead of time because this drink takes almost an hour to make.
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29
halfbakedharvest.com
Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail
Get into the Christmas spirit with the Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail. This winter cocktail has a vodka base with lime juice, grapefruit juice, ginger beer, and spicy jalapeños. With the sugar-rimmed glass and mint leaf garnish, it is a true holiday treat.
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30
halfbakedharvest.com
Cranberry Bourbon Sour Punch
The Cranberry Bourbon Sour Punch is a classic holiday cocktail that you can make ahead of time and in large quantities for entertaining guests. The drink is easy to make and features a bourbon base with homemade cranberry-orange syrup, warming bourbon, citrus, and rosemary.
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31
inspiredbycharm.com
Spiced Pear Gin Cocktail
So many winter cocktails are heavy and creamy. It’s nice to have a light and refreshing drink like the Spiced Pear Gin Cocktail. This drink has a gin base with spiced pear liqueur, pear juice, and lemon mixed in. The pear spice and pucker are a nice contrast to the traditional winter flavors.
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32
bellyfull.net
Jack Frost Winter Cocktail
The Jack Frost Winter Cocktail is kind of like the winter version of a piña colada. It has a base of light rum and blue curacao with crushed ice, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice mixed in. If the north pole were a tropical location this would be the cocktail of choice there!
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33
freutcake.com
Moscow Reindeer
The Moscow Mule is already a great winter drink. The Moscow Reindeer adds more holiday festiveness to the classic vodka-lime-ginger beer cocktail with fresh muddled mint and a crushed peppermint candy cane. This drink is easy to make and only takes a few minutes.
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34
missinthekitchen.com
Peppermint Mudslide
The Peppermint Mudslide is a fun dessert drink that will satisfy those with a sweet tooth. This potent cocktail has vodka, Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlua, and peppermint schnapps. It is easy to make, easy to drink, and only takes a few minutes to put together.
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35
mybartender.com
Negroni
The Negroni is an Italian cocktail and one of the most classic drinks of all time. It is a simple three-ingredient cocktail with gin, Campari, and vermouth that you can mix in just a couple of minutes. Keep it classy and impress your holiday cocktail party guests with this winter favorite.
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Please drink responsibly, be fully accountable with your alcohol consumption, and show others respect.
