20 fun cocktail ideas that are perfect for any holiday party

We all know and love the classic cosmopolitan, and on its own, it works just fine for a holiday party. But it can be made even more festive by adding some froth to the top. You still get the great flavor while making it holiday. 

A sugar cookie martini is sweet and spiked - you might only want one. But you’ll sure enjoy it while it lasts. It features the vodka you love in a martini, with a divine sugar-cookie sprinkle rim. 

The only way hot chocolate can possibly be better is by adding a little alcohol. Pick your poison here - vodka, rum, whiskey, and more can all work. Just be sure to clearly mark your cocktails if there are non-drinkers or children at your party. 

Apple cider is another delicious drink that can be turned into a cocktail by adding alcohol. Fireball is a great option as it complements apple cider’s natural flavors. Add a cinnamon stick to garnish. 

A refreshing cocktail, a cranberry paloma is an excellent option for a tropical-themed Christmas party. If you’re going for Christmas in July vibes, this is your signature cocktail for the evening. 

Grinch punch can take many forms - just make sure it’s green. A fun, sour way to make yours is to mix Sprite and Sour Apple Schnapps. There are plenty of other ways to mix up your Grinch concoction, though. 

A Yale mule is an easy and festive twist on a classic mule. Just add cranberry juice to the mixture and garnish with some cranberries. To really make it festive, garnish with some sugar-coated cranberries. 

A mistletoe margarita is another simple holiday twist on a classic cocktail. Just add cranberry juice to your margarita mix, and you’re set. You can make things extra festive by using red and green sugar on the rim. 

A gingerbread martini is delicious and adorable. You get to garnish with gingerbread cookies (and whipped cream if you’re into it), and there are all sorts of fun glasses you can serve it in if you want to step away from the martini glass for an evening. 

A hot buttered rum is a classic festive cocktail, and it’ll warm you right up. This is an excellent option to serve at an outdoor Christmas party when there’s a bite in the air. Your guests will thank you for the toasty option. 

Christmas punch is another recipe you can play around with and make your own. Start with the basics - ginger ale, sparkling cider, orange juice, etc. - and build from there. You can use champagne instead of cider and add cranberry juice if you’d like. 

A peppermint martini is a cliche holiday cocktail, but it’ll always please the crowd. You can play with the recipe a bit, though. Opt for a simple vodka and peppermint syrup or add something to make it a little creamy. Bartender’s choice. 

A reindeer mule is nothing fancy - it’s just another variation of a mule. This one features an addition of apple cider, as well as apple slices as a garnish, as a nod to a food you might feed a reindeer. 

Some people have never had eggnog in their lives, others can’t let December pass without having it. If you’re trying to bridge the gap between those people, serve them an eggnog martini. 

Holiday party-goers will love a spiced cider sangria. It’s smooth with just the right amount of kick. Plus, it’s so festive, and that’s what you want in a holiday cocktail (arguably more than good flavor).

If you’re a mimosa fan, don’t let the holiday season pass without trying a mulled version. And if you’ve got mimosa fans for guests (and let’s face it, who isn’t a mimosa fan?), serve a mulled version at your holiday party. 

You can take your holiday espresso martini recipe in multiple ways. Serve a gingerbread version, a peppermint version, a mocha version - or just top it with some whipped cream and set some pinecones next to it. Anything goes over the holidays. 

A coquito is a traditional Puerto Rican alcoholic drink similar to eggnog. The name of the cocktail literally translates to “little coconut,” so that should tell you a bit about the ingredients and the flavor profile. 

A holiday smash cocktail features muddled mint and cranberry, a holiday simple syrup, bourbon, and citrus juices of your choice. It’s got all the festive flavors you’re craving at the end of the year, plus a little bourbon. 

If you like a French 75, you might like a French 77 over the holiday season. This variation swaps gin and simple syrup for elderflower liqueur. It’ll have you feeling very fancy.