Cozy Cocktails and Mocktails: Holiday Drink Recipes for Every Gathering

Toasting the season with your family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues can be meaningful and a lot of fun. Fortunately, there are more options than ever to do this. Some people enjoy more traditional beverages infused with alcohol, and others prefer alcohol-free mocktails for a variety of reasons. If you’re looking for some inspiration for your holiday get-together, here is a list of cozy cocktails and mocktails to get you started. 

Cozy Holiday Cocktails

For many, the holidays wouldn’t be the same without a cozy cocktail in hand to “cheer!” the celebration. Here are several festive drinks you can try.

1. Santa’s Little Helper

This combination of cranberry juice, rum, and Amaro Siciliano gives off flavors of orange, cinnamon, and much more. 

2. Spiced Clementine Mulled Whiskey

This festive drink combines ginger beer and whiskey, topped with sliced clementines. You get a smooth, spicy concoction that will warm you and your guests from the inside out. 

3. Mulled Wine Cocktail

These unique cocktails just seem to have an aroma that screams, “Holidays!.” They are made from a mixture of red wine, maple syrup, orange liqueur, cinnamon, and cloves, and can be served hot or cold. 

4. Irish Cream

This homemade Irish cream liqueur drink is an excellent after-dinner drink or even something you can mix up to give as a unique holiday gift. 

5. Winter Sangria

If you’re looking for a light and refreshing drink to serve at your holiday gathering, consider this winter sangria recipe. In addition to the alcoholic kick, your guests will notice flavors of cranberry, orange, and cinnamon. 

6. Gingerbread Negroni

This is a potent but delicious drink made from Spiced Butter Bacardi, Campari, Cardamero, Cocchi Tornio, and Ginger Bitters. It’s garnished with grated nutmeg and an orange twist. 

7. The Nutcracker

For the bourbon lovers in your group, you can create this holiday drink by combining your choice of bourbon with Amaretto liquor, orange juice, and ice. 

8. Pumpkin Pie Martini

There’s more than one place you can serve pumpkin pie during the holidays. For the pumpkin devotees in your crowd, this pumpkin pie martini will be a popular drink. It’s made from orange juice, Patron Silver, pumpkin puree, lemon juice, and a few other ingredients. 

Best Mocktails for the Holidays

A cold glass of milk or plain seltzer water aren’t the only non-alcoholic options available for your non-drinking guests. Here are some delicious and imaginative mocktails to put on your holiday gathering list. 

1. Cranberry Pomegranate Bellini With Lime

This is a mixture of cranberry and pomegranate juice topped with seltzer water and a squeeze of fresh lime. 

2. Wassail

Wassail is a warm, spiced punch that is usually served during the ancient English Yuletide tradition bearing the same name. It’s a combination of apple cider and orange juice mixed with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise. 

3. Crimson Christmas Punch

Despite the name, you can serve this sweet, delicious punch any time of the year. It’s a mixture of three types of juice, ginger ale, and raspberry sherbet. 

4, Mulled Apple Juice

This non-alcoholic spiced apple juice is a favorite among young and old alike. It will warm your bones, and it has tons of flavor. 

5. Cherry-Lime Rickey

If your party will include any gin cocktails, this non-alcoholic mocktail is an excellent alternative. It involves adding more club soda instead of gin. 

6. Apple-Ginger Moscow Mule

This non-alcoholic version of the popular mule cocktail will be sure to please. The ingredients include apple cider, ginger beer, lime juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and several garnishes. 

7. Eggnog Hot Chocolate

With this recipe, you can put a delicious and alcohol-free spin on traditional eggnog that turns the drink into a delightful, warm, and chocolatey mixture everyone will love. 

8. Santa’s Secret

This mocktail is a holiday favorite but not one you want to drink unless you want to stay up half the night (like Santa Claus). It’s made from Chinese black tea, non-alcoholic eggnog, vanilla, and candy canes. 

Get Your Cocktail and Mocktail Ingredients at Nick’s of Calvert

Now that you have an excellent list of cozy cocktails and mocktails for any type of holiday gathering, the next step is to gather your ingredients. Nick’s of Calvert offers one of the largest selections of beer, wine, and spirits in Southern Maryland — all at the lowest prices. And, for your mocktails, you can find any sodas, juices, spices, and other ingredients you might need. If you need assistance with a selection, we’d be happy to help. Contact us at (410) 414-7105 with any questions, or visit us today.