21 Easy Winter Cocktails to Warm Up Your Holiday Season

Introduction

When the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like gathering around with friends and family, sipping on seasonal drinks that deliver both warmth and festive cheer. These 21 easy winter cocktails are crafted to bring out the best flavors of the season—from spiced ciders to creamy nogs and spirited berry mixes—guaranteeing your holiday gatherings are cozy and unforgettable.

Why These Winter Cocktails Are a Hit

Winter cocktails are all about layering flavors—think warming spices, smoky notes, tart cranberries, and sweet maple. These recipes are not only crowd-pleasers but are also simple to mix up, making them perfect for both casual get-togethers and formal holiday parties. Each cocktail showcases festive flavors that feel indulgent yet approachable, meaning hosts can impress without the stress.

Our Top 21 Easy Winter Cocktails

Whether you’re after a classic hot toddy, a unique twist on mulled wine, or a decadent dessert cocktail, this list covers it all. Many recipes can be batched ahead for easy entertaining, leaving you more time to enjoy the festivities.

Perfect for Planning—A Festive Bar Menu

Curating your own winter cocktail bar is a breeze with these recipes. Choose a few favorites to feature at your next party, or plan a week of cozy evenings by the fire. With everything from sparkling cranberry spritzers to boozy hot chocolates, there’s an option for every occasion and palate.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this entire cocktail collection to instantly generate an organized shopping list, sorted by store section for maximum efficiency. Easy for prepping for a party or making your home bar holiday-ready.

Instructions

1. Classic Hot Toddy: Combine 2 oz whiskey, 1 tablespoon honey, juice of half a lemon, and hot water in a mug. Stir, garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.
2. Mulled Red Wine: Simmer 1 bottle red wine with orange slices, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, and 2 tablespoons honey for 20 minutes. Serve warm.
3. Spiked Apple Cider: Warm 2 cups apple cider with 1 cinnamon stick and add 2 oz spiced rum. Garnish with an apple wedge.
4. Irish Coffee: Brew a cup of hot coffee, stir in 1 oz Irish whiskey and 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Top with lightly whipped cream.
5. Maple Bourbon Old-Fashioned: Muddle an orange slice, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, and a dash of bitters. Add 2 oz bourbon and ice, stir to combine.
6. Peppermint White Russian: Mix 1 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, and 1 oz peppermint schnapps; top with cream.
7. Cranberry Gin Fizz: Shake 2 oz gin, 1 oz cranberry juice, and 1/2 oz lime juice with ice. Strain and top with club soda.
8. Pomegranate Prosecco Punch: Combine 3 oz pomegranate juice and 4 oz Prosecco in a flute. Add a few pomegranate seeds and a sprig of mint.
9. Gingerbread Eggnog: Mix 2 oz eggnog, 1 oz spiced rum, and a pinch of ground ginger. Serve with a gingerbread cookie garnish.
10. Amaretto Spiced Tea: Brew black tea, sweeten with honey, and add 1 oz Amaretto. Stir in a cinnamon stick.
11. Caramel Apple Martini: Shake 2 oz vodka, 1 oz apple juice, and 1/2 oz caramel syrup. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with an apple slice.
12. Whiskey Maple Sour: Shake 2 oz whiskey, 3/4 oz lemon juice, and 1/2 oz maple syrup with ice. Strain over ice in a rocks glass.
13. RumChata Chocolate Martini: Shake equal parts RumChata and chocolate liqueur with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass.
14. Winter Sangria: Combine red wine, 2 oz brandy, sliced apples, oranges, and berries in a pitcher. Chill before serving.
15. Chai Bourbon Latte: Prepare chai tea with milk, and stir in 1 oz bourbon. Top with nutmeg.
16. Blood Orange Moscow Mule: Mix 2 oz vodka, 1 oz blood orange juice, and top with ginger beer.
17. Rosemary Grapefruit Gin & Tonic: Muddle a sprig of rosemary with juice from half a grapefruit, then add 2 oz gin and tonic water over ice.
18. S’mores Hot Chocolate: Make hot chocolate, stir in 1 oz marshmallow vodka, garnish with toasted marshmallows and chocolate shavings.
19. Toasted Coconut White Russian: Mix 1 oz vodka, 1 oz Kahlúa, 1 oz coconut cream over ice; sprinkle toasted coconut on top.
20. Blackberry Thyme Sparkler: Muddle blackberries and thyme, add 2 oz gin and top with sparkling wine.
21. Spiced Pear Margarita: Shake 2 oz tequila, 1 oz pear nectar, 1/2 oz lime juice, pinch of cinnamon; serve over ice with a cinnamon stick garnish.

Weekly Meal Planning

These cocktails are ideal for meal planning, themed parties, or simply enjoying a new winter treat each evening. Save and schedule your favorite cocktail recipes for the week ahead—CookifyAI automatically creates a shopping list, calculates total quantities across recipes, and sorts them by store section.

Planning Benefits:

• Consolidated ingredient totals for multiple cocktails (never overbuy liqueurs or spices!)
• Organizes your shopping list by section—no more running back and forth in the store
• Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten mixers
• Makes party and weekly prep a breeze

Pro tip: Planning hot drinks and cold cocktails? Schedule recipes on CookifyAI to track exactly how much spirits and fresh produce to pick up before guests arrive.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 5–10 minutes per cocktail
Cook/Infuse Time (if needed): 10–20 minutes
Total Time: Under 10 minutes for most cocktails, up to 30 for infusions

Cheers to a Warmer Holiday Season

With these 21 easy winter cocktails, celebrating the season is simpler—and more delicious—than ever. Whether hosting a holiday bash or planning quiet winter nights in, these festive drinks are guaranteed to warm both hearts and hands.