Whether you’re planning a party or just want to make sure you’ve got something festive in your fridge at all times, we’ve got the perfect recipes for you. These are 30 classic winter cocktails to spoil your guests—or yourself!
Winter is the right time for so many things.
You get to enjoy Christmas parties, family reunions, and the spirit of gift-giving.
But do you know what else is missing?
Winter cocktails!
Winter cocktails make every occasion more memorable.
They are also great when catching up with friends and family over reunions.
So, impress them with what you know!
Whip up a Classic Hot Toddy for a warm drink your friends will surely love.
Or how about a Classic Manhattan to make everything feel classy?
But the real deal here is #30.
Make some for yourself after tucking your kids to bed with their own hot cup!
That’s the perfect nightcap right there.
Gird your loins, everyone.
Here are 30 of the best winter cocktails for you (and your guests).
This one’s for you if you’re into the salted caramel flavor.
The creaminess of Baileys just makes it feel like you’re drinking spiked coffee!
Serve it chilled, and watch your guests slurp down the creamy goodness.
This is especially a hit with working professionals who want to unwind from a hard day.
This drink dates back to chaotic World War I when it was served in Parisian cafes and bars.
The name comes from how strong the drink is, which is said to be like being shot by a French 75mm field gun. (Hey, that’s a fun story.)
And even though it’s not as deadly as its name sounds, the combination is still pretty strong.
We suggest serving this classic cocktail at an elegant dinner party or a romantic New Year’s Eve party this holiday season or whenever you want your guests to feel extra special.
3. Americano
The Americano is actually an Italian drink, despite its name.
But as part of the martini family, this drink was loved by Americans traveling through Italy during prohibition.
In fact, it gained so much popularity among Americans that it was named after them!
So, forget everything you knew about Americanos and treat yourself to this wonderful cocktail when hosting guests this winter!
The Hot Toddy is a quirky winter cocktail that you should include in your holiday mix.
Unlike many cocktails, it’s a warm drink, which is usually served chilled or over ice.
Plus, it’s surprisingly hydrating, making for an excellent nightcap after dinner.
The Hot Toddy is usually made with black tea, but you can use your favorite flavor instead if you’d like.
This cocktail will become your new favorite if you love the luscious combination of peanut butter and chocolate!
It’s a cozy cocktail that will remind you of the warm nights spent by the fire with friends.
This drink is also sweet enough to satisfy your sugar cravings without feeling like it was too much sugar.
And if you want to add a little more kick to this drink, feel free to add an extra shot or two of vodka.
Something about pears and rosemary goes so well together, and it pairs beautifully with gin.
This cocktail is a twist on the G&T, which will make your after-work girls’ night even more memorable.
Also, it just feels so festive and would be ideal for any celebration or gathering of friends.
It’s perfect when you want to host a get-together without learning how to make elaborate cocktails (because let’s be honest—you’re busy!).
We love this drink for its nostalgic name, making it feel like a holiday tradition.
But we love it even more for how delicious it is.
It’s sweet and a little smoky without being overpowering.
And it’s the kind of cocktail you can enjoy while swapping stories with friends or family about Christmases past.
This martini is a balance of vodka, Kahlúa, and peppermint schnapps to warm you up on even the coldest winter nights.
Serve it up with snacks or a dessert platter to complete the experience.
The Sidecar Cocktail has a few origins.
But the most interesting thing about this cocktail is that it was named for a friend of David Embury.
He always rode his motorcycle to the restaurant where David tasted new cocktails.
And he usually arrived with dirt on his sidecar and asked for a drink to cleanse his palate.
It sounds like the perfect way to start a meal! Right?
You can call this cocktail by its proper name or refer to it as “the Dirty Martinis,” but you’re sure to please your friends with this crowd-pleasing drink!
Vodka, cream, and Kahlua.
The name might suggest otherwise, but the white Russian actually has very little to do with Russia, except for the vodka.
It’s actually believed to have originated in California in the 1960s.
The drink was named for its creamy hue, which is achieved by adding cream or milk to vodka and coffee liqueur.
Plus, it’s also often garnished with a maraschino cherry.
10. Black Russian
You’ve probably heard of the Black Russian, a simple cocktail made of vodka and coffee liqueur, but did you know that this cocktail is not actually from Russia?
In fact, it was created by barman Gustave Tops at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels.
Despite its Russian origin, this drink has become such a part of American culture that it can be legitimately questioned whether or not it was invented in Russia.
It’s also a favorite among bartenders who like to keep their cocktails classy and simple.
Stir it gently, then garnish with a coffee bean!
Your guests will fall in love with the taste of this drink so much that they’ll be lining up to have some!
What better way to enjoy the winter holidays than with a Pumpkin Pie Martini?
While regular pumpkin pie is already a classic of the season, this drink takes that sweet and flavorful treat.
It’s a subtly tart classic that will be popular among your guests and something you can enjoy with friends.
We’ve all heard of the negroni, that Italian favorite served from coast to coast.
It’s a bitter cocktail associated with summer and sunshine.
Still, this spiced version will keep you warm on those chilly winter nights.
It combines warming spices, tangy orange, and a touch of sweetness to make it a truly unique drink.
This winter cocktail is the perfect way to bring the refreshing taste of winter pomegranates to your cocktail menu.
The tart lime and sweet pomegranate pair perfectly to create a refreshing fruit blend that will delight your senses.
Plus, it’s a beautiful color and looks great in a glass with a salted rim!
If you want to try something new for your next party, this margarita recipe is perfect for all occasions.
And whether it’s a holiday gathering or just hanging out with friends at home on Saturday night, you can’t go wrong serving this drink!
This classic cocktail was all the rage in Manhattan back in the day.
It blends the taste of sweet vermouth with the flavors of whiskey and bitters.
Plus, it’s a perfect drink for those who want to enjoy a cocktail without being overwhelmed by a strong alcoholic flavor.
This will be a hit with your friends after working like dogs all day.
Everyone deserves to have fun, after all.
This sangria recipe is simple and delicious.
It’s the winter version of our favorite summer refresher.
In this recipe, we’ve created a zesty spice mixture, which we then added to a bottle of wine.
It’s best to use an inexpensive wine with this particular recipe because you won’t be able to taste its subtleties after all of the spices are added.
You can make this beverage with white or red wine, but we find that red wine works better with cinnamon, cloves, and apple cider.
This winter cocktail strikes a perfect balance of sweet and sour, but not so sour that it’ll make you pucker.
The egg white adds a nice bit of foaminess to the texture.
And the lemon garnish on top gives it an elegant presentation.
The whiskey’s warmth will still come through even with the other flavor elements, making this drink perfect for winter evenings.
Let’s be honest: Bourbon and hot apple cider are a classic combination.
Many people enjoy this hot cocktail simply because it makes them warm.
It’s like getting a cuddly hug from your favorite teddy bear.
You’ll hear from some people that ginger and pomegranate do not mix well.
But these people are wrong!
This delicious cocktail is actually perfect for those cold nights when you want to sit by the fire with your friends and enjoy a warm drink.
Winter just isn’t the same without a steaming mug of cocoa in your hand.
It’s the ideal drink for cozy evenings or taking a break from the cold, windy outdoors.
But as awesome as it is, it’s also great to have a grown-up version of this treat that we can enjoy with our friends.
Plus, this Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini will hit your sweet spot if you love hot cocoa and cocktails!
It’s sweet and chocolatey without being too indulgent.
And it retains that boozy kick we all look for in a cocktail.
You might even want to serve it in a pitcher, so you can have plenty!
But this candy is so delicious you should really be enjoying it year-round.
So, bring the indulgent chocolate flavor of this winter classic to your guests by serving them a Cadbury Creme Egg Martini!
These martinis are creamy and rich, with a hint of alcohol to enhance the flavor without overpowering the chocolate, caramel, and vanilla notes.
It doesn’t even have to be an occasion for these martinis.
Serve them up at any old weeknight cocktail hour with friends or family members!
It’s also fun to liven up your dessert table at holiday parties.
But be sure to keep these out of reach for little ones.
21. Butterbeer
This tasty warm brew was first enjoyed by Harry Potter and his friends in Hogsmeade, the only-wizards village in the Harry Potter series.
And now, you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own home!
This drink is smooth like butter and warms like beer, as its name implies.
And it’s an ideal choice for a wintery night spent curled up with a good book or movie—or if you’re hosting a Harry Potter-themed party.
Winter is the season for mulled wine, or at least it should be.
This classic cocktail is special because it’s warm.
And because it’s red.
And also because cranberries just make everything Christmassy.
Try this winter cocktail recipe at your next holiday party, and you’ll be everyone’s favorite host when you serve hot drinks by the fire in mugs made for two.
The smoky whiskey sour is one of our favorite variations on the classic cocktail.
The warmth of the whiskey and the delicious sourness of the lemon juice makes for a great combination!
Add a dash of egg white to the mix, and you’ve got a foamy beverage that will keep you toasty all winter long.
Hot Mulled Apple Cider is another classic winter cocktail.
And while most people picture a bowl of cider with cinnamon sticks on the side and a ladle, this mulled cider recipe has the potential to be much more than that.
Enjoy this hot cocktail as you sit by the fireplace on a cold winter night.
25. Homemade Eggnog
A traditional holiday drink, eggnog is sweetened flavored milk typically made with eggs, cream, and/or milk.
And according to historians, eggnog was brought to America by the British from the old world.
A similar drink called posset was also enjoyed in Europe as far back as the Middle Ages.
It has even been recorded in many points of literature.
For example, Charles Dickens mentions it in A Christmas Carol.
Harry Potter fans are also familiar with Hogwarts’ very own eggnog, served at feasts alongside other magical treats such as treacle tart and pumpkin juice.
Plus, eggnogs are easy to make, so you should give this a try.
26. Irish Coffee
Who says you can’t put booze in coffee?
Irish Coffee is actually the perfect example of getting your fix of both caffeine and alcohol without any stomach problems.
This is a guaranteed hit for many winter gatherings, or you can just make yourself one.
You don’t need gatherings to enjoy cocktails, anyway.
Decadent, sinfully sweet, and has a boozy kick.
Desserts and cocktails have always gone together, and when you taste this cocktail, you will see why.
Dulce de Leche lends its caramel-like sweetness without overpowering the whole drink.
With this being so good, you can even put it in tumblers and bring it to work.
But don’t say that came from us.
This hot cocoa drink is anything but ordinary.
The peppermint makes everything even better, and this boozy chocolate drink can make you smile and blush for all the right reasons.
Happy holidays, everyone!
29. Amaretto Sour
This cocktail was popularized by Italian immigrants who brought their fruit wines to the United States.
It even became a sensation during the ’70s!
And it tastes like you’re drinking a glass of amaretto but with a hint of citrus.
It’s sweet and delicious, but not too sweet.
The flavor is subtle and light, making it ideal for pairing with other drinks or just sipping on its own.
Truly, Italian food and drink make everything so much better.
So, enjoy this with your friends for a memorable winter experience.
We’re doing you a favor by introducing this to your winter cocktails list.
Combine the sweetness of hot chocolate and the warmth from the bourbon.
Not overpowering, and it tastes just right.
Just don’t let the kids know about it.
The bottom line
These winter cocktails are surefire hits on every occasion.
You can finally enjoy the flavors of winter with the perfect booze.
And why wait until winter to try these out?
Make some of them now!
Cheers!
Looking for Winter food options, we’ve compiled lists of 32 Comforting Winter Soups, 30 BEST Winter Casseroles, and 27 Winter Desserts that you should definitely check out.
Top 30 BEST Winter Cocktails ❄️🍸
These are 30 easy classic Winter Cocktails to spoil your guests—or yourself!
Ingredients
- Bailey's Salted Caramel & Espresso Martini
- French 75 Cocktail
- Americano
- Classic Hot Toddy
- Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel
- Pear, Rosemary Gin & Tonic
- Christmas Campfire Martini
- Sidecar Cocktail
- Classic White Russian
- Black Russian
- Pumpkin Pie Martini
- Winter Spiced Negroni
- Pomegranate Margarita
- Classic Manhattan
- Spiced Winter Sangria
- Whiskey Sour Cocktail
- Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider
- Pomegranate Ginger Sparkler
- Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini
- Cadbury Creme Egg Martini
- Butterbeer
- Cranberry Mulled Wine
- Smoky Whiskey Sour
- Hot Mulled Apple Cider
- Homemade Eggnog
- Irish Coffee
- Dulce De Leche Coffee
- Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
- Amaretto Sour
- Bourbon Hot Chocolate
Instructions
- Skim through our Winter Cocktails list.
- Choose the ingredients you like the most.
- Create a new favorite drink you can enjoy!
- Have fun and tell us what you think on our Facebook page!