Crown Royal Hot Toddy Christmas Pie
Host Guide

6 Classic Holiday Cocktail Recipes with a Festive Twist

Along with the change in temperature, winter also brings an air of good cheer and festivity, especially when holiday cocktails add to the merriment. No matter how you celebrate the season, good times go hand in hand with good libations. But if you think eggnog and hot toddies are your only seasonal options, think again. Here is a list of classic cocktails with a holiday twist. 

This content is powered by: VinePairWords: Amanda Schuster
Illustration
Danielle Grinberg
Crown Royal Hot Toddy Christmas Pie

Along with the change in temperature, winter also brings an air of good cheer and festivity, especially when cocktails add to the merriment. No matter how you celebrate the season, good times go hand in hand with good libations. But if you think eggnog and hot toddies are your only seasonal options, think again. Here is a list of classic cocktails with a seasonal twist. 

Peppermint Espresso Martini Closeup

Winter Waltz espresso martini

Whether it’s a late-night outing or a midday brunch, an on-trend coffee cocktail presented with a lavish peppermint candy rim provides just the right amount of pep for your step.  

Peppermint Espresso Martini Closeup
Engravable
Mr-Black-NEW-bottle-Front
Mr Black

Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

Powered by ReserveBar
KETEL ONE VODKA 085156515417 FRONT 750ML (1)
Ketel One

Vodka

Powered by ReserveBar
Tromboneshakerbackgroundremoved
Nick Munro

Trombone Cocktail Shaker

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Festivegarnish 772X900
Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Festivegarnish 772X900

Cranberry vodka spritzer

A sprig of rosemary and whole cranberries coated with powdered sugar will give any simple cocktail a holly jolly vibe. This vodka-based highball, composed of subtly sweet-tart and tangy lime notes, is an elegant addition for hangs with friends and family. 

KETEL ONE VODKA 085156515417 FRONT 750ML (1)
Ketel One

Vodka

Powered by ReserveBar
Tromboneshakerbackgroundremoved
Nick Munro

Trombone Cocktail Shaker

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Seasonaljuices 772X450

Winter paloma

Incorporate in-season fruit juices and sparkly garnishes to give a classic cocktail a seasonal spin. Just be sure the flavor notes are similar, such as sweet with sweet vs. tart with tart. This take on the Mexican highball comes together quickly but gets festive with a vibrant magenta hue thanks to cranberry and pomegranate juices in place of the traditional grapefruit. Zhug it up with a sprinkle of edible glitter.

Don Julio Reposado Bottle Front (1)
Don Julio

Reposado Tequila

Powered by ReserveBar
Big Top Highball Collins Glass
NUDE

Big Top High Ball Glass, Set of 4

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Seasonaljuices 772X450
Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Rum 772X900
Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Rum 772X900

Rum old fashioned

Gifts don’t have to be the only things you end up exchanging this season. Try swapping out the usual whiskey in an old fashioned for dark rum and serve it warm instead of cold for a delicious hot toddy meets old fashioned mashup. 

Engravable
Zacapa No. 23 Rum Front
Zacapa

No. 23

Powered by ReserveBar
Sidecar Bar Tool Kit
Kessy Beldi

Sidecar 5-Piece Tool Bar Set

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Spice 772X450

Bloody Mary

Sometimes the best way to beat the cold is to warm yourself up with a spicy cocktail. When it comes to classic serves that are on the spicy side, you can play around with ingredients while still sticking to the original flavor profile. The key is to taste as you mix! A classic Bloody Mary topped with plenty of hearty goodies can be the perfect canvas to play around with and heat things up. Get feisty with the hot sauce, horseradish and peppers, or mix up the ingredients by using hot chili peppers or multiple hot sauces for depth of flavor. 

Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Spice 772X450
KETEL ONE VODKA 085156515417 FRONT 750ML (1)
Ketel One

Vodka

Powered by ReserveBar
Big Top Highball Collins Glass
NUDE

Big Top High Ball Glass, Set of 4

Powered by ReserveBar
Mezcal Casamigos 750Ml
Casamigos

Mezcal

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Hotchocolate 772X450
Diageo Thebar Article6 Internal Hotchocolate 772X450

Peppermint hot chocolate

The best (and easiest) way to put a festive spin on a classic holiday serve is by swapping in a flavored spirit for traditional ones. Treats like this warming, boozy hot chocolate recipe are simple to prepare and only require a few ingredients. If peppermint is not your thing, Crown Royal Salted Caramel would also work here. 

Seasonal
SMIRNOFF PEPPERMINT TWIST FRONT 750ML
Smirnoff

Peppermint Twist Vodka

Powered by ReserveBar
Engravable
Mr-Black-NEW-bottle-Front
Mr Black

Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

Powered by ReserveBar

You may also like

Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur Front
Baileys

Original Irish Cream Liqueur

Powered by ReserveBar
Shop

Gift Guides

Shop

Custom Engraved Bottles

Ready to Drink

The Cocktail Collection