6 Classic Holiday Cocktail Recipes with a Festive Twist

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.  

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.