5 Best Holiday Cocktails (& Mocktails!) for a Holiday Party Win!

It’s that time of year—holiday party time! Each year, my family hosts a huge holiday party for our friends and family. We carefully select our menu to include healthy, nutritious ingredients. I make sure to include many vegetables and fruits as well as dishes for both my meat-loving and vegan friends. It’s truly an amazing spread. And while normally I’m not a big advocate of alcohol consumption, I do make an exception once a year and treat my guests to some of their favorite festive beverages. After all, what holiday party would be complete without serving some of the best holiday cocktails we can come up with?

So, in an unusual departure from my standard health-promoting articles, I’d like to share with you the recipes of my absolute best holiday cocktails. They’re fun, festive, and the absolute perfect accent to your holiday party. Take a look below and try out a couple at your holiday gatherings this year. You won’t be disappointed in these holiday signature drinks!

5 Best Holiday Cocktails & Mocktails

Here are five of my best holiday cocktails. And just in case you prefer your drinks sans alcohol, or if you’re having a kid-friendly party, I’ve included some mocktail adaptations as well.

Candy Cane Martini

Serves: 2

Ingredients

3 ounces vanilla rum

3 ounces Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

3 ounces Peppermint Schnapps

Directions

1. Put all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into two martini glasses.
3. Garnish each with a candy cane. Alternatively, you can coat the rims in simple syrup or agave syrup and crushed peppermint prior to pouring the drink.

Make It a Mocktail!

Instead of the alcohol, use 6 ounces of almond milk, 1 ounce of vanilla syrup, and 1ounce of peppermint syrup.

Frosty the Snowman Martini

Serves: 2

Ingredients

2 ounces lemon juice

2 ounces agave syrup

1 ounce triple sec

4 ounces vodka

Directions

1. Run a lemon wedge along the rims of two martini glasses and coat with lemon drop sugar (mix of granulated sugar and lemon zest).
2. Put all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into two martini glasses.
4. Garnish each with a sugar stick, if desired.

Mrs. Claus’s Cider

Serves: 2

Ingredients

4 ounces sparkling wine

4 ounces apple cider

Directions

1. Coat the rims of two cocktail glasses in simple syrup or agave syrup and cinnamon sugar.
2. Divide the ingredients into the two glasses and serve.

Make It a Mocktail!

Instead of the sparkling wine, use sparkling water.

Santa’s Cookie

Serves: 2

Ingredients

2 ounces Peppermint Schnapps

2 ounces Kahlua

2 ounces Irish Cream

Directions

1. Put all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into two cocktail glasses.
3. Garnish each with a Santa’s hat decoration or a cookie of your choice.

Rudolph’s Nose

Serves: 2

Ingredients

8 ounces sparkling wine

1 ounce Chambord

Cranberries, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Divide the ingredients into two martini glasses or cocktail glasses.
2. Garnish each with cranberries, if desired, or coat the rims in simple syrup or agave syrup and sugar prior to pouring the drink.

Make It a Mocktail!

Instead of the Chambord, use an equal amount of raspberry juice or 1 teaspoon raspberry extract.

I hope you enjoy these fun, festive holiday-inspired drinks—from my kitchen to yours. Happy Holidays!