25 Classic Winter Cocktails

When you hear the words winter cocktails, what comes to mind? Festive names like the Candy Cane Martini or the Yule Mule?

Or perhaps it’s how they look – white and snowy or covered in reds, greens, and light pinks? Maybe you picture mugs of soothing, warm, spice-filled drinks.

Whatever you imagine, you aren’t wrong. They can look wintery, have wintery names, or be full of wintery ingredients.

Often garnished with peppermint, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks, winter drink recipes just have an overall sense of cold weather and holiday cheer.

And here are 25 of the best of them.

1. Mulled Wine

Although it doesn’t have a cute, winter-themed name, mulled wine is one of the most well-known winter cocktail recipes.

Its prestige is primarily thanks to its delightful aroma of wine, maple syrup, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves.

While warming, this drink will make your whole house smell fantastic.
If you haven’t yet gotten into the “holiday spirit,” it can help get you there.

2. Candy Cane Martini

If you’re a fan of chocolate and candy canes, you’ll go nuts for the Candy Cane Cocktail.

You’ll make homemade candy cane vodka using regular vodka, vanilla vodka, and candy canes.

Then, you’ll mix that with Crème de Cacao, Angostura bitters, and more candy canes.

The result is a light, refreshing drink that’s a bit chocolatey, a little minty, and 100% yummy. It smells terrific, too.

3. Hot Buttered Rum

Hot buttered rum is a classic winter drink, and for good reason! It’s warm, soothing, rich, sweet, and unfailingly delicious.

It’s also one of those comforting drinks that just makes life feel a little more cozy and peaceful.

Whip one up if you’re feeling blue. They also work well for soothing scratchy throats when the weather turns cool.

4. Puerto Rican Coquito (Coconut Eggnog)

Tired of the classic spiked eggnog recipe? Try something new this winter with this Puerto Rican Coquito recipe.

It has the same rich creaminess as eggnog. However, it has a sweeter, more coconut-heavy flavor.

I think of it as a mix of eggnog and horchata with a bit of tropical coconut flavor thrown in for good measure.

5. Toasted Marshmallow Espresso Martini

My favorite winter drinks are those that are thick, creamy, and indulgent. (Don’t worry; plenty of refreshing, light, fruity drinks are on this list, too!)

But the decadent ones are my favorites. Like this Toasted Marshmallow Espresso Martini. First of all, just look at it! It’s stunning!

It also has a deep, rich, roasted flavor that’s out of this world.

6. Hot Toddy

Want a drink that’ll really warm you up this winter? Break out this recipe for the original Hot Toddy. 

With whiskey, honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon, you can get a little tipsy. And ease any sore throats you might’ve gotten from the winter weather.

7. Mudslide

The great thing about a frozen mudslide is that it’s the ideal drink for either summer or winter.

In the summer, it’s cold and icy and will help you cool down after a hot day.

It still works in the winter because of its delightful winter/holiday appearance and festive chocolate, vanilla, and whipped cream decadence.

Plus, it’s equally delicious, no matter when you drink it.

8. Pomegranate Mimosa

This enchanting, bubbly drink is both sweet and tart, light and refreshing.

It’s a five-ingredient, 5-minute drink that you can make with practically nothing but a shaker and a champagne flute.

It’s also deceptively strong, thanks to the champagne and tequila.

9. Spiked Hot Chocolate

When you start breaking out the hot chocolate ingredients for winter, make sure to grab the rum, as well.  

You’ll be surprised how much faster you warm up after a cold day when there’s a bit of rum in your evening cup of hot chocolate.

10. Irish Coffee

While coffee is pretty much a year-round staple, its warm, caffeinated yumminess is particularly wonderful on cold winter days. 

Add some Irish whiskey, maple syrup, and whipped cream for an especially tasty treat. 

11. Gingerbread Martini

One of the best parts of cold weather is having an excuse to make gingerbread. But don’t limit yourself to houses and cookies.

This Gingerbread Martini is another excellent way to enjoy gingerbread when the weather turns cool.

Making the ginger syrup takes a few extra minutes, but it’s worth it for a drink this good. (And this pretty!)

12. Chocolate Peppermintini

Do you love Andes Mints? How about Girl Scouts’ Thin Mint cookies? If so, you’ll certainly appreciate this Chocolate Peppermintini.

It combines two of the best winter flavors: chocolate and peppermint.

It’s sweet, rich, and minty fresh. And it only requires a handful of ingredients and about 5 minutes to prepare. Enjoy!

13. Yule Mule

If you’re looking for a beautiful, holiday-themed drink that’ll brighten up any winter table, you must try the Yule Mule.

It’s a lovely red and green cocktail garnished with rosemary and cranberries.

It’s a tangy, slightly bitter drink, but in a good, robust way that’s hard not to enjoy.

14. Cranberry Mimosa

There’s no better time for cranberries than fall and winter. That’s why the cranberry mimosa is so well-suited for the holiday season.

It’s a delightfully festive drink that’s so easy to make. All you’ll need is cranberry juice and champagne!

Of course, fresh cranberries and sparkling sugar never hurt, either. They give the already-perfect drink a stunning, cold, wintery look.

15. White Russian

If you like your drinks strong and creamy, the White Russian is one of your best bets.

All you’ll need is vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. This drink will give you your buzz and your daily caffeine boost all at the same time.

16. Salted Caramel White Russian

This White Russian takes the original drink to a whole new level, mainly by adding a whole lot of caramel. 

The addition of caramel-flavored vodka, caramel sauce, and coarse sea salt gives it a much sweeter, much richer flavor. You won’t be able to resist.

17. Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned

You’ll have to first infuse your whiskey with toasted pecans for this drink, which takes a few days.

Once that’s done, though, it’s just a matter of mixing the whiskey, sugar cubes, Angostura bitters, and one large, round ice cube.

It’s a fantastic, nutty drink. And if your dad was anything like mine, it’ll have you reminiscing about sitting at his feet, a large, warm fire in the hearth.

18. Spiced Orange Apple Cider Sangria

Want a Thanksgiving or Christmas drink that’s as refreshing as it is festive? Try this spiced orange apple cider sangria.

It has all your favorite fall and winter fruits and spices. But you’ll also serve it chilled or over crushed ice for a refreshing finish.

It’s the kind of drink I like to refer to as “dangerously drinkable.”

19. Winter Negroni

The classic Negroni isn’t a typical Christmas cocktail. This winterized version is another story, though.

It’s still crisp, dry, and slightly bitter. However, it’s also infused with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and nutmeg. And the charred orange is just plain fun.

Serve it as an aperitif on a cool night. People will love it.

20. Honey Bourbon Cocktail

This smoky-sweet drink is another simple, straightforward option that the men in your life will love. There’s nothing fruity, “girly,” or pink about it.

However, thanks to the honey and orange juice (from the wedges), a slight sweetness helps cut down on the bourbon’s kick.

The sage adds another level of complexity.

21. Sparkling Winter Punch

If you’re looking for a gorgeous, sparkling yellow cocktail that’s perfect for New Year’s Eve, check out this recipe for sparkling winter punch.

It has a vodka base, orange juice, and Champagne with a simple syrup of filtered water, rosemary, and honey.

You’ll add a few rosemary sprigs and orange slices for garnishes.
The ice will keep it nice and chilled.

22. Jingle Juice Punch

This pretty pink punch requires only three ingredients – whipped vodka, Champagne, and Cherry 7-Up. It also takes less than 5 minutes to mix them.

It’s light and refreshing. Once you add a few cranberries as a garnish, it looks incredibly festive and will liven up your holiday table.

23. Pomegranate French 75

This tart and tangy drink will have you singing Christmas carols before you know it.

Full of pomegranate juice, lemon juice, gin, Champagne, and maple syrup, this drink has a lot going on.

It’s more fruity than alcohol-like in taste, so you can quickly drink enough to make you drunk without knowing it. Proceed with caution.

24. Winter-Spiced Apple Cocktail

There’s something overtly winter-like about apple cider. 

So, it makes sense that this winter-spiced apple cocktail is popular in the year’s colder months.

It’s relatively simple to make. All you’ll need is apple juice, an apple, dark rum, lemon peels, cloves, and a cinnamon stick.

The flavor, too, is uncomplicated, but it’s very tasty. Especially if you’re an apple cinnamon fan.

25. Wassail

Wassail is another option for those of us who love apples. It’s bright, apple-y, and gently spiced with cinnamon.

Toss in a little bourbon and some ginger, star anise, and half a vanilla bean, and voila! Another winter favorite.

It tastes phenomenal, but some would insist that it smells even better.