FESTIVE HOLIDAY DRINK IDEAS FOR KIDS & ADULTS
Cheers to the most wonderful time of the year! Nothing lifts spirits quite like a festive holiday drink, whether you’re hosting a Christmas cocktail party or preparing for a cozy night in. We’ve rounded up our favorite Christmas drink ideas, including a few non-alcoholic options for the younger crowd and those who enjoy a merry mocktail. So read on, because we’ve got something for everyone to sip on this holiday season!
Cranberry Fizz Christmas Punch (Recipe sourced from Almost Supermom)
This spritzy drink is perfect for holiday cocktail parties or silent nights under the Christmas tree. It also pairs wonderfully with various festive foods, so consider swapping it with your glass of red wine at Christmas dinner. And since cranberries aren’t exclusive to the holidays, we give you full permission to serve this punch on New Year's Eve, too!
Start by combining 2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce with 2 ounces of gin and 2 ounces of Cointreau into a martini shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Next, fill a glass with fresh ice and pour the cranberry mixture over top.
Finally, fill the rest of the cup with club soda or sparkling wine, and garnish with fresh cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, and a twisty straw (if you’re feelin’ festive). To make it a mocktail, simply substitute cranberry juice or orange juice for the gin and Cointreau. En voilà!
Candy Cane Hot Chocolate (Recipe sourced from One Good Thing and Sweet Steep)
When the weather outside is frightful, there’s nothing more delightful than a cup of hot cocoa. This recipe is guaranteed to level up your hot chocolate game with just a twist of homemade peppermint syrup.
It calls for a crockpot–a must-have for getting the creamiest cocoa. Start by pouring 1 ½ cups of heavy whipping cream, 6 cups of milk, and 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk. Then add 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla and 2 cups of chocolate chips of your choosing. Cover, and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally until the mixture is hot and the chocolate chips are melted.
While your cocoa simmers, begin to whip up the homemade peppermint syrup. Simply combine 1 1/4 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil while stirring frequently. Immediately lower the syrup to a simmer and let it thicken for a few minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn. Then stir in 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract, and let it simmer for 1 minute. Once all the sugar has dissolved, remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool.
We suggest adding the peppermint syrup to your hot chocolate once it has cooled completely. And if you have any extra, be sure to bottle it up and save it for later. (Trust us, you’ll want some to add to your coffee on Christmas morning!) Once your hot cocoa mixture is ready, whisk it well and serve it with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of peppermint dust.
If you’re in the mood to mistle-toast, feel free to add a buzz with a splash of Irish cream liqueur. Or, go all out and stir in some vodka and Kahlua to make a cozy concoction reminiscent of a white russian!
The only way to serve hot chocolate is with an entourage of toppings and mix-ins, so make sure to set aside some marshmallows and peppermint candies. Better yet, have yourself a merry little hot cocoa bar and fill an entire tray with an assortment of fun toppings. (These marshmallow snowmen are one of our favorite embellishments!)
To create the perfect DIY hot cocoa bar, simply arrange your toppings in festive food cups on a large platter. Serve them alongside some mugs and napkins, en voila! Bon appetite!
The best part about making a mini hot chocolate bar in this fashion is that it’s grab-and-go friendly and easily coverable. A simple sheet of saran wrap will keep everything safe and fresh for those rare occasions when the bar is closed for business.
The Grinch Cocktail (Recipe sourced from The Toasty Kitchen)
This next holiday drink is a mean, green boozy machine so it’s perfect for adult Christmas parties. Start by filling a lowball cup with ice. Then pour 1 ½ ounces of green Midori liqueur and 1 ounce of clear rum.
Fill the remainder of the glass with lemon-lime soda and stir gently to combine. Top it off with a maraschino cherry and a naughty (or nice) straw and enjoy! To make it a mocktail, pass on the alcohol and add a splash of lime syrup.
Spiced Cinnamon Hot Wassail (Recipe sourced from Holly Moore of Bonjour Fête & The Spruce Eats)
So whether you’re making it with alcohol or not, this toasty drink tastes (and smells) like Christmas in a cup!
In a large pot, bring 2 cups of sugar and 1 quart of water to a boil. Then add 10 whole cloves, 5 sticks of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of whole allspice, and 1 tablespoon of ginger. Allow all of the ingredients to simmer for 1 hour, then strain the spices and remove the mixture from the heat.
Next, add 12 ounces of frozen orange juice, 6 ounces of frozen lemonade, and 12 ounces of frozen apple juice (or apple cider if you want more spice). Just before serving, add a 2-liter bottle of sprite. Wassail should be served warm, so we suggest ladling it out on the stove and reheating as necessary.
Those that love hot toddies or mulled wine around the holidays will love the cozy cocktail version. Simply skip on the sprite and add 2 cups of rum to the wassail instead. With all of the fruits and spices, it resembles a more refreshing version of hot buttered rum!
That concludes our list of favorite holiday drinks, for now. You can find all of the décor and party supplies we used here (as well as some other tasty treats you need to try!) We hope you’re just as excited as we are to eat, drink, and be merry this holiday season! Xx
