10 Festive Cocktails to Make This Holiday Season

This creamy classic will be the star of any holiday party. Eggs, sugar, whole milk and heavy cream form a rich base that’s brought to life with a couple splashes of bourbon and spiced rum. Serve this big batch drink in a punch bowl with tea cups and freshly grated nutmeg for serving.

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This sparkling cocktail will add some festive flair to any holiday brunch. And with only three ingredients, it’s perfect for even the busiest party planners. Just combine ginger ale, cranberry juice and Champagne and garnish with skewered sugared cranberries.

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As fancy as it looks, this wine-based tipple is easy to make. Red Burgundy, homemade strawberry syrup and Pimm’s are combined and chilled, then topped with Champagne and a lemon twirl for simply elegant presentation.

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This Scandinavian classic is ideal for warming up on chilly holiday nights. Plus, the big-batch recipe is perfect for larger get-togethers. Simply simmer red wine, port, vodka, fruit, spices and sugar, let stand so the flavors can meld, then reheat and serve in mugs with raisins and sliced blanched almonds.

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’Tis the season for pine! The fresh needles make their way into your drink with this unique cocktail. Homemade pine syrup adds a wintery flavor to bitters, lemon juice, cranberries and your choice of gin or vodka for a drink that tastes like the holidays in a glass.

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Heat things up with this tequila and cider concoction. Mix añejo tequila and hot spiced apple cider in a warmed Irish Coffee glass, then top with a little heavy cream to add richness. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.

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Rich, creamy and not too sweet, this Puerto Rican holiday cocktail is sure to please and could even work as a great gift. Just simmer sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream of coconut, vanilla extract and spices, then cool and stir in some rum. Transfer to bottles with a cinnamon stick and store in the fridge.

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Give Eggnog a modern twist with this recipe. Shake bourbon, orange juice, cream, brown sugar syrup, an egg and Cherry Heering with ice, then strain into two punch cups and garnish with cinnamon and an orange peel.

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This mix of pear vodka, St-Germain, fresh lime juice and Angostura bitters is a fruity reprieve from the richly spiced holiday recipes that dominate this time of year. But don’t worry—it still manages to stay festive enough for all of your celebrations.

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This cocktail takes all the fun of decorating a tree and brings it to the bar. Chilled pine-infused vodka stars when mixed with soda water and cranberry juice. But the truly stunning part of this drink is its presentation: an ice-nestled ornament garnished with fresh pine and cranberries.

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