28 Holiday Cocktail Recipes (With Mocktails!) – Maryland Bartender’s Curated Collection

Ingredients:

• White wine (1 bottle, 750ml)
• Cinnamon simple syrup (2 oz)
• Orange liqueur (2 oz)
• Brandy (2 oz)
• Ginger beer (1 cup)
• Club soda (1 cup)
• Fresh orange slices
• Fresh cranberries
• Fresh rosemary sprigs

Preparation:

• Combine white wine, cinnamon simple syrup, orange liqueur, and brandy in a large pitcher
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld
• Just before serving, add ginger beer and club soda
• Garnish with orange slices, fresh cranberries, and rosemary sprigs
• Serve over ice in wine glasses

Mocktail Version Solstice Spritz

Combine club soda, cinnamon syrup, and ginger beer with the same festive garnish for a non-alcoholic alternative that delivers full holiday flavor.

Ingredients:

• Pinot Grigio (1 bottle, 750ml)
• Pear nectar (1 cup)
• Elderflower liqueur (2 oz)
• Ginger syrup (1 oz)
• Fresh pear slices
• Fresh rosemary sprigs

Preparation:

• Mix Pinot Grigio, pear nectar, elderflower liqueur, and ginger syrup in a large pitcher
• Add sliced pears and refrigerate for 2-4 hours
• Serve over ice with a fresh rosemary sprig garnish
• The longer it sits, the more pronounced the pear flavor becomes

Mocktail Version Winter Orchard Fizz

Club soda mixed with pear nectar and ginger syrup, garnished with a fresh rosemary sprig for an aromatic alcohol-free option.

Ingredients:

• Red wine (1 bottle, 750ml – recommend Spanish red or Merlot)
• Pomegranate simple syrup (2 oz)
• Brandy (3 oz)
• Orange liqueur (2 oz)
• Sparkling water (1 cup)
• Fresh orange slices
• Fresh pear slices
• Fresh apple slices
• Lime wedges
• Lemon wedges
• Fresh cranberries
• Snow sugar for rim
• Fresh rosemary sprigs

Preparation:

• Combine red wine, pomegranate simple syrup, brandy, and orange liqueur in a large pitcher
• Add all sliced fruits and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (overnight is best)
• Rim glasses with snow sugar (white sparkling sugar)
• Add sparkling water just before serving
• Serve over ice with fruit pieces in each glass
• Garnish with a snow sugar-dusted rosemary sprig

Ingredients:

• Prosecco (4 oz)
• Pomegranate simple syrup (1 oz)
• Orange liqueur (0.5 oz)
• Fresh pomegranate seeds for garnish
• Orange twist

Preparation:

• Add pomegranate simple syrup and orange liqueur to a champagne flute
• Top with chilled Prosecco
• Gently stir once
• Garnish with pomegranate seeds and an orange twist

Mocktail Version Bright Berry Bubbler

Cranberry juice combined with rosemary syrup and club soda creates a festive alcohol-free sparkler.

Ingredients:

• Prosecco (4 oz)
• Vanilla simple syrup (0.5 oz)
• Pear juice (2 oz)
• Snow sugar for rim
• Fresh pear slice for garnish

Preparation:

• Rim a champagne flute with snow sugar
• Pour vanilla simple syrup and pear juice into the flute
• Top with chilled Prosecco
• Stir gently to combine
• Garnish with a thin pear slice on the rim

Mocktail Version Pear Snowfall

Sparkling water, vanilla simple syrup, and pear juice with the same elegant snow sugar rim.

Ingredients:

• Vodka (2 oz)
• Pear simple syrup (1 oz)
• Fresh ginger (muddled, thumb-sized piece)
• Fresh lemon juice (0.5 oz)
• Honey syrup (0.25 oz)
• Candied ginger for garnish

Preparation:

• Muddle fresh ginger in a cocktail shaker
• Add vodka, pear simple syrup, lemon juice, and honey syrup
• Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds
• Double strain into a chilled martini glass
• Garnish with candied ginger on a cocktail pick

Mocktail Version Golden Glow Spritz

Pear simple syrup, ginger syrup, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling water served over ice.

Ingredients:

• Vodka (2 oz)
• Gingerbread simple syrup (0.75 oz)
• Ginger beer (4 oz)
• Club soda (splash)
• Fresh lime juice (0.5 oz)
• Star anise for garnish
• Cinnamon stick (optional)

Preparation:

• Fill a copper mug or rocks glass with ice
• Add vodka, gingerbread simple syrup, and lime juice
• Top with ginger beer and a splash of club soda
• Stir gently
• Garnish with star anise and cinnamon stick

Mocktail Version Orchard Mule Zero

Gingerbread syrup, ginger beer, lime juice, and club soda with the same aromatic garnish.

Ingredients:

• Bourbon (2 oz)
• Ginger liqueur (0.75 oz)
• Fresh lemon juice (0.75 oz)
• Honey syrup (0.5 oz)
• Egg white (1)
• Angostura bitters for garnish

Preparation:

• Dry shake (without ice) all ingredients for 15 seconds to create foam
• Add ice and shake vigorously for another 15 seconds
• Double strain into a coupe glass
• Let foam settle and add 3 drops of Angostura bitters on top
• Use a cocktail pick to create a decorative pattern in the foam

Mocktail Version Spiced Winter Fizz

Spiced ginger-honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, club soda, and aquafaba foam (chickpea liquid as egg white substitute).

Ingredients:

• Bourbon (2 oz – recommend high-rye bourbon)
• Maple syrup (0.25 oz – pure grade A)
• Black walnut bitters (3 dashes)
• Smoked cinnamon stick for garnish
• Orange peel

Preparation:

• Add maple syrup and black walnut bitters to a rocks glass
• Add a large ice cube
• Pour bourbon over ice and stir for 30 seconds
• Express orange peel oils over the drink and drop into glass
• Garnish with a smoked cinnamon stick
• Pro tip: To smoke the cinnamon stick, carefully toast it with a kitchen torch

Ingredients:

• Rye whiskey (2 oz)
• Fig simple syrup (0.5 oz)
• Orange bitters (2 dashes)
• Orange peel
• Fresh fig slice
• Fresh thyme sprig

Preparation:

• Combine rye whiskey, fig simple syrup, and orange bitters in a mixing glass
• Add ice and stir for 30-40 seconds
• Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube
• Express orange peel over the drink
• Garnish with fresh fig slice and thyme sprig

Ingredients:

• Chocolate whiskey (2 oz)
• Smoked simple syrup (0.25 oz)
• Aztec chocolate bitters (2 dashes)
• Toasted marshmallow for garnish
• Chocolate shavings

Preparation:

• Add smoked simple syrup and Aztec chocolate bitters to a rocks glass
• Add a large ice cube
• Pour chocolate whiskey and stir for 20 seconds
• Toast a marshmallow with a kitchen torch until golden
• Place toasted marshmallow on a cocktail pick and rest across the glass
• Sprinkle chocolate shavings on top

Ingredients:

• Dark chocolate (2 oz – 70% cacao, finely chopped)
• Heavy cream (1 oz)
• Whole milk (6 oz, heated)
• Bourbon (1.5 oz)
• Brown sugar (1 tsp)
• Chocolate bitters (2 dashes)
• Toasted marshmallow for garnish
• Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation:

• Heat milk in a saucepan until steaming (do not boil)
• Add chopped dark chocolate and brown sugar, whisking until melted
• Stir in heavy cream and bourbon
• Add chocolate bitters
• Pour into a heat-safe mug
• Top with toasted marshmallow and optional whipped cream

Mocktail Version Fireside Classic

Dark cocoa, brown sugar, vanilla extract, milk and cream topped with whipped cream for a decadent non-alcoholic treat.

Ingredients:

• Hot chocolate (8 oz – premium blend)
• Peppermint schnapps (1.5 oz)
• Mini marshmallows
• Candy cane for garnish
• Whipped cream
• Crushed candy cane for rim

Preparation:

• Prepare rich hot chocolate according to package or recipe
• Rim mug with chocolate syrup and crushed candy cane
• Pour hot chocolate into mug
• Stir in peppermint schnapps
• Top with whipped cream and mini marshmallows
• Garnish with a whole candy cane

Ingredients:

• Hot brewed coffee (6 oz – strong roast)
• Irish cream liqueur (1 oz)
• Frangelico (0.75 oz)
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate drizzle
• Crushed Oreo cookie (optional)

Preparation:

• Brew strong, hot coffee
• Pour into an Irish coffee glass
• Add Irish cream and Frangelico, stirring to combine
• Top with generous dollop of whipped cream
• Drizzle chocolate syrup over the whipped cream
• Optional: sprinkle crushed Oreo on top

Ingredients:

• Vanilla vodka (2 oz)
• White chocolate liqueur (1 oz)
• Clear crème de cacao (0.5 oz)
• Heavy cream (1 oz)
• Snow sugar for rim
• White chocolate shavings for garnish

Preparation:

• Rim a chilled martini glass with snow sugar
• Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
• Shake vigorously for 20 seconds until well-chilled
• Strain into the prepared martini glass
• Garnish with white chocolate shavings

Ingredients:

• Fresh brewed espresso (1 oz, cooled)
• Vodka (1.5 oz)
• Kahlúa (0.75 oz)
• Gingerbread simple syrup (0.5 oz)
• Cold foam (optional)
• Cinnamon powder for garnish

Preparation:

• Brew fresh espresso and let cool slightly
• Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
• Shake hard for 20 seconds to create foam
• Strain into a chilled martini glass
• Optional: top with sweet cold foam
• Dust with cinnamon powder
• Garnish with three espresso beans

Mocktail Version Midnight Cinnamon

Espresso, gingerbread syrup, and cold foam create a sophisticated coffee drink without alcohol.

Ingredients:

• Vodka (2 oz)
• Peppermint schnapps (1 oz)
• Crème de cacao (0.75 oz)
• Heavy cream (0.5 oz)
• Crushed candy cane for rim
• Mini candy cane for garnish

Preparation:

• Rim martini glass with chocolate syrup and crushed candy cane
• Add all ingredients to shaker with ice
• Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
• Strain into prepared glass
• Hang mini candy cane on rim

Ingredients:

• Gin (2 oz – floral gin recommended)
• Plum purée (1 oz)
• Fresh lemon juice (0.5 oz)
• Violet syrup (0.5 oz)
• Edible flowers or sugared plum for garnish

Preparation:

• Add gin, plum purée, lemon juice, and violet syrup to shaker
• Fill with ice and shake for 15 seconds
• Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
• Garnish with edible flowers or a sugared plum slice

Mocktail Version Sugar Plum Sparkle

Plum nectar, violet syrup, lemon juice, and tonic water for a floral, alcohol-free sipper.

Ingredients:

• Vodka (2 oz)
• Frangelico (1 oz)
• Cocoa syrup (0.5 oz)
• Heavy cream (1 oz)
• Chocolate curl for garnish
• Cocoa powder for dusting

Preparation:

• Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice
• Shake well for 20 seconds
• Strain into a chilled martini glass
• Top with a chocolate curl
• Dust rim with cocoa powder

Ingredients:

• Gin (2 oz – botanical gin preferred)
• Rosemary simple syrup (0.75 oz)
• Fresh grapefruit juice (1 oz)
• Tonic water (2 oz)
• Fresh rosemary sprig
• Grapefruit wheel

Preparation:

• Fill a wine glass with ice
• Add gin, rosemary syrup, and grapefruit juice
• Stir gently
• Top with tonic water
• Garnish with fresh rosemary sprig and grapefruit wheel
• Gently slap the rosemary sprig before garnishing to release oils

Mocktail Version Evergreen Tonic

Grapefruit juice, rosemary syrup, and tonic water with fresh herb garnish.

Ingredients:

• Gin (2 oz)
• Thyme-honey syrup (0.75 oz)
• Fresh lime juice (0.75 oz)
• Club soda (splash)
• Fresh thyme sprig
• Lime wheel

Preparation:

• Add gin, thyme-honey syrup, and lime juice to shaker with ice
• Shake for 15 seconds
• Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice
• Top with a splash of club soda
• Garnish with fresh thyme sprig and lime wheel

Mocktail Version Thyme to Shine

Lime juice, honey-thyme syrup, and soda water for a refreshing herbal mocktail.

Ingredients:

• Vodka (2 oz)
• Fresh cranberry juice (2 oz)
• Sage simple syrup (0.75 oz)
• Fresh lemon juice (0.5 oz)
• Fresh sage leaves (2-3)
• Fresh cranberries for garnish
• Sugared lemon wheel

Preparation:

• Muddle fresh sage leaves in a shaker
• Add vodka, cranberry juice, sage syrup, and lemon juice
• Add ice and shake vigorously
• Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice
• Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sugared lemon wheel

Mocktail Version Sageberry Smash

Cranberry juice, sage syrup, and lemon juice with the same beautiful garnish.

Ingredients:

• Tequila or Mezcal (2 oz)
• Fresh orange juice (2 oz)
• Orange liqueur (0.5 oz)
• Chocolate bitters (2 dashes)
• Cinnamon simple syrup (0.5 oz)
• Salt for rim
• Orange slice
• Cinnamon stick

Preparation:

• Rim rocks glass with salt
• Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice
• Shake well for 15 seconds
• Strain over fresh ice in prepared glass
• Garnish with orange slice and cinnamon stick

Ingredients:

• Empress Gin (2 oz – color-changing gin)
• Crème de Violet (0.5 oz)
• Simple syrup (0.5 oz)
• Fresh lemon juice (0.75 oz)
• Egg white (1) (or aqua faba for a vegan alternative)
• Edible flowers for garnish

Preparation:

• Dry shake all ingredients without ice for 10 seconds
• Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds
• Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
• Watch the cocktail change color as lemon interacts with the gin
• Garnish with edible flowers on the foam

Ingredients:

• Citrus vodka (2 oz)
• Pomegranate simple syrup (0.75 oz)
• Ginger ale (2 oz)
• Cranberry juice (1 oz)
• Fresh cranberry garland spear
• Lime wedge

Preparation:

• Fill a highball glass with ice
• Add citrus vodka, pomegranate syrup, and cranberry juice
• Top with ginger ale
• Stir gently
• Thread fresh cranberries on a cocktail pick to create a garland
• Garnish with cranberry garland and lime wedge

Ingredients:

• Vodka (2 oz)
• White cranberry juice (1 oz)
• Orange liqueur (0.5 oz)
• Cranberry bitters (2 dashes)
• Sugared cranberries for garnish
• Orange twist

Preparation:

• Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice
• Stir for 30 seconds
• Strain into a chilled martini glass
• Garnish with sugared cranberries on a pick and an orange twist

Ingredients:

• Tequila (2 oz – reposado recommended)
• Pomegranate simple syrup (1 oz)
• Fresh ginger (muddled, small piece)
• Fresh lemon juice (1 oz)
• Salt for rim (optional)
• Candied ginger for garnish
• Pomegranate seeds

Preparation:

• Muddle fresh ginger in a shaker
• Add tequila, pomegranate syrup, and lemon juice
• Shake with ice for 15 seconds
• Strain into a rocks glass (salted rim optional)
• Garnish with candied ginger and pomegranate seeds

Ingredients:

• Premium eggnog (3 oz)
• Brandy or bourbon (2 oz)
• Vanilla extract (dash)
• Fresh nutmeg for garnish
• Cinnamon stick

Preparation:

• Add eggnog, brandy, and vanilla to a shaker with ice
• Shake vigorously for 20 seconds
• Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass
• Grate fresh nutmeg over the top
• Garnish with a cinnamon stick