10 Christmas Drinks to Get Into the Holiday Spirit

10 Christmas Cocktails

1. Traditional Wassail 

For centuries, going back to Anglo-Saxon times, holiday revelers have wished each other, “Wes ha!”—Be Whole!—while sharing this drink. Wassail traditionally contained roasted apples, which would swell up and burst apart in the hot punch.

2. Light Wassail 

Even children will enjoy this spicy punch, which you can adapt as you wish. Taste as you go, adjusting the sugar to find a mixture you especially like.

3. Mulled Wine 

This creates a delightful aroma. Use burgundy or any other full-bodied wine. 

4. Cranberry Punch 

Chill all the ingredients before making this colorful holiday punch. If you prefer, use unsweetened cranberry/raspberry juice and sweeten to taste with superfine sugar.

5. Mulled Cider 

Hot cider fills the house with a delicious fragrance. Make it for brunch or just to have throughout a holiday.

6. George Washington’s Christmas Eggnog 

We get the word nog from “noggin,” a small, wooden cup that English tavern owners used for serving drinks. Once you taste homemade eggnog, you’ll never again settle for the variety sold in cartons. 

7. Nonalcoholic Eggnog 

From the chef: “This recipe has been served by my grandmother every Christmas I can remember. I’m spoiled on it now and cannot tolerate commercial eggnog. Enjoy!”

8. Ho, Ho, Ho Cocktail

Garnet red in color and filled with bubbles, our festive Ho, Ho, Ho Cocktail fairly shouts “Happy Holidays” from its glass.

9. Christmas Punch

This punch is not only pretty but flavorful as well. A very good nonalcoholic punch. Make plenty—it’ll go fast. 

10. New Year’s Day Holiday Punch 

If you prefer, substitute ginger ale for the champagne.

Get more delicious punch recipes for any occasion!

What are your favorite holiday beverages? Tell us in the comments below!