While I’m not planning on hosting a major holiday party this year, I’ll definitely be inviting friends over for a few casual hangs throughout the month, including a wreath-making craft night with some festive winter drink recipes that I’m especially pumped about. Usually, I’ll ask friends to bring a bottle of wine and call it a day. But the holidays call for sips that are a bit more festive in the form of pretty, flavor-packed, and often boozy winter drinks.
At Thanksgiving, I made a big pitcher of spiked eggnog, and just that one special touch made the day feel extra special. And this past weekend, I threw some apple cider in the crockpot and sipped on it throughout the day while my husband and I decorated for Christmas.
Thankfully, the internet is brimming with genius winter drink ideas for serving a crowd, and I’ve rounded up the most delicious ones here. Scroll on for holiday bevs that will get your guests in the spirit, STAT.
Maple Bourbon Punch
Why We Love It: This maple bourbon punch is perfect for a crowd as it serves 8-12 and is easily doubled. The flavors are warm and festive, making each sip super seasonal.
Hero Ingredient: The honey is perfectly soothing and sweet.
Hot Chocolate Board
Why We Love It: A hot chocolate board will be the main attraction at any holiday party. Find out what toppings you will need, plus the best homemade hot chocolate recipe here.
Hero Ingredient: All the marshmallows your heart desires.
Delicately Fragrant Mulled Cider from Food52
Why We Love It: This mulled cider goes lighter on the spices so you can really appreciate apple flavors, with hints of pear, ginger, and citrus. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, as you can leave it simmering in a slow cooker all day and pour it just as the guests arrive.
Hero Ingredient: A single perfect pear.
Slow Cooker Gingerbread Pumpkin Lattes from Kitchen Treaty
Why We Love It: Watch out Starbucks PSL, these lattes are truly a hug in a mug. Make this recipe for any holiday brunch and your guests will be begging for more… especially since they will be hyped up on caffeine.
Hero Ingredient: The ginger spice takes this recipe from a classic pumpkin spice latte to a holiday staple.
Holiday Pear Mulled Wine from Reluctant Entertainer
Why We Love It: This recipe is perfect for impromptu guests, as it comes together in only 20 minutes. Made with red wine, pear, and cinnamon sticks, it’s my new favorite way to warm up.
Hero Ingredient: I’m a sucker for a cinnamon stick.
Creamy, Spicy, Hot Buttered Rum from SomeTyme Place
Why We Love It: Warm buttered rum is one of those winter drink recipes that can double as dessert. This recipe uses good butter, more spices than traditional recipes, and skips the ice cream, making it extra good, and extra festive, while not being too heavy.
Hero Ingredient: Any excuse to drink butter is a win for me.
Pomegranate Spice Champagne Cocktails
Why We Love It: Nothing is more festive than champagne, and this recipe is a delicious way to put a good bottle to use. The pomegranate not only flavor but a festive red color to the drink, making it just as pretty as it is tasty.
Hero Ingredient: Pomegranates, please.
Homemade Eggnog from Will Cook For Friends
Why We Love It: Eggnog will always be one of the classic winter drink recipes, and this homemade recipe skips all of the artificial stuff and goes straight to the good stuff. It’s still got the classic decadent flavors, but it lets the flavors from the vanilla and nutmeg shine (as opposed to being masked by sugar).
Hero Ingredient: Can never go without nutmeg.
Cinnamon Bourbon Hot Toddy from Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: Warm, spicy, sweet… what more could you want in a winter cocktail? This hot toddy is made with a homemade simple syrup that’s infused with cinnamon and chilies. Traditional hot toddies supposedly started as a cure for the common cold, but now I just want a glass whenever the temperature is cold.
Hero Ingredient: The spiced cinnamon maple syrup is the homemade addition hot toddies have been needing.
Vegan Dirty Chai Tea Cocktail from Abbey’s Kitchen
Why We Love It: I’m kicking myself for not thinking of adding booze to chai tea sooner. This is another recipe that is perfect for both boozy brunches and delicious desserts. Not to mention, it’s vegan, so all of your guests can enjoy it.
Hero Ingredient: The chai tea is amazing as is, and even more amazing in this recipe.
Herbal Infused Bourbon Apple Cider
Why We Love It: Apple cider and bourbon are one cool weather combo that you can always count on when looking for some fun company on a crisp winter day, or some liquid courage before your next big family gathering over the holidays. This recipe is infused with honey-thyme simple syrup is surprisingly so easy to make.
Hero Ingredient: The honey-thyme simple syrup makes this a 10/10.
Boozy Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Why We Love It: As Camille says, “This stuff is Christmas in a cup: part party cocktail, part dessert, all bundled up into one delicious sip.” It’s made with peppermint extract and is delicious with or without the booze.
Hero Ingredient: Good ole pure peppermint extract.
Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail from Garlic Head
Why We Love It: This recipe adds four secret spices to a traditional White Russian cocktail to give it that beloved gingerbread flavor. It’s guaranteed to warm you from the inside out and happens to be vegan. This recipe is for one, but the recipe card is easily manipulated to double and triple it.
Hero Ingredient: The coconut cream adds a decadent flavor and keeps this recipe vegan.
Winter Sangria Two Ways from Fraîche Living
Why We Love It: Sangria isn’t just for summer. This post includes two ways to make sangria with winter flavors: one with red wine, and one with white wine. Both can be thrown together in five minutes, serve five, and can be easily doubled. Both of these winter drink recipes taste as festive as they look.
Hero Ingredient: The garnishes make these recipes shine.
Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail from Half Baked Harvest
Why We Love It: This cocktail is a blend of vodka, St. Germain, winter citrus juice, and ginger beer… AKA my dream cocktail combo. It’s super simple and can be made with clementine, blood orange, or even grapefruit juice, depending on your preferences.
Hero Ingredient: St. Germain gives this recipe a sophisticated and refreshing taste.
What are your go-to winter drink recipes? Drop the recipes in the comments below.
