Toast the season: Best holiday drinks to serve

With Christmas right around the corner, many people have already started planning their perfect Christmas day lunch or dinner. However, if you need some drink inspiration, here are a few of the best holiday drinks, festive season cocktails and drinks you will love. 

Mulled Wine

Starting off with a classic, mulled wine has been the drink of choice for countless people once December starts. It’s spicy, hot, a bit zingy, and the ideal way to warm you up on a cold evening. 

Combine your favorite red wine, such as a bottle of Tempranillo red wine, with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and a few slices of orange. Heat it up in a pan and enjoy this delicious and super-fragant European favorite. 

Chrismas Punch 

A punch is always a fun and simply drink choice for any occasion. You can add whatever you like the most, throw in some ice, and you have a drink your guests will love. A Christmas punch is the perfect drink for any Summer Christmas party. 

Mix a cup and a half of vodka with a bottle of prosecco or Champagne in a large bowl, add ice, and then mix in some cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, and clementine juice. Add some fruit to top it off, and now you have a delicious and refreshing Summer Christmas drink. One of the best holiday drinks for any party!

Spiked Eggnog

Another Christmas classic is Eggnog, and if you want to take it to the next level, throw in a shot or two of rum, bourbon, or whisky. Spiked Eggnog has all the delicious creaminess you come to expect, but with the warmth of a spirit that balances it perfectly. Eggnog can also be served warm, making it the perfect after-dinner drink on Christmas day. 

Milk Punch

Milk Punch is widely regarded as one of the oldest cocktails on record, and is similar to Eggnog. However, for Milk Punch, you simply combine milk, a dash of vanilla, some sugar, and a spirit of your choice. 

While something like bourbon or rum is the norm, you can also use whiskey or something similar. It can also be served hot, but is usually poured over ice. 

Christmas Moscow Mule

A Moscow Mule is another crowd favorite, but to fit it into the Christmas theme, adding cranberry juice will make it your new holiday favorite. Combine the juice with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, and top it off with some fresh cranberries. 

What is great about this version is that it is also perfect for Summer and hot days, as it is incredibly refreshing and fairly easy to make. 

Hot Buttered Rum

While it may sound like something straight out of Harry Potter, Hot Buttered Rum is a sumptuous warming drink that combines rum with hot water, and a slab of spiced butter packed with cinnamon, brown sugar, and nutmeg. 

The butter creates a creamy texture that is perfect for when you are sitting in front of the fireplace after a long day out in the cold. 

Spiked Apple Cider

Apple Cider is a classic American drink that is enjoyed year-round, but once the festive season rolls in, you can take it to the next level by adding bourbon or spiced rum to give it a kick you didn’t know it needed. 

Throw in a couple of sticks of cinnamon, a few cloves, and a slice or two of orange, and you have a spicy, zesty drink that you will want to have every day. 

Christmas Sangria 

Sangria is already one of the best party drinks out there thanks to its easy recipe and the fact that you can make it in larger batches ahead of time. However, there is a delicious way to give it a Christmas spin. 

Adding in some brandy and cranberry juice not only takes the flavor to the next level, but it screams Christmas with its bright and seasonal colors, and refreshing and tangy taste. I love Sangria, this has to be one of the best holiday drinks!

Wassail

Wassail is a festive Winter drink that is enjoyed during the festival of the same name. Often referred to as the tastier big cousin of Apple Cider, Wassail includes cloves, apple, cinnamon, lemon, orange, ginger, and nutmeg. 

If you want to make it alcoholic, simply add a hard liquor such as brandy, bourbon, whiskey, or spiced rum. Both versions are delicious, with the non-alcoholic version being something you could even enjoy over breakfast. 

Kahlua Hot Chocolate 

Hot chocolate is easily one of the most common drinks to enjoy once the snow starts to fall, and there is easily no better way to spice it up than by adding a healthy dose of Kahlua into the mix. 

While most types of cream liqueur will work, Kahlua adds its unique taste to a drink that matches perfectly with it. 

Brandy Hot Toddy

Finally, a simple twist on a Winter favorite, a Brandy Hot Toddy combines the soothing warmth of spices, lemon, and honey, with the kick of a shot of brandy or whiskey. It is not only one of the best ways to combat the cold, but it is also a naughty solution if you have the Winter sniffles. 

Check out my Christmas food gift guides for more inspiration. I would love to know your best holiday drinks in the comments below.