’Tis the Season for Cracking Christmas Cocktails

Let’s set the scene, shall we? It’s a snowy evening. The fire is crackling. The kids are (finally) in bed, and parents are ready to settle down on the sofa with a festive film, with an equally festive cocktail as accompaniment.

See, as a kid, Christmas is all about presents, stockings and sugar, but as you grow up, priorities begin to change. And that’s where our Christmas cocktails come in! The perfect accompaniment to a warm fire and your favourite Christmas film, our cracking Christmas drinks are the ultimate festive treat. And you don’t have to be an expert, or even budding mixologist to make anything from our list of classic Christmas cocktails; everything we’ve including could be shaken, stirred, and sipped by a cocktail novice. These are easy Christmas cocktails, intended for minimum stress, but maximum enjoyment.

There’s something for any palate, too. From classic Christmas cocktails to more contemporary contenders for the best Christmas cocktails crown.

Download our Christmas Cocktail Recipes Guide Today

Looking for something to get you in the festive spirit? Make the most of the time at home and brush up on your bartending skills with our Christmas cocktail recipes. Download our full Christmas drinks infographic below, so you can be fully equipped with festive drinks for the holiday season.

Christmas Cocktails: What’s What?

Want to learn more about our Christmas alcoholic drinks? Before diving in, get to know the ins and outs of these easy Christmas cocktails – from the servings and flavours to the glasses you need to complete your favourite festive drink.

Preparation is key, and by following our simple guides, you’ll be wowing your guests with your Christmas cocktail skills in no time.

Christmas Whisky

Serves: 2

Glass: rocks glass

Garnish: fresh cranberries

A bona fide classic Christmas cocktail recipe! Bring together festive tones of sharp ginger and fresh cranberry with our whisky Christmas cocktail – it’s easy. Fill a shaker with ice and pour in some Glen Dhu whisky, ginger ale, cranberry juice and stir. Then, strain over ice and garnish with fresh cranberries! Perfect when served alongside a crackling fire and your favourite Christmas film.

Christmas Prosecco Cocktail

Serves: 8

Glass: champagne flute

Garnish: mint sprigs

A relatively new entrant, but genuine contender for the best Christmas cocktails throne. Toast the season with our prosecco Christmas cocktail – combining rich berry notes with sharp mint and raspberry liqueur. Simply mix together the prosecco, Chambord and pomegranate in a jug and pour into champagne flutes, garnishing with mint.

Festive Cocktails Top tip: Not a fan of pomegranate? Try cranberry or raspberry juice to find your favourite festive drink combination.

Christmas Sangria

Serves: 4

Glass: large wine glass

Garnish: orange wedge

A simple summer favourite, we’ve transformed this Spanish cocktail into a fun festive cocktail; guaranteed to delight your guests. Our Christmas sangria has a winter spice twist, combining warm ginger ale with fresh, fruity flavours. Simply mix together white wine, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, orange slices and pomegranate juice in a pitcher. Chill before serving and pouring in the ginger ale to maintain the fizz.

Mulled Wine

Serves: 4

Glass: heatproof glass or mug

Garnish: cinnamon stick

You hear ‘classic Christmas cocktails’, you think ‘mulled wine’. Nothing beats a warming glass of mulled wine in the winter – especially when the snow begins to fall. In a saucepan, gently heat all the ingredients together until the sugar has dissolved. Taste for sweetness, and if you think it needs more, add a little extra sugar. Then strain and pour into your glass or mug.

Festive Cocktails Top tip: Wondering what wine works best? Try out our SPAR Tempranillo – a Spanish red with spicy and ripe fruit flavours – the perfect notes for a festive drink.

Original Hot Toddy

Serves: 2

Glass: heatproof glass or mug

Garnish: star anise

The original hot toddy – another staple Christmas cocktail recipe. Pierce your lemon slices with the cloves, then combine the honey, lemon and cinnamon in a heatproof glass or mug. Top with the whisky and finish by adding the hot water to the glass and stirring together. Then garnish with star anise. This Christmas drink is the perfect winter warmer, with soothing and aromatic flavours. What more could you want?

Festive Cocktail Top tip: Fancy trying something new? Check out our 5 hot toddy recipes – including gin, rum, and apple variations!

Snowball

Serves: 2

Glass: highball glass

Garnish: maraschino cherry

A Christmas cocktail perfect for those seeking something with a smoother texture. This Christmas cocktail will go down like velvet, with a rich, creamy finish. One of the most classic Christmas drinks, a snowball is best served with cold, quality lemonade. Pour the lime juice over ice, then add the advocaat and lemonade. Stir gently until the glass is cold to touch and garnish with a cherry!

Festive Cocktails Top tip: For that extra frothy topping, make sure you pour the fizz in at a constant speed while stirring.

Mulled Gin

Serves: 4

Glass: heatproof glass or mug

Garnish: bay leaf and lemon slice

A Christmassy combination of sweet apple and festive spices, topped with a shot of delicious SPAR gin – what more could you want to see in the holiday? Simply simmer the ingredients over a low heat and pour over the gin in a heatproof glass or mug. Garnish with a bay leaf and lemon slice for a tasty Christmas alcoholic drink!

Moscow Mule

Serves: 2

Glass: copper mug or a highball glass

Garnish: sprig of mint and orange slice

The classic Moscow mule is a seasonal favourite, and a perfectly easy Christmas cocktail to add to your repertoire. But funnily enough, its origin has nothing to do with Moscow, or mules for that matter. Simply combine vodka, ginger beer, fresh lemon juice and orange juice to create this classic Christmas cocktail.

Festive Cocktails Top tip: We recommend using a copper mug for this one to keep your festive drink extra cold, but don’t worry if you don’t have one – you can use a highball glass instead!

Non-alcoholic Christmas Punch

Serves: 4

Glass: tall glass

Garnish: fresh mint leaves and slice of lime

Having a night off? Fancy something a little lighter? This Christmas cocktail is the perfect balance between fruity, festive flavours and sweetness – also perfect for the little ones! All you need is some SPAR orange juice, cranberry juice, soda water, a little fresh lime juice and some mint leaves to create this non-alcoholic masterpiece.

Pick up your Christmas Cocktail Supplies from SPAR

And there you have it, our selection of cracking, not to mention easy Christmas cocktails you have to try this holiday season. So, get cosy and treat yourself to a deliciously festive cocktail while you wait for Santa. (And maybe prepare a Christmas cocktail for him, too.) Find all the deals and groceries you need to complete your Christmas cocktail menu at your local SPAR today.

Getting in the spirit? For more festive inspiration, check out our Christmas recipes. Or sign up to our E-newsletter to receive all the seasonal updates, recipes, and competitions – you won’t want to miss out!

Merry Christmas, from SPAR.