Which alcoholic drink is good for winter?

14 Easy Winter Cocktails to Make at Home

Published November 14, 2022 • Updated on November 25, 2025

1. French 75 Cocktail

The dapper French 75 cocktail is named after a French field gun used in World War I. This cocktail has the facade of a delicate drink with a deceptively strong kick. Created in New York, this prohibition classic is made with gin, Prosecco (or Champagne), lemon juice and simple syrup. Simply shaken up over ice and strained into a sugar-rimmed flute for all the glamor a French lady deserves.

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2. Mulled Wine

Winter is the season for long chilly walks, plates of comfort food and a glass of something delicious. Have you tried our Easy Mulled Wine recipe yet? It’s one of those easy to make winter cocktails. Simply simmer red wine in a crockpot with baking spices, a splash of brandy and sliced citrus. It’s tasty, warming and takes almost no effort to make. The bonus? It’s light on your pocket, which means it’s the perfect drink to serve if you’re on a festive season budget. Fuss-free hosting at its best!

You might also like: 10 Easy Thanksgiving Cocktails to Serve up This Holiday

3. Hot Toddy

Your list of easy winter cocktails should include the classic Hot Toddy. This simple cocktail can be whipped up in no time and is easy to make for a crowd. Bourbon gives this warm sip a comforting caramel flavor, especially when mixed with honey and spice. If bourbon isn’t your cup of tea, try it with rum or cognac. All the best cocktails are invented when you go off piste.

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4. Sidecar

This delicious, citrusy Sidecar cocktail combines cognac, orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice. It’s a downright delicious drink which is said to be the inspiration to a host of other classic cocktails, like the Margarita and the Cosmo.

You might also like: 8 Orange Liqueur Cocktails That Zest the Best

5. White Russian

A creamy White Russian is sure to stop a sweet craving in its tracks. To make this dreamy cocktail, you only need five minutes and three ingredients: coffee liqueur, SKYY Vodka and proper heavy cream. This classic cocktail will be a decadent treat any time of year.

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6. Pumpkin Pie Martini

Calling all pumpkin pie lovers! Learn how to make our spiced Pumpkin Pie Martini this winter. This tasty dessert cocktail is packed with decadence, with luscious Irish cream playing a starring role. This is combined with vanilla vodka, pumpkin purée and your favorite baking spices, and the result is the perfect after-dinner treat on a cold evening.

More pumpkin love: An Indulgent Hot Pumpkin Pie Cocktail for Thanksgiving

7. Tiramisu White Russian

If you love a White Russian, you’re going to want to try the Tiramisu version, it’s one of those easy cocktails for winter. It’s part cocktail, part dessert! Shake up 2 ounces of heavy cream and a teaspoon of sugar in a mason jar until it’s soft and peaky. Fill a tumbler with a handful of ice and stir in 2 ounces of both coffee liqueur and Appleton Estate Signature rum (opens in new window). Top with sweetened cream, dust with cocoa powder and dunk a ladyfinger cookie right into the middle of the drink.

More winter warmers: 11 Best Winter Cocktail Recipes (with Bourbon, Whiskey, Gin & More)

8. Brown Sugar Old-Fashioned

Looking for easy winter bourbon cocktails? Give our favorite Old Fashioned extra wintery richness. For an ultra-cozy cocktail, mix in the dark caramels of a brown sugar syrup and pair it with vanilla, pear and spiced Wild Turkey Bourbon (opens in new window). The rich sweet flavors will keep the winter blues at bay and it just feels downright old-fashioned.

More winter warmers: 11 Best Winter Cocktail Recipes (with Bourbon, Whiskey, Gin & More)

9. Hot Buttered Rum

A Hot Buttered Rum will wrap you up in its cozy warm blanket, and is best enjoyed fireside with friends, after long wintery walks. This sweet rum concoction can be made in a batch, so whip up the spiced caramel butter ahead of time and store it for a cold day. To make a Hot Buttered Rum, beat up some butter with brown sugar to sweeten along with your favorite wintery spices. Ready the kettle and add a spoon of spiced butter to each mug. Just pour in an ounce of rum with a little boiling water. Stir as it all melts into perfection. So moreish!

More rum drinkspiration: All the Hot Rum Cocktails You Will Ever Need

10. Blood Orange Margarita

The blend of sweet blood orange juice and cheeky bitter Campari makes for a heavenly Margarita. Our Blood Orange Margarita is perfect to enjoy when the winter season is abundant with this crimson fruit.

You might also like: What is the Best Margarita Recipe? 10 Ways to Make a Margarita

11. Negroni

The quintessential (and much-loved) Negroni is a must on our quick cocktail list! Just the kind of easy gin cocktails winter evenings need. It’s seriously simple to make with an easy to remember recipe of equal parts gin (opens in new window), Campari (opens in new window) and sweet red vermouth (opens in new window). Don’t miss out. Celebrate this cocktail with the rest of the globe!

You might also like: The Best 3-Ingredient Cocktails to Try at Home

12. Classic Martini

If you are a newbie to the whole cocktail making game, then the Classic Martini is an excellent place to start. You’ll look like a pro without breaking a sweat! It’s a simple mix of gin (opens in new window) and vermouth, with a garnish of either cocktail olives or a lemon twist. It loves being served icy cold, so give it a vigorous shake (or stir). Pour into a chilled V-shaped glass to experience its full deliciousness.

More Martini love: 14 Types of Martinis You Should Know

13. Chocolate Martini

When it’s cold out and the chocolate cravings start, it’s time to whip up a Chocolate Martini. This cocktail is the indulgent treat you can skip dessert for. It’s a quick martini to prepare with just three ingredients; chocolate liqueur, crème de cacao and SKYY Vodka. Serve it in a cocktail glass with cocoa-powder rim.

14. Amaretto Sour

If you love a classic Whiskey Sour as much as we do, then try our lovely Amaretto Sour. This classic winter cocktail is a blend of nutty almond-flavored liqueur, a good bourbon (opens in new window), lemon juice, bitters and an egg white froth. Serve this classic winter after-dinner drink with a gorgeous cheeseboard.

There you have it – 14 completely easy winter cocktail recipes to try at home when you need warming from the inside out!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

See where the mood takes you. Choosing a cocktail that suits you is quite personal. We have all the options here for you, some indulgent creamy dessert cocktails for chilly winter nights as well as zesty light cocktails that are perfect to serve with rich plates of comfort food. Take your pick :)