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11 Hot Christmas Cocktails for Holiday Indulgence

May 29, 2022 by Helena Lombard

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It’s Christmas, which means cozy nights in and Christmas charades with friends. If it is so cold that even your sweater needs a sweater, it’s time to mix up some hot Christmas cocktails to bring back the festive cheer. These 11 cocktails are served warm and are sure to be a hit with your guests. You never know—it might even warm the cockles of your mother-in-law’s heart.  

1. Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy Cocktails

Yeah, we know it’s been a long holiday. We understand. It happens to all of us every festive season. And we keep going back for more. Lunacy!  

Take a step back from the Christmas chaos and make a Hot Toddy cocktail. It will give everyone that lovely glowy feeling and is the ideal drink to sip on slowly while you recover from the day’s compulsory family holiday itinerary. Made with bourbon, lemon, sugar, spices, and boiling water, this warm holiday drink can be customized with your favorite alcohol and fruit flavors. It’s the perfect nightcap to serve just before sneaking off to the privacy and quiet of your bedroom

2. Werther’s Hot Toddies

You’re doing it wrong if you’re not unbuttoning the top of your pants after a Christmas meal. Go on and give in to the indulgence (it’s only once a year) and make a Werther’s Hot Toddy.  

This one is for the sweet tooth in your family. Made with Werther’s Original candies and caramel, this is one indulgent hot toddy, and it’s easy to do. Rim serving mugs with crushed candies. Combine water, more candy, and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan over medium heat and simmer until the candy has melted. Take off the heat and add lemon juice and bourbon. Pour into prepared mugs and enjoy!

3. Mexican Hot Chocolate

Rich and creamy Mexican Hot Chocolate with marshmallow garnish

If it’s extra chilly outside, we suggest making a velvety smooth Mexican Hot Chocolate. Made with reposado tequila, real Mexican chocolate, and spiced milk, this recipe is everything if you’re looking for delicious warm Christmas cocktails that can be made in a batch. It’s rich, warm, very inviting, and one of the best after-dinner drinks you’ll make this season.  

The magic ingredient for this warm Christmas drink is authentic Mexican chocolate. It’s made with cacao nibs, cinnamon and a hint of sugar, so it’s not overly sweet but richer in flavor. We also have options for you to turn this into a vegan’s dream cocktail, so you can score some brownie points and cater for them too. Intensely rich and packed with all the right spices, this dessert cocktail will melt away the cold

4. Hot Pumpkin Pie

Indulgent Hot Pumpkin Pie drinks with marshmallows and cinnamon

The Hot Pumpkin Pie is the happy ending (to Christmas) that you’ve been looking for. Up your festive season game with a thick and creamy dessert cocktail that basically tastes like liquid pumpkin pie.  

To make one, warm up milk, Irish cream, and vodka or rum in a pot. Once simmering, stir in pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice, then ladle into mugs and top with cool whip or whipped cream. Simple, delicious, and very moreish, it might be the most comforting thing you’ve ever tasted.

5. Old Fashioned Eggnog

Old Fashioned Eggnog is a spin-off of the original Eggnog recipe. Expect a creamier drink with stronger hints of spice with the same taste of the traditional that you’ve come to love. Feel free to use store-bought eggnog, heat it up and add bourbon for a speedier version. We won’t tell anyone if you don’t.  

Making Eggnog is an act of love. We suggest playing your favorite Christmas carols while you make this recipe – you’re going to be stuck by your stovetop for around 40 minutes while you make your own Eggnog. Do this by warming up heavy cream, vanilla, nutmeg, and milk over medium heat. Once simmering, remove it from the heat and leave the flavors to develop for as long as you can—half an hour should do the trick. Next, strain the spiced cream mixture, remove the whole spices, and then add it to the pot to warm up again. Mix this with egg yolk (whisked with sugar and salt), bring it back to a simmer, and cook until creamy and thick (around 10 minutes). Cool the pot over a bowl filled with iced water, stirring occasionally, then add more milk, bourbon, or cognac. Finally, you’re going to fold in some whipped egg whites, and you’re done! Ladle into Old Fashioned glasses and sprinkle over some nutmeg for extra festive cheer.  

6. Hot Apple Cider

Front view of Hot Apple Cider Cocktail garnished with Cinnamon sticks and an apple slice

Cozy up with a mug of Hot Apple Cider and bourbon. As far as warm alcoholic Christmas drinks go, it’s one of our favorites. We love it for its rich caramel and vanilla flavors that blend perfectly with the sweetness of apple cider and the tartness of the lemon. Spice it up with cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and even thyme. If you have kids running around, make an Apple Cider mocktail—it will be just as satisfying as the original.    

7. Classic Hot Buttered Rum

Hot maple buttered rum

Mmmm. Hot buttered rum. The name alone makes our mouth water. Rich, creamy and sweet, it’s a cozy cocktail best enjoyed next to a roaring log fire. Made with salted butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, dark rum, and boiling water, it’s a recipe that begs to be adapted. We have a few varieties of Hot Buttered Rum that you can experiment with. 

The taste might remind you a little bit of spiked apple cider. The addition of dark rum and spiced butter gives this after-dinner cocktail its fantastic depth of flavor. Adding butter to a cocktail might seem over the top, but it is Christmas after all! You can even go as far as topping this drink with whipped cream. So be a little extravagant and surprise your guests with this super satisfying drink.   

8. Warm Christmas Cocktail

Warm Christmas Cocktails are great for the masses because you can make a batch and keep it warm on the stove, ready to ladle up when your guests arrive. This indulgent bourbon-based cocktail is packed with coconut, caramel, and vanilla flavors.  

In a pot and warm up milk, coconut milk, brown sugar, and vanilla pods to make a batch. Once it’s simmering, whisk the mixture until frothy. Next, add bourbon to a mug, pour over the warm milk mixture and sprinkle over some nutmeg. Serve this warm holiday drink if you’re looking for something a little different that everyone will love. And if they’re picky, let them pour their own with a choice of their favorite liquor—rum and brandy work just as well as bourbon.  

9. Hot Milk Punch

If you’re not feeling the eggnog vibes this year (no judgment here), try your hand at something new. We’re talking about one of the oldest cocktails out there, and once you have your first sip, Hot Milk Punch might become your go-to warm drink of the season.  

As rich in history as it is in taste, you need very basic ingredients to pull it off. Milk, bourbon, brandy, simple syrup, vanilla, and nutmeg are the stars of the show, and you can choose to serve it creamy or clarified. We prefer the creamy version because it takes a little less effort and will leave you more time to mingle with (or hide from) your family.  

10. Mulled Wine

Mugs of Mulled Wine

Mulled Wine is a classic cocktail with a long history dating back to Roman times. It’s a well-traveled drink popular across the world. In Germany, it’s known as Glühwein. In Scandinavian countries, they glug down some Glögg. In Italy, they drink Vin Brule, and Bisschopiswijn is the Dutch version of this warm holiday drink 

As far as hot holiday alcoholic drinks go, this is one of our favorites for its simplicity. For a drink that will put the merry back into Christmas, combine dry red wine, brandy, fresh oranges, and spices in a pot. Sweeten to your preference, and once bubbling away, turn down the heat and ladle into mugs as your guests arrive.  

11. Irish Coffee

Irish coffee topped with cream

Although not technically Christmassy, the Irish Coffee is on our list of best hot holiday drinks because we love whiskey, and we love coffee. When combined with sugar and topped with cream, every sip will make you feel like the order has been restored. This iconic cocktail is the perfect serve to perk up everyone’s Christmas spirits at the end of a long day.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Eggnog remains the most popular drink in the US and is served in over 27 states. Hot Buttered Rum is also a firm favorite and is taking the US by storm.  

It depends where in the world you find yourself. In Scotland, the Hot Toddy is the drink of choice. Italians sip on Bombardino (Italian Eggnog), in Spain, they drink Cocquitos, which is a creamy coconut-based drink, and Germans enjoy Feuerzangenbowle (also known as German Fire Punch). 

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