Christmas Drinks: Festive Sips for Every Moment of the Holiday

There’s something magical about the way Christmas brings people together—around the tree, around the table, and of course, around a well-crafted drink. Whether you’re hosting family, celebrating with friends, or enjoying a rare quiet moment by the fireplace, the right drink adds a sparkle to the season. Here are a few of our favourite Christmas drinks for every moment of the holiday, from Christmas Eve to the final cocktail of Christmas night. 

Christmas Eve Celebrations

Christmas Eve calls for something elegant and whimsical. Sparkling wine is the perfect choice—light, festive, and filled with joy! Try this Christmas Eve spritz:

• Prosecco or Sparkling wine. Dirty Laundry’s sparkling wine provides an excellent quality base to any elevated mimosa!
• A splash of St-Germain or cranberry liqueur
• Garnish with fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig. Tip: freeze the cranberries and rosemary in ice cube trays with a splash of water!

The result is a drink full of holiday cheer that sets the tone for a magical night. 

Light and Refreshing on Christmas Morning 

There’s no better way to ease into Christmas morning than with a classic mimosa—bright, refreshing, and simple. However, the traditional mimosa of sparkling wine and orange juice can easily be upgraded: 

• Use freshly squeezed orange juice instead of store bought. 
• Add a dash of Cointreau or Grand Marnier for an extra layer of warmth and citrus.
• Try a different kind of juice. If you prefer something more tart than the sweetness of orange juice, cranberry juice makes for a delicious option. 
• Drop a Maraschino cherry in the bottom of each champagne flute, adding a pop of colour and a sweet finish to the drink. 

An elevated mimosa is the perfect companion to gift-unwrapping, cinnamon rolls, and cozy pajamas.

Comfort and Warmth on Christmas Afternoon 

As the day settles into its rhythm, whether it’s a calm quiet or a joy-filled chaos, mulled wine becomes the drink of choice. Aromatic, cozy, and filled with spices, it tastes like Christmas in a cup.

Simmer red wine with:

• Cinnamon sticks
• Cloves
• Star anise
• Slices of orange
• A touch of honey or brown sugar
• Add brandy for an additional kick!

It warms cold hands and fills your home with the sweetest holiday aromas.

Check out our blog post last year on creating the perfect Christmas Day mulled wine!

A Crisp and Cold Alternative 

Hot drinks are not for everyone. So if a cold drink is your preference, use your red wine for a festive sangria instead, a twist on a summer classic. To your bottle of red wine, add:

• Cranberry juice
• Sliced oranges
• Sliced lemon
• Slice lime
• Fresh cranberries
• A splash of brandy
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish. 

Wines That Pair With Turkey

Christmas turkey deserves a wine that enhances its flavour without overwhelming it. Whether roasted, brined, or smoked, turkey pairs beautifully with:

• Chardonnay – buttery and elegant
• Sauvignon Blanc – crisp with herbal notes
• Pinot Noir – soft, fruity, wonderfully food-friendly
• Zinfandel – bold and spicy, ideal for hearty stuffing or glazed turkey

These wines bridge the richness of holiday sides while keeping the meal bright and balanced.

Close the Day with Cocktails

As the night winds down and the last crumbs of gingerbread linger on the plate, a cozy dessert cocktail makes the perfect ending. Enjoy these holiday classics as the visitors leave and the kids go to bed: 

Gingerbread Old Fashioned: A decadent match for gingerbread cookies or any other Christmas treat.

• Bourbon
• Gingerbread syrup (ginger, molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon)
• A dash of bitters
• Orange peel twist

Peppermint White Russian: Creamy dessert-in-a-glass.

• Vodka
• Coffee liqueur
• Cream
• Peppermint syrup
• Crushed candy cane rim.

Eggnog: A holiday staple.

• Milk
• Cream
• Eggs
• Sugar
• Nutmeg
• Spike with rum, bourbon, or brandy for a kick.
  
  

Snowflake Martini: Sweet, vanilla-forward, wintery.

• Vanilla vodka
• White chocolate liqueur
• Cream
• White sugar rim.
  
  

Hot Buttered Rum: Rich and warming.

• Rum
• Spiced butter mix (brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter)
• Hot water
  
  

Maple Bourbon Smash: Wintery and aromatic.

• Bourbon
• Lemon juice
• Maple syrup
• Muddled rosemary.

With the right drink in hand, every moment of the holiday season becomes a little brighter, a little warmer, and a little more memorable. Whether you love something sparkling, spiced, or richly aromatic, there’s a Christmas drink here to make your celebrations merry and bright!