It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And that means it’s time to celebrate with family, friends and a few of these bourbon Christmas cocktails.
Bourbon is a staple in any home bar. But did you know it’s also an excellent base for holiday-themed cocktail recipes?
Bourbon Christmas Cocktails & Drink Recipes
From classic old-fashioneds to fruity cocktails and glitzy champagne cocktails, there’s always something to love.
They’re festive, flavorful, and just the right amount of naughty – perfect for Christmas!
Plus, you can even have a mug of warm bourbon-spiked hot chocolate.
And if you haven’t tried that one yet, you need to check out this list!
Get ready to shake things up with these bourbon Christmas cocktails. Cheers!
1. Christmas Kentucky Buck
There’s no better time to enjoy a Kentucky buck than during the holidays!
This Christmas cocktail features a blend of bourbon, lemon juice, cranberry juice, and simple syrup.
It’s mixed with club soda for a satisfying fizz to amp up the fruity flavors. If you want it extra sweet, that’s nothing a spoonful of honey can’t do.
Serve it with a garnish of fresh cranberries for a more festive presentation.
Ingredients: bourbon, lemon juice, sugar & water, cranberry juice, club soda, cranberries
2. Ginger Peach Bourbon Buck
With the holiday season approaching, you need to start planning your party.
And this fruity ginger peach bourbon buck must be on your Christmas dinner table!
Each sip will leave your family & friends feeling energized and ready to party.
Ingredients: ginger beer, bourbon, pomegranate seeds, sugar cane syrup, Angostura bitters, water, peaches, lemons
3. Christmas Old-Fashioned
Are you on the hunt for something familiar yet festive to enjoy this Christmas? Try this holiday-themed twist on the classic old-fashioned.
Its full-bodied spice and citrusy hint make it an excellent choice for the holidays.
And it’s the one drink to sip while cozied up in front of the fireplace.
Ingredients: bourbon, bitters, orange juice, water, sugar, allspice berries, cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, orange peel
4. Bourbon Milk Punch
Bourbon, milk, vanilla, and simple syrup are all you need for the best Christmas cocktail.
The whole milk brings a creamy contrast to the warm oak and caramel notes of bourbon.
It has a rich, smooth flavor with a kick of alcohol that’ll make you feel warm and fuzzy.
Ingredients: bourbon, milk, sugar & water, vanilla, ice
5. Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour
There’s nothing like a little boozy kick to get you in the mood for Christmas.
And if you want to try something different, try this cinnamon maple whiskey sour!
It’s a little sweet with a bit of spice and a whole lot of richness.
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and make yourself a glass (or a full bottle)!
Ingredients: bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup or honey, cinnamon, ice
6. Winter Bourbon Smash
If you want a fruity, refreshing drink for the holidays, this cocktail recipe is for you!
This one is irresistibly delightful with bourbon, fruit preserves, and orange juice.
And it’s so simple and delicious you’ll be making them all season long.
Ingredients: bourbon, preserves, triple sec, orange juice, ice, club soda, orange segments
7. Bourbon Smash Cocktail | Whiskey Winter Smash (with Blueberries)
Get your holiday party started with this bourbon smash cocktail!
This festive drink features smashed lemons and blueberries with a dash of cinnamon.
The smashed fruit is strained and mixed with bourbon.
The result is a bright-flavored drink that elevates the warm notes of bourbon.
Ingredients: bourbon, blueberries, lemon, cinnamon, club soda, ice
8. Bourbon Coconut Milk Cocktail
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And that means one thing: it’s time to get your holiday drink on!
This white Christmas cocktail will complete your celebrations.
Mixed with brown sugar for added sweetness and nutmeg for spice, it’s such a nic sipper.
This creamy, boozy delight will make you wish for the holiday season to last all year.
Ingredients: bourbon, whole milk, coconut milk, brown sugar, vanilla, nutmeg
9. Seelbach Bourbon Champagne Cocktail
What’s the perfect drink to celebrate a special occasion? A sparkling Seelbach bourbon champagne cocktail!
It has a glitzy, golden color that’ll make your dinner table feel even more festive!
Add a garnish of orange twists for a bright, zesty kick. Trust me, this is the drink your family & friends will want to drink all night.
Ingredients: bourbon, Cointreau, Angostura bitters, Peychaud’s bitters, champagne, orange twist
10. Spiced Cinnamon Bourbon Hot Toddy
Soothe your soul with this rich, aromatic spiced cinnamon bourbon hot toddy.
Sweet, rich, and spicy, this drink combines classic hot toddy with spiced cinnamon maple simple syrup.
This comforting drink will surely keep you warm on chilly December nights.
Ingredients: bourbon, lemon, maple syrup or honey, water, cinnamon sticks, red chili pepper, red pepper flakes
11. Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate
Christmas isn’t complete without a mug of hot chocolate. But if you want to take it up a notch, add cooze to the mix!
This warming Christmas bourbon drink combines hot chocolate’s cozy deliciousness with a sweet and smoky kick.
It’s sweet, rich, and chocolatey. This drink will become your new comfort drink in no time.
Ingredients: bourbon, milk, cornstarch, cocoa powder, brown sugar, salt semi-sweet chocolate, vanilla
12. Bourbon Spiked Apple Cider
Something about the holidays makes me want to enjoy something warm and spiced.
And this bourbon-spiked apple cider is the perfect drink.
The sweet, crisp apple cider complements the warm oaky taste of bourbon.
It’s infused with cinnamon and star anise for a comforting depth of flavor.
Whether you serve it hot or cold, it’ll surely complete your Christmas celebration!
Ingredients: bourbon, apple cider, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, ginger, oranges, maple syrup or honey, ice
13. Cinnamon Spice Cherry 7UP® Spritzer
Bring some glitz to your holiday fete with this cinnamon spice cherry 7UP spritzer.
Sweet and rich, this drink is a fantastic blend of cherry, cinnamon, and bourbon.
This drink is the perfect balance of bright flavors and warm notes of spice.
The 7UP brings a fizzy kick so that every sip feels like a party in your mouth!
Ingredients: bourbon, cinnamon liqueur, tart cherry juice, 7UP, maraschino cherries, orange slice, pomegranate arils, cinnamon stick, ice
14. Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
When it comes to bourbon Christmas cocktails, you can’t beat cranberry with a hint of spice!
This festive drink boasts a blend of ginger beer, bourbon, and spiced cranberry juice.
It’s sweet, tart, and rich but not heavily spiced.
You’ll love how the flavors glide on your tongue with warmth and sweetness. Plus, it has a bright red color to match your Christmas decor.
Ingredients: bourbon, spiced cranberry juice, ginger beer, nutmeg
15. The Ultimate Holiday Sangria
Get in the season’s spirit with a sip (or a full pitcher or bottle) of this Christmas sangria.
It’s got the fruity essence of sangria and the sweet, dark flavor of red wine.
But it also has all the spice and warmth that makes this Christmas cocktail special.
Get ready for a holiday party like no other with this festive drink!
Ingredients: brandy, agave nectar, Grand Marnier, orange, lime, pear, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon stick, a bottle of dry red wine, ginger ale
16. Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail
If you want your holiday cocktail to be zesty yet sophisticated, this mix is for you.
The depth of bourbon is bold and pronounced but not overpowering.
It blends perfectly with the sweetness of maple syrup and orange essence from the bitters.
This drink is simple, but it packs a punch. It’s like Christmas served in a glass!
Ingredients: bourbon, Angostura bitters, maple syrup, orange peel, ice
17. Classic Bourbon Manhattan Cocktail
A classic cocktail is a thing of beauty, and you can never go wrong with it.
This bourbon Manhattan cocktail is the perfect drink if you want a familiar taste.
It’s made with three ingredients: bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters. The result is a smooth, full-bodied drink that’ll keep you delighted.
Serve it with a Maraschino cherry and orange peels for a sweet, citrusy hint.
Ingredients: bourbon, sweet vermouth, aromatic bitters, cherry & orange peel
18. Maple New York Sour
Bring the holiday cheer to your home with a glass of maple New York sour.
This elegant holiday cocktail combines bourbon, lemon juice, and maple syrup. You can add fruity red wine for an added sweet, dark taste.
The best part? This drink looks super fancy on the dinner table!
It has a deep amber color with a layered effect from the red wine.
Ingredients: rye whiskey, lemon juice, maple syrup, fruity red wine
19. Blood Orange Bourbon Sour Cocktail
Drink bourbon in style with this blood orange bourbon sour cocktail.
This Christmas cocktail is the perfect balance of sweet and sour, with enough depth from bourbon.
It’s fruity and festive but still classic enough to be enjoyed by all.
Give this one a try – I’m sure it’ll become a part of your holiday tradition!
Ingredients: bourbon, Cointreau, blood orange juice, sugar, egg white, lime, ice
20. Juicy Apple Bourbon Fall Cocktail
This cocktail packs apple juice’s fruity sweetness, balancing the oaky bourbon notes.
The maple syrup brings a decadent taste that ties all the flavors together.
This vibrant drink will get your party going until late in the evening.
It’s so good, you’ll forget that it has alcohol. Remind your family & friends (and yourself) to drink moderately!
Ingredients: bourbon, sugar & water, apple juice, maple syrup, lemon juice, apple slices
20 Best Bourbon Christmas Cocktails
These bourbon Christmas cocktails are the best part of the season! And while apple and cranberry are holiday fruits, I can’t resist this zippy lemon rosemary bourbon drink.
Ingredients
6 ounces bourbon
3 ounces fresh lemon juice
1 ounce dark maple syrup
1 large sprig of rosemary (plus 2 small sprigs for garnish)
Instructions
- Put the rosemary sprig in a cocktail shaker and gently press it with a cocktail spoon.
- Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Then, half-fill it with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into rocks glasses with ice and garnish with smaller rosemary sprigs.
