Best Cocktails for Holiday Parties: Classic and Unique Recipes
We've explored club and restaurant drink menus, scoured online recipes, and put together a selection of cocktails to impress guests on Christmas Eve or delight colleagues at the office holiday party.
This article contains recipes with high alcohol content. Remember, excessive alcohol consumption can harm your health.
Alcohol Classics
We've gathered recipes for timeless strong cocktails.
Long Island
A long drink mixing several spirits, the taste of cola, and the freshness of lemon. Served in a highball glass with ice.
What you need:
Vodka — 15 ml
Gin — 15 ml
Rum — 15 ml
Tequila — 15 ml
Lemon juice — 25 ml
Coca-Cola — 100 ml
How to mix: Start by adding crushed ice to the glass, then pour in vodka, gin, rum, and tequila. Add lemon juice and gently stir. Top with Coca-Cola and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Cocktail history: There are at least two versions of how this drink originated. One claims American moonshiner Charles Bishop mixed strong spirits with maple syrup to create a flavorful drink resembling tea in color during Prohibition. Another version suggests bartender Chris Bendiksen invented it while experimenting at a Smithtown nightclub in the late 20th century to find the ideal cocktail for strong spirit and citrus lovers.
Bloody Mary
A classic cocktail made with tomato juice, offering a spicy taste and distinctive aroma. Served in a highball glass with celery or lemon.
What you need:
Vodka — 50 ml
Tomato juice — 150 ml
Lemon juice — 15 ml
Worcestershire sauce — 2 drops
Tabasco — to taste
Salt and pepper — to taste
How to mix: In a shaker, combine vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, salt, and pepper. Shake well, then pour into a glass over ice, garnish with a celery stalk or lemon wedge.
Cocktail history: This drink's origins are also debated. Some believe it was first made in 1921 at Paris's Harry’s New York Bar when the innovative idea of packaged tomato juice arrived. Bartender Ferdinand Pichot mixed this juice with vodka, creating a flavorful concoction. Others attribute its invention to American actor George Jessel, who sought an effective hangover cure and concocted this mix of vodka and tomato juice.
Daiquiri
A light and refreshing cocktail with rum, lime, and sugar. Often served in a cocktail glass garnished with a lime wedge.
What you need:
White rum — 50 ml
Lime juice — 25 ml
Simple syrup — 15 ml
Ice — to taste
How to mix: In a blender or shaker, mix rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and blend thoroughly until smooth. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lime slice.
Cocktail history: In 1898, an American expedition led by engineer Jennings Cox arrived in the small Cuban port village of Daiquiri. Each day, Cox and his team mined copper and iron, and in the evenings, they relaxed with this exotic rum cocktail with lime and sugar. This recipe was remembered and later brought back to America. Often associated with former U.S. President John Kennedy, who was a big fan of this drink.
Daiquiri Variations
Strawberry Daiquiri — add a few fresh strawberries with the other ingredients.
Mango Daiquiri — replace lime juice with fresh mango juice.
Kiwi Daiquiri — swap lime out for kiwi.
Dark Daiquiri — use dark rum instead of light rum.
Moscow Mule
A long drink with vodka, ginger beer, and lime. Served in a copper mug with a straw.
What you need:
Vodka — 50 ml
Ginger beer or ale — 120 ml
Lime juice — 5 ml
How to mix: Add crushed ice to a copper mug, pour in lime juice and vodka, top with ginger beer. Stir with a bar spoon, garnish with a lime slice and mint.
Cocktail history: In the 1950s, there was a boom in Russian vodka in America, and around the same time, this unique cocktail, associated with the Russian spirit, became popular in pubs and bars. It was reportedly created to boost the sales of vodka and ginger beer at the time.
Light Cocktails
Four cocktails for those who prefer a milder spirit.
Aperol Spritz
A refreshing cocktail with a bright orange flavor, perfect for summer parties. Served in a wide glass with ice cubes and an orange slice.
What you need:
Aperol — 60 ml
Prosecco — 90 ml
Soda water — 30 ml
Ice — to taste
Orange slice for garnish
How to mix: Add ice cubes to a large glass, pour in Aperol, prosecco, and soda water. Gently stir and garnish with an orange slice.
Cocktail history: In 1919, in the city of Padua, brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri introduced a new aperitif, Aperol, made with bitter and sweet citrus, gentian, and other secret ingredients. It wasn't until the 1950s in Italy that they dared to mix Aperol with prosecco and soda, finding the combination to work perfectly.
Bellini
A delicate and fruity cocktail made with champagne and peach puree. Served in a tall glass.
What you need:
Champagne or sparkling wine — 100 ml
Peach puree — 50 ml
How to mix: Gently pour peach puree into a champagne glass, then slowly add champagne, preserving the bubbles. Stir carefully and serve.
Cocktail history: Originating in the 1940s in Venice and named after painter Giovanni Bellini, this cocktail quickly gained popularity thanks to its lightness and refined taste, symbolizing Italian culinary artistry.
Mojito
A classic Cuban cocktail with a refreshing mint and lime flavor. Served in a highball glass with plenty of ice and fresh mint.
What you need:
White rum — 50 ml
Lime juice — 25 ml
Simple syrup — 15 ml
Mint leaves — 10-12
Soda water — 100 ml
Ice — to taste
How to mix: Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup and lime juice in a glass. Add rum and ice, then stir gently, pour in soda water, and garnish with a mint sprig.
Cocktail history: The original creator of the Mojito is believed to be the legendary pirate Francis Drake, nicknamed The Dragon, who enjoyed mixing rum with burnt sugar. The modern recipe for Mojito appeared in 1910 at a Havana bar. It was initially called a Mojito smoothie, found in recipe books of "Sloppy Joe’s Bar" in Havana.
Margarita
A classic Mexican cocktail with a bright lime and tequila taste, perfect for a party. Served in a glass with a salted rim.
What you need:
Tequila — 50 ml
Lime juice — 25 ml
Cointreau or Triple Sec — 15 ml
Salt for rim
Ice — to taste
How to mix: Rim a glass with a lime slice and dip in salt. In a shaker, mix tequila, lime juice, and liqueur with ice. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
Cocktail history: The Margarita's origin story includes various legends. One suggests bartender Margarita Sames created it in 1948 at an exclusive event attended by Tommy Hilton, owner of Hilton Hotels. She mixed tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice, impressing Hilton, who spread the recipe across his hotel bars and restaurants.
Festive Cocktails
This selection features unique cocktails that will enhance any holiday celebration.
Pomegranate Mimosa
An elegant cocktail made with sparkling wine and refreshing pomegranate juice. Served in a champagne glass with pomegranate seeds.
What you need:
Champagne or sparkling wine — 100 ml
Pomegranate juice — 50 ml
Pomegranate seeds for garnish
How to mix: Pour pomegranate juice into a champagne glass, then gently add champagne, preserving bubbles, and garnish with pomegranate seeds.
Snow Angel
A strong but airy cocktail with a creamy texture and unique flavor. Served in a cocktail glass garnished with coconut flakes and berries.
What you need:
Vodka — 50 ml
Coconut liqueur — 30 ml
Cream — 30 ml
Coconut flakes — for garnish
Raspberries or strawberries — for garnish
How to mix: In a shaker, mix vodka, coconut liqueur, cream, and ice. Shake well, strain into a chilled glass, garnish with coconut flakes and berries.
Christmas Eggnog
A classic holiday cocktail made with eggs and milk and added spirits, perfect for the festive season. Served in a mug with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
What you need:
Egg — 1
Milk — 250 ml
Cream — 100 ml
Sugar — 30 g
Rum or bourbon — 50 ml
Nutmeg — for garnish
How to mix: Beat the egg with sugar until foamy. Gradually add milk and cream while whisking. Stir in rum or bourbon. Pour into mugs and sprinkle with nutmeg.
Cinnamon Apple Cider
Aromatic and warming cocktail made with apple cider, perfect for winter celebrations. Served in a mug with a cinnamon stick and apple wedge.
What you need:
Apple cider — 500 ml
Cinnamon stick — 1
Cloves — 2-3
Lemon juice — 15 ml
Apple wedge for garnish
How to mix: Heat apple cider with cinnamon stick and cloves in a saucepan over medium heat without boiling. Add lemon juice, let sit for 5-10 minutes. Pour into mugs, garnish with an apple wedge.
Mulled Wines and Punches
Warm and berry cocktails ideal for cozy gatherings and intimate evenings.
Apple and Honey Mulled Wine
Aromatic mulled wine with apple notes and honey sweetness, perfect for cold winter evenings. Served in a mug with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.
What you need:
Apple juice — 200 ml
Honey — 2-3 tablespoons
Cinnamon stick — 1
Cloves — 3-4
Apple — 1 (sliced)
How to mix: In a saucepan, combine red wine, apple juice, honey, cinnamon, and cloves. Heat over medium heat, without boiling. Add apple slices and allow to steep for 10-15 minutes, pour into mugs, and serve hot.
Orange and Ginger Mulled Wine
Spicy mulled wine with vibrant orange and ginger flavors that warm and elevate the mood. Served in a mug with orange slices and fresh ginger.
What you need:
Red wine — 750 ml
Water — 100 ml
Sugar — 50 g
Orange — 1 (sliced)
Ginger — 1 cm (grated)
Cinnamon stick — 1
Cloves — 3-4
How to mix: In a saucepan, combine red wine, water, sugar, orange slices, grated ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Heat over medium heat, without boiling. Let steep for 10-15 minutes, then pour into mugs and serve hot.
Berry Punch
A fruity punch with berries and a refreshing taste, perfect for holiday parties. Served in a large pitcher with fruit pieces and ice.
What you need:
Rum — 200 ml
Berry juice (raspberry or strawberry) — 300 ml
Lemon juice — 50 ml
Sugar — 50 g (optional)
Fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries) — to taste
Lemon — 1 (for garnish)
Ice — to taste
How to mix: In a large pitcher, combine rum, berry juice, lemon juice, and sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add ice and fresh berries, serve chilled.
Citrus and Ginger Punch
A refreshing punch with citrus notes and a touch of ginger spice, perfect for winter parties. Served in a large pitcher with citrus slices and ice.
What you need:
Vodka or rum — 200 ml
Orange juice — 400 ml
Lemon juice — 50 ml
Ginger syrup — 30 ml (or grated fresh ginger)
Soda water — 200 ml
Lemon and orange slices — for garnish
Ice — to taste
How to mix: In a large pitcher, combine vodka or rum, orange juice, lemon juice, and ginger syrup. Add ice and soda water, stir, and garnish with lemon and orange slices.
Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
These four cocktails are sure to please both adults and kids alike.
Sunny Orange
A vibrant cocktail with orange and carrot juices, offering a boost of energy and vitamins. Served in a tall glass with a citrus slice.
What you need:
Orange juice — 150 ml
Carrot juice — 100 ml
Lemon juice — 15 ml
Honey — 1 tbsp (optional)
Ice — to taste
Orange slice — for garnish
How to mix: In a shaker, combine orange juice, carrot juice, lemon juice, and honey. Add ice and shake well. Pour into glasses and garnish with an orange slice.
Non-Alcoholic Mojito
This refreshing cocktail has a vibrant mint and lime taste, perfect for summer parties and celebrations. Served in a highball glass with plenty of ice and fresh mint.
What you need:
Soda water — 200 ml
Lime juice — 30 ml
Simple syrup — 15 ml
Mint leaves — 10-12
Lime — 1 (for garnish)
Ice — to taste
How to mix: Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup and lime juice in a glass. Add ice and pour in soda water, gently stir, garnish with a lime slice and mint sprig.
Fruit Punch
A vibrant and flavorful non-alcoholic punch with rich fruit juice. Served in a large pitcher with fruit pieces and ice.
What you need:
Orange juice — 200 ml
Pineapple juice — 200 ml
Apple juice — 200 ml
Lemon juice — 50 ml
Soda water — 200 ml
Fresh fruits (orange, pineapple, strawberry) — for garnish
Ice — to taste
How to mix: In a large pitcher, combine all juices, add ice and soda water, stir gently, garnish the punch with pieces of fresh fruit, and serve chilled.
Rosemary Lemonade
An original and aromatic lemonade served in a large glass with a lemon slice and rosemary sprig.
What you need:
Lemon juice — 50 ml
Sugar — 30 g
Water — 300 ml
Fresh rosemary — 1-2 sprigs
Ice — to taste
Lemon slice — for garnish
How to mix: In a saucepan, combine water and sugar, bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Add rosemary sprigs and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain, add lemon juice, and chill. Serve with ice and a lemon slice.
Cocktails can turn even the most ordinary celebration into a unique party, especially when attendees mix the ingredients themselves or watch a bartender at work. Another great addition to any holiday event is the game "Secret Santa." Every participant secretly prepares a surprise for another, and in return, receives a gift. Play with a large group or a small team, both offline and online. Gifts can be extravagant or simple and budget-friendly.
Make the game easier and more fun with the service "mysanta.co." It's packed with great features: quick matchmaking, anonymous chats with your Santa and recipient, gift tracking, wish lists, a gift shop, and much more.
