8 Best Cocktails for the Holidays in 2024
Holiday Cocktails Perfect for Hosting & Cozy Nights At Home
The holidays are all about gathering with loved ones, sharing laughs, and sipping on festive cocktails that capture the magic of the season. Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday soirée or enjoying an intimate night by the fire, the perfect holiday cocktail can make every moment even more special. To get you inspired, we’ve rounded up the 8 best holiday cocktails for 2024—crafted with the finest seasonal flavors and featuring HipStirs cocktail syrups for effortless mixing.
For more recipes to elevate your holiday celebrations, don’t forget to download our Holiday Cocktail Guide!
1. Pumpkin Mule
Nothing says the holidays like pumpkin spice! This mule combines warm seasonal flavors with a refreshing ginger beer fizz. Perfect for Thanksgiving or your next cozy gathering.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- ½ oz HipStirs Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- 4 oz Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a copper mug with pebble ice. Swizzle to combine. Garnish with a mint bouquet dusted with pumpkin spice.
Why It’s Perfect: The Pumpkin Mule is a crowd-pleaser with just the right balance of warm spices and bright citrus.
2. Pumpkin Eggnog
This decadent cocktail is the ultimate holiday indulgence. Creamy, rich, and infused with pumpkin spice, it’s like dessert in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Cognac
- 1 oz HipStirs Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- 4 oz Eggnog
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a short rocks glass. Garnish with whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin spice.
Why It’s Perfect: This drink combines nostalgic flavors with a luxurious twist, making it ideal for Christmas Eve or holiday movie nights.
3. Winter Old Fashioned
For the whiskey lover, this festive twist on a classic Old Fashioned is rich, spicy, and full of holiday cheer.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Bourbon
- ¼ oz Liquid Alchemist Falernum
- ¼ oz HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup
- 2 dashes Aromatic Bitters
- 1 dash Cacao Bitters
Directions:
Stir all ingredients together. Pour over a large rock in a rocks glass. Garnish with a dried orange wheel.
Why It’s Perfect: The Winter Old Fashioned is bold yet approachable, perfect for warming up after a chilly winter stroll.
4. Cranberry Pie Old Fashioned
Elevate your holiday cocktail game with this sweet and tart Old Fashioned riff that’s bursting with cranberry and citrus notes.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Single Malt Scotch
- ¼ oz HipStirs Cranberry Pie Syrup
- ¼ oz HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup
- 2 dashes Aromatic Bitters
Directions:
Stir all ingredients together. Pour over a large rock in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Why It’s Perfect: This cocktail brings the flavors of a holiday pie into your glass—delicious and memorable!
5. Cranberry Raspberry Cocktail
Effervescent and festive, this sparkling cocktail is as pretty as it is delicious—perfect for holiday toasts.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Vodka
- ½ oz Liquid Alchemist Raspberry Syrup
- ½ oz HipStirs Cranberry Pie Syrup
- 2 oz Cranberry Juice
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 3 oz Sparkling Wine
Directions:
Mix all ingredients except sparkling wine in a shaker tin with ice. Strain into a wine glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary.
Why It’s Perfect: Light, bubbly, and refreshing, this drink adds an elegant touch to your holiday celebrations.
6. Cranberry Mule
This mule adds a festive cranberry twist to a classic cocktail, making it a seasonal favorite for any holiday gathering.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- ¾ oz HipStirs Cranberry Pie Syrup
- 4 oz Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a copper mug with crushed ice. Swizzle to combine. Garnish with rosemary and sugar-dusted cranberries on a skewer.
Why It’s Perfect: It’s festive, refreshing, and looks like Christmas in a glass!
7. Winter Dessert Spritz
For those who love a light, dessert-like cocktail, this spritz is rich, sweet, and surprisingly refreshing.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz PX Sherry
- 1 oz HipStirs Cranberry Pie Syrup
- 3 oz Ginger Beer
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a highball glass with ice. Stir to combine. Garnish with rosemary and fresh grated nutmeg.
Why It’s Perfect: Perfect for post-dinner sipping or pairing with your favorite holiday desserts.
8. Winter Cosmo
Put a holiday spin on the classic cosmopolitan with cranberry and peppermint flavors for an elevated seasonal drink.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Vodka
- ½ oz Peppermint Schnapps
- ¾ oz HipStirs Cranberry Pie Syrup
- ½ oz Lime Juice
Directions:
Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Why It’s Perfect: Fun, festive, and a little flirty—this drink is perfect for your holiday parties!
Tips for Hosting Holiday Cocktail Parties
- Batch Your Cocktails: Save time by preparing larger batches of cocktails like the Pumpkin Mule or Winter Old Fashioned in advance.
- Create a DIY Cocktail Bar: Set out ingredients for the Cranberry Mule or Winter Cosmo and let guests mix their own.
- Garnish Galore: A rosemary sprig, sugar-dusted cranberries, or grated nutmeg can instantly elevate any drink.
- Stay Organized: Have plenty of ice, glassware, and napkins on hand to avoid mid-party chaos.
This holiday season, be the unsung hero of every gathering with these crowd-pleasing holiday cocktails. With HipStirs syrups in your arsenal, mixing up delicious drinks has never been easier.
For even more cocktail inspiration, download our Holiday Cocktail Recipe Guide and wow your guests all season long!
