Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes 8 Classic Christmas Cocktails That You Should Definitely Make This Holiday Season By Southern Living Editors Updated on December 1, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely We're always in favor of trying out new recipes, but during the holidays, we tend to get nostalgic about the oldies. Making vintage Christmas recipes that Mama (and her Mama) once prepared gets us in a warm, sentimental mood. These old-fashioned cocktails are no exception. Pull out Granny's punch bowl you inherited—it's time for some classic Christmas cocktails. Frosé and Moscow mules have their place in our cocktail repertoire, but for Christmas, we're sticking with tradition. There's a reason these holiday cocktails have stuck around for so long: They'll always taste amazing. Whether you need a sweet cocktail like milk punch to cap off the night, a warm sipper like mulled cider to enjoy by the fire, or a big-batch Christmas punch recipe to get the party started, these classic Christmas cocktails deliver year after year. 01 of 08 Eggnog Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis Recipe: Homemade Eggnog Eggnog is a seasonal drink you only see during the holidays, so drink up while you can! Country star Alan Jackson's recipe is easy and rich. 02 of 08 Spiked Cider Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Big-Batch Mulled CiderRecipe: Bourbon-Cider MuleRecipe: Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme PunchRecipe: Apple Cider Shandy You can't beat cozy apple cider, whether served warm and topped with a cinnamon stick or over ice in a copper mule mug. 03 of 08 Punch with Ice Cream Caitlin Bensel Recipe: Lemon-Lime Rosemary PunchRecipe: Orange Sherbet Punch Old-school Christmas punches always had a few scoops of ice cream bobbing around, and this delightful green recipe might even make your heart grow three sizes. 04 of 08 Mimosas Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith Recipe: Pomegranate MimosaRecipe: Grapefruit-Rosmary Mimosa If your family prepares a Christmas brunch, mimosas are a must. This fruity sunrise-inspired recipe is perfectly festive for your gathering. 05 of 08 Christmas Punch Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith Recipe: Retro Rum PunchRecipe: Spiced Orange-Bourbon PunchRecipe: Texas Santa PunchRecipe: Cranberry Sangria Punch Classic Christmas punch recipes are best enjoyed when served from an old-fashioned punch bowl. We've got four recipes that look and taste like a dream. 06 of 08 Milk Punch Cedric Angeles Recipe: Mint-and-White-Chocolate Milk PunchRecipe: Triple B Milk Punch Many Southern families enjoy milk punch in place of eggnog during the holiday season. If you haven't tried this sweet cocktail, you'll have a new Christmas tradition as soon as you do. 07 of 08 Hot Toddy Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Hot Bourbon-Orange Tea ToddyRecipe: Quick Hot Toddy We made a hot toddy with orange tea and fresh ginger for even more flavor for you to relax by the fire with, or opt for a classic version. 08 of 08 Wassail Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Williams Family Wassail Another warm, comforting cocktail, these spiced big-batch recipes make for the easiest holiday hostess prep. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit