The short answer: for a party, plan one signature drink, one non-alcoholic option and something warm in winter. Christmas cocktails and Christmas mocktails pair well.

Ideas and how-tos

  • Christmas cocktails20 easy Christmas cocktails: classic holiday drinks, big-batch Christmas punch, cooked eggnog, mocktails, how much to buy and tips…
  • Christmas mocktailsChristmas mocktails everyone can enjoy: 20 easy alcohol-free holiday drinks, from cranberry spritzers to hot cocoa, plus batch tip…
  • Cocktail recipes30 classic cocktail recipes with exact measurements: margarita, mojito, negroni, whiskey sour, Moscow mule and more, plus a home b…
  • Espresso martini recipeA classic espresso martini recipe: vodka, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso and simple syrup, plus the trick to the foam, batching an…
  • Healthy smoothie recipes40 healthy smoothie recipes with a simple formula, calories, protein and fiber for 16 of them, plus low-calorie, high-protein, gre…
  • Homemade eggnogMake creamy homemade eggnog on the stove: ingredients, how to cook the custard to 160°F, spiked and alcohol-free options, dairy sw…
  • Hot chocolate recipeA rich homemade hot chocolate recipe with cocoa and real chocolate, amounts for 1, 4 or 12 cups, a slow cooker version, a dry mix …
  • Hot cocoa bar ideasHot cocoa bar ideas with a setup checklist, 40 toppings, five themes, how much to buy for 10, 20 or 30 guests, food-safety tips an…
  • Lemonade recipeHomemade lemonade recipe with a 1:1 syrup: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup lemon juice, 4 cups cold water. Makes 6½ cups, with ratios, batch si…
  • London fog drinkHow to make a London fog drink at home: Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and vanilla in 10 minutes, plus iced, dairy-free, lavender and…
  • Margarita recipeA classic margarita recipe with tequila, fresh lime juice and orange liqueur, plus a pitcher batch, frozen and spicy versions, and…
  • Martini RecipeA classic martini recipe with the exact gin-to-vermouth ratio, stirring time, dry, dirty and Gibson variations, and how many stand…
  • Old Fashioned RecipeA classic old fashioned recipe with bourbon or rye, sugar, bitters and orange peel, plus a simple syrup version, 8 holiday twists …
  • Paloma RecipeAn easy paloma recipe with tequila, lime, a pinch of salt and grapefruit soda, plus a fresh grapefruit version, a pitcher for 8 an…
  • Paper Plane CocktailThe paper plane cocktail recipe: equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon, a scaling chart for 1 to 12 drinks and an al…
  • WassailAn easy wassail recipe with apple cider, orange juice and warm spices, plus slow cooker steps, a big-batch chart, an adult version…

How to use this page

Please drink responsibly, and only if you're of legal drinking age. Every party list here includes alcohol-free options.

Hosting a crowd? Set out a hot cocoa bar or a pitcher of Christmas mocktails so guests can serve themselves, and make one batch drink ahead instead of mixing cocktails one at a time.