8 Best Holiday Cocktails to Sip All Season Long: 2025 Edition
- By: Julianne Elise Beffa
Shake, Stir, and Sparkle…
‘Tis the season to mix, mingle, and raise a glass. Whether you’re hosting a glamorous holiday cocktail party, cozying up by the fire, or searching for new Christmas cocktail recipes to impress your guests, this list delivers something for everyone. The mixology masters at William Grant & Sons, have unveiled a lineup of 2025 holiday cocktails that redefine festive sipping, from sparkling vodka spritzes and spiced whiskey classics to cozy, cocoa-laced creations that will warm you from the inside out.
From easy holiday drinks you can batch for a crowd to elegant New Year’s Eve cocktails made to dazzle, these festive recipes are anything but ordinary. Crafted by world-class brand ambassadors and bartenders, each cocktail highlights the unique character of spirits like Reyka Vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, Monkey Shoulder, Tullamore D.E.W., Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, and Milagro Tequila. Expect shimmering garnishes, spiced infusions, and sophisticated flavor pairings that look as stunning as they taste. Whether you prefer a sparkling prosecco cocktail, a cozy whiskey hot toddy, or a gin spritz with a twist, this year’s best winter cocktails are guaranteed to keep your spirits bright.
For the Glamorous Host: The Midnight Pear-secco
The Midnight Pear-secco blends crisp Reyka Vodka with sweet pear syrup and prosecco, finished with edible gold dust. It’s New Year’s Eve in a glass-sophisticated, stunning, and irresistibly sippable.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Reyka Vodka
- 1 part pear syrup
- 2 parts prosecco or sparkling wine
- Edible gold dust
- Pear slices for garnish
How to Make It:
Add vodka, pear syrup, and gold dust to a shaker with ice. Shake to combine and strain into a coupe or flute. Top with prosecco and garnish with a pear slice.
Pro tip: Serve it in a coupe for extra sparkle.
Reyka Vodka:
The Midnight Pear-secco
$18
For the Fireside Lounger: The Reyka Yule Nog
Eggnog gets an Icelandic twist with Reyka Vodka and a hint of whiskey for depth. Creamy, cozy, and topped with whipped cream and nutmeg, this drink feels like wrapping yourself in a cashmere blanket—perfect for fuzzy socks and holiday movie marathons.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Reyka Vodka
- 2 parts eggnog or eggnog liqueur
- ½ part Balvenie, Hudson Whiskey, or Tullamore D.E.W.
- Whipped cream and grated nutmeg for garnish
How to Make It:
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a mug. Top with whipped cream and nutmeg. Serve cold or gently warmed.
Reyka Vodka:
The Reyka Yule Nog
$18
For Whiskey Lovers: The Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned
Upgrade your holiday happy hour with Monkey Shoulder’s Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned by Kevin Haxho. Smooth Scotch, a touch of vanilla syrup, and bitters create a warm, caramelly cocktail that pairs beautifully with dessert or stands perfectly on its own.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Monkey Shoulder Scotch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla simple syrup
- 1 shake Angostura bitters
- Maraschino cherry and orange peel for garnish
How to Make It:
Combine all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Stir for 15 seconds, strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass, and garnish with orange peel and a cherry.
Monkey Shoulder:
The Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned
$30
For Après-Ski Vibes: The Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Coffee
There’s nothing quite like the rich, creamy comfort of an Irish Coffee. Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey meets strong brewed coffee, brown sugar, and whipped cream in this timeless winter classic by Clodagh Mai O’Callaghan. It’s equal parts energy and indulgence-essentially dessert in a mug.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey
- 6 parts hot brewed coffee
- 2 parts brown sugar
- 1 part lightly whipped cream
How to Make It:
Preheat your glass with hot water. Add brown sugar, pour in hot coffee, and stir until dissolved. Add whiskey, then float the cream over the back of a spoon. Serve immediately.
Tullamore D.E.W.:
The Irish Coffee
$20
For the Party Starter: The More the Merrier Spritz
Meet your new holiday showstopper. With Hendrick’s Gin, spiced apple cranberry cordial, and a splash of Champagne, this sparkling cocktail by Liz Pearce is made to impress. Bright, botanical, and beautifully bubbly, it’s a crowd-pleaser for any celebration.
Ingredients:
- 1½ parts Hendrick’s Gin
- ¾ part fresh lemon juice
- ¾ part spiced apple cranberry cordial (see below)
- Champagne or prosecco to top
To Make the Cordial:
Simmer apple cider, cranberry juice, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and thyme for 15 minutes. Strain and cool before using.
How to Make It:
Shake gin, lemon juice, and cordial with ice. Double strain into a flute and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with thyme or cranberries.
Hendrick’s Gin:
The More the Merrier Spritz
$27
For the Tequila Enthusiast: The Cranberry Paloma
This ruby-red beauty mixes Milagro Silver Tequila with cranberry juice, grapefruit soda, and thyme syrup for the ultimate festive refresh. Tangy, sweet, and lightly sparkling, it’s ideal for holiday happy hours.
Ingredients:
- 1½ parts Milagro Silver
- ¾ part fresh lime juice
- ¾ part cranberry juice
- ½ part thyme simple syrup
- 2 parts pink grapefruit soda
How to Make It:
Shake all ingredients except soda with ice, then strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Top with pink grapefruit soda and garnish with cranberries.
Milagro Tequila:
The Cranberry Paloma
$26
For the Scotch Sophisticate: The Glenfiddich Highlander Cocoa
Hot chocolate gets an adults-only upgrade with Glenfiddich 14 Year Old. Rich cocoa meets caramel-smooth whisky, topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings. It’s the definition of comfort and class.
Ingredients:
- 1 part Glenfiddich 14 Year Old
- 4 parts rich hot chocolate
- Whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings for garnish
How to Make It:
Prepare hot chocolate, add whisky, and stir. Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
Glenfiddich:
The Highlander Cocoa
$50
For the Fireside Romantic: The Hot Buttered Balvenie
Velvety, warm, and deeply indulgent, the Hot Buttered Balvenie by Brett Bayly combines whisky, butter, vanilla, and cinnamon for a luxurious twist on a winter classic. It’s the kind of cocktail meant for quiet nights by the fire.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Balvenie 14-Year Caribbean Cask
- Hot water to fill
- 1 tablespoon quality butter
- ½ oz vanilla and cinnamon syrup
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
How to Make It:
Add butter, whisky, and syrup to a heatproof glass. Top with hot water and stir until fully combined. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a dusting of cinnamon sugar if desired.
The Balvenie:
The Hot Buttered Balvenie
$53
Batch a few of these drinks before guests arrive, set out garnishes, and let everyone play bartender. Not only does it save time, but it also turns your kitchen into the most festive bar of the season.
So grab your shaker, cue the playlist, and toast to a season of flavor, friends, and unforgettable cocktails. Here’s to shaking things up this holiday season with William Grant & Sons.
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