Editors' Favorite Holiday Cocktails

Updated: October 11, 2014
Jazz up any holiday gathering with one of these spirited cocktails recommended by our editors.
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Happy Elf

Photo: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty
Happy Elf Recipe
Why should Santa be the only one who gets a treat on Christmas Eve? He can have the milk and cookies; we want to share this colorful cocktails with his favorite toy makers.
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Cranberry Kir Royale

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Cranberry Kir Royale Recipe
Leftover cranberry sauce helps concoct a lightly sweet homemade cranberry liqueur in this twist on a classic French cocktail. Allow four days to steep the liqueur. Garnish with cranberries, if you like.

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Capital Eggnog

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Buffy Hargett
Capital Eggnog Recipe
Trim the tree and get in the holiday spirit with a cup of homemade Capital Eggnog. No other drink quite epitomizes the holidays like eggnog. Cheers!
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Milk Punch

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cindy Barr; Leigh Ann Ross
Milk Punch Recipe
This old-fashioned drink is reminiscent of decadent egg custard. You can easily double or triple the speedy recipe to serve a bigger crowd.

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Christmas Blossom

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro
Christmas Blossom Recipe
Though you might not think of peaches when it comes to Christmas cocktails, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Mix frozen peach slices, ice, sugar, vodka, and peach schnapps in a blender until smooth for a smooth, creamy drink with a uniquely refreshing flavor.

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Merry Cranberry Margaritas

Photo: Andrea M. Gómez; Styling: Miranda Jones
Merry Cranberry Margaritas Recipe
Who says margaritas are just for summer? Celebrate the holidays with this festive frozen drink featuring both cranberry juice cocktail and fresh cranberries. Reserve some of those fresh berries to make a simple garnish.
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Sparkling Chimayó Cocktails

Douglas Merriam; Jan Gautro
Sparkling Chimayó Cocktails Recipe
Mix it up by moving away from classic Christmas liquors like brandy and rum in favor of tequila. For these Southwestern-inspired cocktails, mix gold tequila with sparkling apple cider and sparkling water. To finish it all off, crème de cassis (a black currant-flavored liqueur) lends a sweet, delicate balance to the drink.

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Egg Nog

Egg Nog Recipe
This holiday season, just say "no" to the dairy case and whip up your own homemade egg nog. Super easy to make, this concoction combines eggs, sugar, and milk to form a thick, creamy base. Once thickened, add Christmas cheer with brandy, rum, and vanilla. Fold in whipped cream and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg

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Candy Cane Martini

Photo: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty
Candy Cane Martini Recipe
We dare you-- look at this cocktail and try not to fall in love. Raise a glass and toast friends and family this holiday season.
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Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail

Randy Mayor
Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail Recipe
Pomegranates add festive color and great flavor to any cocktail. Create a sparkling celebration by combinating tart pomegranate juice with spicy ginger ale, a little brandy, and a bottle of bubbly Champagne.

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Stone Fence

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro
Stone Fence Recipe
This take on the old New England drink features apple brandy rather than the usual rum. Substitute applejack or plain brandy, if you like.

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Gingered Pear and Brandy Cocktail

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Jan Gautro, Leigh Ann Ross
Gingered Pear and Brandy Cocktail Recipe
This is a timely concoction for a party: Simply prepare the gingered sugar syrup (step 1), and refrigerate it until you're ready to shake and serve the cocktails.
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Blood Orange Sangría

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Blood Orange Sangría Recipe
Blood oranges are in season in December, which makes them a perfect fruit to toss into your next holiday sangría. This cocktail also calls for sliced strawberries, apple juice, triple sec, sugar, whole cloves, red wine, and cinnamon sticks, making for a smooth blend of sweet fruit and traditional Christmas flavors.

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Pomegranate Gin Sling

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams
Pomegranate Gin Sling Recipe
A classic gin sling is dressed for festive parties when made with seasonal pomegranate juice and decorated with crimson pomegranate fruit. Both simple syrup and agave syrup are widely available at liquor stores. To make your own simple syrup, boil 2 parts sugar to 1 part water, stirring just until sugar dissolves; reduce until thickened. Cool before using.

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Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush

Photo: Levi Brown; Styling: Tiziana Agnello
Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush Recipe
Is it a drink or dessert? Who cares? It satisfies both cravings. Our garnet-colored slush has all the qualities of a delicious cocktail--a not-too-sweet combination of high-quality liquor and fruity tang.
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