Need a few holiday or Christmas cocktail recipe ideas? Christmas is all about friends and family getting together to celebrate the holidays with joy and cheer, and nothing says cheer like these gorgeous 12 Days of Christmas cocktails, created around the theme of the old English carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Technically the 12 Days of Christmas are December 25 through January 5 but we are starting early! The original song was first popularized in England as lyrics in a children’s book in 1780, but various versions of this song pop up in France, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands. In the 20th century, the song became popular again in the United States starting in the 1940s when Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters recorded a version of the song.
The Cocktails
What a way to toast the season! Holiday parties, Christmas dinner, and even New Year’s Eve celebrations all call for festive Christmas cocktails in brilliant colors and flavors of the season. Flavors of cranberry, orange, ginger, cinnamon, eggnog, and nutmeg take center stage in many of these holiday drinks, as well as more unique flavors such as pear, fig, and cardamom.
These recipes use a variety of different spirits too, including vodka, gin, tequila, amaretto, and even sparkling wine, so you have something for everyone’s tastes. Some recipes are quick and easy, others take a little preparation, but they all ring in the season in elegant style!
Note: Most of these cocktails are made for two, so if you really want to make Santa happy, whip up a batch, one for him and one for you!
{All recipes and images are original and copyright protected. Please ask permission before using.}
12 Days of Christmas Cocktails
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.
Gingered Pear Margarita | A holiday margarita made with gingercello, silver tequila, and pear. The subtle pear and ginger flavors balance the silver tequila, and the cinnamon-sugar rim adds a festive flair to this holiday cocktail.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
Bourbon Caramel Turtle Milkshake | This boozy holiday Bourbon Caramel Turtle Milkshake is decadent and fun, made with pecan bourbon, butter pecan ice cream, and a blend of liqueurs. Pecan bourbon you say? Oh yes, there is such a thing and it is delightful!
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Three French hens.
Christmas Ruby French 75 | This bergamot tea-infused cocktail has pomegranate juice, gin, and champagne, swirled with edible glitter for a shimmery cocktail. It’s lovely to look at and delight to sip!
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Four calling birds.
Raspberry Snowtini | This cocktail is so much fun! Vanilla ice cream snowballs are bathed in a Chambord, vodka, and Tuaca martini blend, topped with blackberry “calling birds”.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Five golden rings!
Five Golden Rings Cocktail | This luxurious gold cocktail is made with Winter Jack, apple cider, and orange bitters, with a spun sugar topping. Make the spun sugar ahead of time to have it ready to top each cocktail for your holiday party and your guests will be wowed!
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Six geese a-laying.
Eggnog Old Fashioned | No eggs here, only eggnog, in this delightful holiday cocktail with eggnog, brandy, Frangelico, and cardamom bitters. This is the ultimate holiday cocktail!
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Seven swans a-swimming
Christmas Swan Cocktail | How about a little bubbly? This beautiful holiday cocktail is perfect to ring in the New Year. a glass of champagne is topped with raspberry and lemon sorbet, and elderberry liqueur. Add the sorbet last minute to keep the bubbles going!
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Eight maids a-milking.
Espresso Rum Milk Punch Cocktail | This cocktail takes the traditional holiday rum milk punch recipe that is popular in New Orleans and updates it with an added kick of espresso liqueur.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Nine ladies dancing.
Mandarin Fig Brandy Cocktail | This cocktail is like Christmas figgy pudding in a cocktail, with mandarin juice, fig preserves, and brandy. It will have your holiday party guests dancing for more!
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Ten lords a-leaping.
Ten Lords-A-Leaping Ale | This Bruery Ten Lords-A-Leaping Ale is topped with a slice of orange and star anise for the craft ale drinkers at your holiday celebrations.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Eleven pipers piping.
Amaretto Mulled Wine | Wassail and Mulled wine are popular during the holidays, so this hot cocktail takes piping hot wine and blends it with Amaretto liqueur, fresh fruit and juices, and holiday spices. (See what I did there–piping?) Make and serve it in a slow cooker to keep it warm.
And finally…
On the twelveth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Twelve Drummers Drumming.
Boozy Frozen Hot Chocolate | This cocktail is a fun “drum” looking cocktail in two different boozy Frozen Hot Chocolate flavors made with either Peppermint or Cinnamon Schnapps. Top them with two chocolate straws and a touch of whipped cream.
So, which 12 Days of Christmas Cocktails are you making first?
Guess what? Even though these cocktail recipes have holiday flavors, they are fun to drink all year…think Christmas in July…or March…or October…you get the idea. Whether you are making these for one or two people or a crowd, they are sure to be a hit!
2 comments
Now THIS is my kind of 12 days of Christmas!! I love a good cocktail. Usually I go pretty simple, but around the holidays it’s so fun to dress them up a little
Thank you so much Karyl, lol! They were fun to make and fun to drink!