14 Christmas Cocktails With Bourbon To Sip By The Tree!

If you’re hosting a party this holiday season, or you just enjoy a tipple in front of the tree and you’re looking for a little inspiration, you’ll love this roundup of the best bourbon based Christmas cocktails! From classic favourites with a festive twist, to creative concoctions that’ll have everyone taking at your next gatherings, there’s something in this guide that’s perfect for the occasion. 

Maybe you’re already a huge bourbon lover and you need no extra encouragement to flex your mixology skills with this beautiful spirit, or maybe you’re just a casual enjoyer who’s toying with the idea of going down this route for your Christmas cocktails. 

If it’s the latter, here’s a quick overview of why bourbon is such a good choice for the holidays… 

Firstly, bourbon’s rich notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice bring warmth and depth to drinks, making it perfect for serving up those warm, cozy vibes that everyone enjoys at this time of the year. It also pairs perfectly with the ingredients of the season like cinnamon, cranberry, orange, and ginger. As well, bourbon Christmas cocktails have an elegant, refined feel, so they bring a touch of sophistication and sense of occasion to parties. 

Ready to jump in? Let’s get down to the recipes… 

1. Cinnamon Maple Bourbon Sour

This Cinnamon Maple Bourbon Sour takes a classic whiskey sour and adds a festive touch with warm cinnamon and rich maple syrup. The balance of sweet and tart flavors, combined with a hint of spice, makes it a cozy and comforting drink for winter nights.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Cinnamon stick and lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon with ice. Shake well.
2. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon wheel.
4. Serve and enjoy this warming, festive cocktail.

2. Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Smash

The Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Smash is a vibrant cocktail packed with holiday flavors. Fresh cranberries, orange slices, and spices like cinnamon and cloves bring a burst of festive cheer to this drink, while the bourbon adds depth and warmth.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 4 oz bourbon
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 orange slices
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• Sparkling water for topping
• Fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle the cranberries, orange slices, honey, cinnamon, and cloves.
2. Add the bourbon and ice, then shake well.
3. Strain into two glasses filled with ice and top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with fresh cranberries and orange slices.

3. Gingerbread Old Fashioned

This Gingerbread Old Fashioned is a sweet and spiced version of the classic cocktail. The gingerbread syrup brings warm notes of molasses, ginger, and cinnamon, perfectly complementing the smooth bourbon.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 dashes bitters
• Orange peel and cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a rocks glass, combine the bourbon, gingerbread syrup, and bitters.
2. Add ice and stir until chilled.
3. Garnish with an orange peel and a cinnamon stick.

4. Eggnog Bourbon Flip

This Eggnog Bourbon Flip is a rich and creamy cocktail that’s perfect for holiday indulgence. The classic eggnog flavors are enhanced with bourbon, vanilla, and nutmeg, making it a decadent and festive treat.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz eggnog
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk
• Grated nutmeg for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, eggnog, simple syrup, vanilla extract, and egg yolk.
2. Shake without ice to emulsify, then add ice and shake again until chilled.
3. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with grated nutmeg.

5. Cranberry Rosemary Bourbon Fizz

The Cranberry Rosemary Bourbon Fizz is a refreshing and elegant Christmas cocktail with a festive twist. The tart cranberry juice and herbal rosemary pair beautifully with the bourbon, while the sparkling water adds a light, bubbly finish.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz rosemary simple syrup (see instructions below)
• 3 oz sparkling water
• Fresh rosemary sprig and cranberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. To make rosemary simple syrup, combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 1 sprig of rosemary in a small saucepan. Heat until sugar dissolves, then cool and strain.
2. In a shaker, combine bourbon, cranberry juice, and rosemary simple syrup with ice. Shake well.
3. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig.

6. Maple Pecan Bourbon Old Fashioned

This Maple Pecan Bourbon Old Fashioned adds a nutty sweetness to the traditional Old Fashioned. The combination of maple syrup and pecan bitters creates a warm, rich flavor that’s perfect for the holiday season.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• 2 dashes pecan bitters
• Orange peel and candied pecan for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a rocks glass, combine bourbon, maple syrup, and pecan bitters.
2. Add ice and stir until chilled.
3. Garnish with an orange peel and a candied pecan.

7. Hot Spiced Bourbon Cider

Hot Spiced Bourbon Cider is the ultimate cozy drink for cold winter nights by the Christmas tree. The warm apple cider is infused with cinnamon, cloves, and honey, and then spiked with bourbon for a comforting, spiced cocktail.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 4 oz bourbon
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cloves
• 1 tbsp honey
• Orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine apple cider, cinnamon stick, cloves, and honey. Heat until warm but not boiling.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the bourbon.
3. Serve in mugs, garnished with orange slices.

8. Chocolate Bourbon Eggnog

This Chocolate Bourbon Eggnog is a decadent holiday treat that combines the richness of eggnog with chocolate and bourbon. The result is a creamy, sweet, and indulgent drink that’s perfect for festive gatherings.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 4 oz bourbon
• 1 cup eggnog
• 2 oz chocolate liqueur
• Whipped cream and cocoa powder for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, eggnog, and chocolate liqueur with ice. Shake well.
2. Strain into glasses and top with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.

9. Peppermint Bourbon Hot Chocolate

Peppermint Bourbon Hot Chocolate is a rich and warming drink with a festive twist. The combination of creamy hot chocolate, bourbon, and peppermint schnapps is topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for a Christmas indulgence.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 4 oz bourbon
• 2 cups hot chocolate
• 1 oz peppermint schnapps
• Whipped cream and crushed candy canes for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, prepare hot chocolate according to your preferred method.
2. Stir in bourbon and peppermint schnapps.
3. Serve in mugs, topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

10. Apple Cinnamon Bourbon Smash

The Apple Cinnamon Bourbon Smash is a cozy cocktail with the flavors of fall and winter. Fresh apple slices, cinnamon, and bourbon are muddled together, then topped with club soda for a refreshing yet comforting drink.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 apple slices
• Club soda for topping
• Cinnamon stick and apple slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle the apple slices, simple syrup, and cinnamon in a shaker.
2. Add bourbon and ice, then shake well.
3. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with club soda.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice.

11. Christmas Bourbon Punch

Christmas Bourbon Punch is a festive and refreshing punch that’s perfect for holiday parties. The blend of bourbon, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and sparkling water is garnished with fresh cranberries and orange slices for a colorful holiday drink.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 cup bourbon
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup orange liqueur
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large punch bowl, combine bourbon, cranberry juice, and orange liqueur.
2. Add sparkling water just before serving.
3. Garnish with fresh cranberries and orange slices.

12. Holiday Spiced Boulevardier

The Holiday Spiced Boulevardier is a festive twist on the classic cocktail. The blend of bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari is enhanced with a hint of holiday spices like cloves and cinnamon, making it perfect for Christmas gatherings.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 oz Campari
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari, and cloves with ice. Stir until chilled.
2. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with an orange peel.

13. Fig and Bourbon Manhattan

The Fig and Bourbon Manhattan is a sophisticated holiday cocktail with a sweet and earthy flavor. The combination of bourbon, sweet vermouth, and fig jam creates a rich and elegant drink that’s perfect for Christmas.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 tsp fig jam
• 2 dashes bitters
• Fresh fig or orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, sweet vermouth, fig jam, and bitters with ice. Shake until well mixed.
2. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a fresh fig or orange peel.

14. Mulled Wine Bourbon Punch

This Mulled Wine Bourbon Punch combines the warmth of mulled wine with the richness of bourbon. The punch is infused with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves, creating a festive and aromatic holiday drink.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 orange, sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cloves
• 1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine red wine, bourbon, honey, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
2. Heat over medium heat until warm but not boiling.
3. Remove from heat and stir in brandy if desired.
4. Serve warm in mugs.

These 14 bourbon cocktails offer a variety of flavors, from rich and creamy to fresh and spiced, making them perfect for any Christmas celebration. Try them yourself, and don’t forget to leave a comment below sharing your favorite!