31 Winter Cocktails for Cozy Sips and Merry Celebrations
If your heart desires a margarita when it’s snowing out, we’re not here to tell you it’s off-season. But we hope this list of our best winter cocktails is helpful if you’re planning a holiday gathering or just looking for something to sip in warm-blanket weather. The drinks below are festive enough for a cookie exchange and fun to drink while huddling around a winter bonfire. Some are large-format, batched for a crowd, while others are easy to stir (or shake) up one by one. Whether you’re focusing on drinking down your whiskey collection or looking for Champagne cocktails for a year-end toast, you’ll find plenty of options as you scroll down.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert2/30Classic Whiskey Sour
It's time to bring the whiskey sour back. But was it ever really gone? While you're at it, don't miss the Whiskey Daisy or this amazing amaro-and-rum version from our cocktail columnist, Al Sotack. Serve with an orange slice (and a good cherry) on a fancy cocktail pick.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi3/30Brandy Alexander II
This creamy alternative to eggnog gets an extra dose of rich flavor from crème de cacao.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell4/30Scotchy Boulevardiers for a Crowd
If you love a negroni or recently tried a sbagliato (with prosecco!) for the very first time, it's time to start making this wintery relative of those bitter drinks. This version has a touch of scotch in the mix for savory complexity, and it can be made ahead for easy winter entertaining. It's definitely not the season to muddle and fuss over each individual drink. Just pour over ice and garnish each glass with an orange peel before serving.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton5/30Warm Comfort
Hot cocktails with tequila are few and far between, but this one is a keeper for sure. The earthy, floral flavor of chamomile soothes the spice of the booze nicely.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton6/30Fleming Fizz
Think of this gingery drink as an extra-festive take on the popular Penicillin cocktail. Instead of a basic simple syrup, this honey syrup uses ginger juice (made in your blender and strained) in the place of water.
Photo by Ed Anderson10/30Up-to-Date Cocktail
If you love Manhattans, stir up this whiskey cocktail, made with nutty amontillado sherry, Angostura bitters, and a whisper of Grand Marnier.
Photo by Denny Culbert11/30Celery Stalker
This slightly savory, festive drink—like a French 75 but made with lime juice and celery bitters—is just right with holiday appetizers like pickled shrimp, crudités, and horseradish-spiked goat cheese. It's also nice at brunch alongside some cured fish.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova12/30Buttered Rum Hot Chocolate
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo17/30Vieux Carré
We love an old fashioned as much as the next drinker, but sometimes you need to change up your routine. Named for the French Quarter of New Orleans, this classic cocktail is complex and boozy. It's made with rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, and Bénédictine, an herbal liqueur that's sweetened with a touch of honey.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi18/30Mike's Milk Punch
If the raw egg in eggnog skeeves you out, opt for this creamy bourbon cocktail instead to kick off your winter festivities. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg for optimal Christmas vibes. Instead of giving your shaker a workout, this one is made frothy in your blender.
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen19/30Champagne Punch with Ginger, Lemon, and Sage
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell20/30Raspberry and Thyme Hot Toddy Punch
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell21/30Dry Martini
There is no wrong season for drinking martinis your way, and we do enjoy them year-round, but a crisp gin martini in the winter feels perfect. Chill your coupe or martini glass for a frosty beverage that stays cool until it's gone.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton22/30Turmeric Hot Toddy
Hot toddies are nothing if not flexible. This version, made with sherry and a golden-hued turmeric syrup, works well with bourbon, rum, Scotch, mezcal, or gin.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson24/30Pomegranate Sangria
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi26/30Hot White Russian
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova27/30Midnight Sparkler Cocktail
With its unique indigo color and effervescent charm, this Champagne cocktail is perfect for New Year's Eve or any other festive occasion.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Styling by Joseph De Leo30/30Simple Hot Cocoa for One
Step one: Make hot cocoa. Step two: Drink it as is, or try adding some Chartreuse. It's one of our favorite winter cocktails, as cozy as a fuzzy scarf.
