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20 Best Christmas Bourbon Cocktails Listed (2024 Updated)

Best Christmas Bourbon Cocktails

Christmas is fast approaching, and one way to enjoy the festivities is by whipping up some delicious Christmas bourbon cocktails for you, your family, and your friends.

While there are many Christmas cocktails to try, it can be challenging to find cocktails centered around bourbon. 

Good thing we compiled the best Christmas bourbon cocktails you can serve to the crowd and enjoy. Read on. 

20 Best Christmas Bourbon Cocktails 

20. Cherry Bourbon Milkshake Recipe With Espresso

Milkshake and bourbon? Yes, you can add bourbon to a milkshake and make a delicious Christmas cocktail; make sure kids don’t see it because they may want to try it. 

It is easy to make and can be one of your go-to drinks this holiday season. You can enjoy this luscious dessert drink by blending espresso, bourbon, ice cream, milk, and royal maraschino cherries. 

19. Maple Old Fashioned

Maple Old Fashioned cocktail drink with orange peel and maraschino cherry

Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail [1], and you can elevate it by incorporating maple syrup into the recipe.

Replace a sugar cube with maple syrup, which pairs perfectly with other mixers, to sweeten and add flavor to your Christmas cocktail. 

Get some bourbon, angostura bitters, maple syrup, orange peel, and ice to whip up Maple Old Fashioned. But what’s the cheapest bourbon for an Old-Fashioned cocktail?

18. Spiked Hot Chocolate

2 glasses of Spiked Hot Chocolate

Nothing beats classic hot liquid cocoa on winter nights, but it would be nice to give it a new spin by adding a hint of bourbon to the delicious drink.

Spiked Hot Chocolate is one of the fun ideas for Christmas cocktails because it can warm you from the inside out.

To make Spiked Hot Chocolate, you will need some cocoa powder, 2% milk, vanilla, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and bourbon whiskey.

17. New York Sour

New York Sour drink cocktail with dried grapefruit

Why sip bourbon straight when you can make it festive and delicious by making some New York Sour? It has a nice layer of flavors and tastes as good as it looks. 

On the bottom layer is a sour bourbon with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.

It combines bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, and maple syrup, then it is topped with red wine for additional flavor, fruity acidity, and complexity. 

16. Apple Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

3 glasses of apple bourbon cocktail

Apple Bourbon Cocktail is one of the cocktail recipes that you can make at home for Christmas. It combines fresh citrus and Amaretto, which is fresh and flavorful.  

The recipe is easy to make because you will only need five ingredients. To make one of the best bourbon cocktails, combine bourbon, triple sec, apple juice, lemon juice, and orange bitters. 

15. Spiked Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

Close Up Shot of Spiked Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

Spiked Bourbon Apple Cider is a great cocktail you can make at home, and you can serve it cold or warm.

On winter nights, it can warm you up; on summer days, it can be a refreshing mixed drink. 

To make this simple cocktail, you will need apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, star anise, honey, and bourbon whiskey

But what’s the best bourbon for Apple Cider?

14. Pomegranate Bourbon Punch

Pomegranate Bourbon Punch is a festive cocktail for Holidays, and this delicious mixed drink is best to serve for family and groups of friends. 

Combine your best bourbon whiskey with pomegranate juice, orange juice, ginger ale, and vanilla. Prepare some pomegranate arils and orange as garnish. 

13. Bourbon Milk Punch

glass of Bourbon Milk Punch

Bourbon Milk Punch is a classic whiskey cocktail that is boozy, creamy, sweet, and delicious. You can make it year-round, but it can be a perfect cocktail for Holidays. 

Bourbon Milk Punch can be one of the great Christmas cocktails for your family because it resembles the winter and its white and cold snow.

To whip it up, you will need whole milk, heavy cream, sugar liquid, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and bourbon.

12. Bourbon Mule Recipe

Bourbon Mule

If you are a bourbon fan, you will love this cocktail recipe that you can modify with bitters and fresh herbs.

Bourbon Mule is refreshing and easy to make, so you can whip it into one of this year’s Christmas cocktails. 

Combine bourbon and ginger beer with half of the lime, angostura bitters, and fresh sage leaves.

Take one sip, and you will agree that it has a nice flavor and refreshing taste. Check out our favorite bourbons for Kentucky Mule here.

11. Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Spiced Cranberry Bourbon cocktail is one of the favorite Christmas cocktails by our team because it is tart, sweet, and full of spices. Most cocktail recipes are time-consuming to make, but you can whip up the drink in just five minutes. 

It combines spiced cranberry juice (cinnamon sticks, ginger cranberry, and nutmeg), ginger beer, and bourbon whiskey.

It is perfect for sharing with friends and family and contains 173 calories per serving. 

10. Cranberry Apple Hot Toddy

Cranberry Apple Hot Toddy can be your boozy warm drink for cold nights, and this drink is a classic mixed drink for Holidays.

Winter calls for soothing cocktails with flavors of the season, and this mixed drink can complete your cozy fireside experience.  

The hot toddy combines bourbon, honey, apple cider, lemon, and cranberry. 

9. Red Wine Sangria With Bourbon-Soaked Sugar Fruit 

Red Wine Sangria With Bourbon-Soaked Sugar Fruit cocktail drink

Red Wine Sangria with bourbon-soaked sugar fruit is not just for summer; you can also enjoy it on any holiday.

The fruity sangria is packed with punch, and this cocktail recipe is best for winter long. 

To make this recipe, you will need your favorite bourbon, sliced seasonal fruit, simple syrup or honey, grand Marnier, sparkling water, and orange juice. 

8. Strawberry Rhubarb Whiskey Sour

Strawberry Rhubarb Whiskey Sour on a glass

If you are looking for a unique Christmas cocktail, unique Strawberry Rhubarb can be a good option.

It is a bourbon whiskey cocktail infused with strawberries and tastes great as it looks. 

To make your homemade cocktail, you will need strawberry-infused bourbon, lemon juice, rhubarb liquid, and fresh strawberry.

It has a nice balance of tart and sweet that you can taste after one sip.  

7. Bourbon Sazerac

Bourbon Sazerac is another boozy bourbon Christmas cocktail you can make in the comfort of your home. 

The slow sipper is made originally with cognac and rye whiskey, but you can simplify it and replace rye whiskey and cognac with bourbon whiskey.

Add some absinthe, Peychaud’s bitter, and sugar, and you will have your own Bourbon Sazerac. 

6. Tiki Bitters Whiskey Sour

Tiki Bitters Whiskey Sour can be a good option if you want a holiday-ready drink.

It is another version of whiskey sour, but this version comes with orange liqueur and Amaretto. 

It is a blend of spices and can be used to enhance the flavor of tropical drinks. It combines allspice, ginger, citrus peel, cardamom, and cinnamon. 

We’ve got the top bourbons for a Whiskey Sour here.

5. Simple Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned 

Simple Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned Cocktail Drink

If you missed doing Simple Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned on Thanksgiving, don’t worry because you can make it on Holidays.

The festive pumpkin spice recipe is easy to make because you only need three ingredients. 

To whip up your mixed drink, you will need bourbon, pumpkin spice simple syrup, and bitters. 

Read: Popular Bourbons For Thanksgiving

4. Peach Bourbon Cocktail With Rosemary

Glass of Peach Bourbon Cocktail With Rosemary on a Silver Tray

Peach bourbon mixed drink is thirst-quenching because it contains fresh peaches and rosemary simple syrup.

However, since peaches are seasonal fruit, you can use frozen peaches to create this wonderful drink. 

You can make the mixed drink by combining fresh or frozen peaches, rosemary simple syrup, bourbon, and freshly squeezed lemon.

The classic drink perfectly balances sweet and tart with citrus and peaches. 

3. Cinnamon Spice Cherry 7up Spritzer

A festive celebration will not be complete without amazing mixed drinks, so you can make this spritzer to warm up your cold night.

It has a nice kick and flavor profile that your loved ones will surely enjoy. 

It is a mixture of bourbon, cinnamon liqueur, cherry juice, 7UP, maraschino cherries, and pomegranate arils. 

2. Blood Orange Whiskey Sour

Glass of Blood Orange Whiskey Sour Drink with Grapefruit and Mint Leaves

Blood Orange Whiskey Sour is a citrusy twist on the classic mixed drink Whiskey Sour.

Based on the recipe, you will need bourbon, blood orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to make it. It has a beautiful color, and the egg-white foam creates a great contrast. 

1. Cynar Toronto (Amaro Old Fashioned)

6 Glasses of Cynar Toronto Drink Garnished with Grapefruit

Give a new twist on the Old Fashioned recipe by using Italian Amaro on the mixed drink called Cynar Toronto.

It is a complex mixed drink that features another layer of complexity by adding cynar to the recipe. 

Get a glass and make your own Cynar Toronto by mixing bourbon, cynar, angostura bitters, and sugar syrup.

You can have it as an aperitif or an after-dinner nightcap. 

Why Bourbon Is Great For Christmas Celebrations

Bourbon is great for Christmas celebrations because this liquor has a great flavor profile that blends well with different mixers.

Aside from its versatility, there’s a wide selection of bourbon whiskeys, and mid-priced bottles that taste great. 

FAQs

Can the best Christmas bourbon cocktails get you drunk?

Yes, the best Christmas bourbon cocktails can get you drunk because they contain alcohol.
However, if you intend to get drunk, it would be better to sip bourbon neat. Mixed drinks contain small amounts of alcohol, and it will take time to get drunk. 

Can you drink bourbon neat during Christmas parties?

Yes, you can sip bourbon neat during Christmas parties. If you are not a fan of mixed drinks, you can enjoy bourbon neat [2].
The liquor tastes sweeter and smoother than other whiskeys because it contains at least 51% corn on its mash bill [3]. 

What are some popular Christmas bourbon cocktails? 

Explore festive cocktails like the Bourbon Eggnog, Cranberry Bourbon Smash, and Bourbon Spiced Apple Cider.

Can I make Christmas bourbon cocktails at home?

Yes, these cocktails are simple to make and require basic ingredients, making them perfect for home bartenders looking to add a touch of holiday spirit to their gatherings.

Are Christmas bourbon cocktails suitable for holiday parties? 

Yes, these cocktails are excellent additions to any holiday gathering, providing warmth and cheer to guests while celebrating the festive season.

Do Christmas bourbon cocktails pair well with holiday meals?

Absolutely! The rich, warming flavors of bourbon complement traditional holiday dishes like roasted turkey, glazed ham, and hearty casseroles.

Are there any non-alcoholic alternatives to Christmas bourbon cocktails? 

Yes, you can easily create mocktail versions of these cocktails by substituting bourbon with alcohol-free alternatives like apple cider or ginger ale.

Final Say

There you have it, the best Christmas bourbon cocktails you can prepare at home for your friends and family.

Bourbon whiskey is a versatile and complex liquor, so you can craft different mixed drinks using it as a base liquor.

What bourbon-mixed drinks are you looking forward to making this holiday? Let us know by hitting our comment box. 

References:

  1. https://www.thespruceeats.com/old-fashioned-cocktail-recipe-and-history-759328 
  2. https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/how-to-drink-bourbon 
  3. https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/04/5-rules-that-make-it-bourbon.html
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