25 Christmas Vodka Cocktails

These Christmas vodka cocktails are my holiday party plan this year: 25 days of festive drinks, from creamy peppermint martinis to a frozen cranberry slush you make the day before. Every one starts with vodka, so one bottle covers the whole menu.

There are dessert martinis, bright cranberry sips and big-batch punches for a crowd. Most take 5 minutes and a shaker.

I'll skip cooking, but I'll always say yes to mixing a fun cocktail or mocktail. Instant vibes. Espresso martinis are my go-to all year, so the Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini (#5) is the one I'm making first.

Hosting a holiday party this year? You'll also love my 35 Easy Christmas Cocktails, these 30 Christmas Punch Recipes and my 25 Easy Christmas Party Snacks for Adults.

Creamy Christmas Vodka Martinis

1. Christmas Tree Cake Martini

A frosting and sprinkle rim, Christmas Tree Cakes creamer, whipped cream and a whole Christmas Tree Cake on top. It tastes like the snack cake, in martini form.

Ingredients Needed: vodka, Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes coffee creamer, heavy cream, frosting, holiday sprinkles, whipped cream, 1 Christmas Tree Cake, ice

Get the full recipe: Christmas Tree Cake Martini

2. White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

White chocolate sauce and peppermint schnapps shaken with cream, in a glass rimmed with frosting and crushed candy canes.

Ingredients Needed: vodka, white chocolate sauce, peppermint schnapps, heavy cream, frosting, mini candy canes, ice

Get the full recipe: White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

3. Baileys Peppermint Martini

Baileys and peppermint schnapps with a splash of vodka, poured over a chocolate drizzle and topped with whipped cream and a mini candy cane.

Ingredients Needed: Baileys, peppermint schnapps, vodka, whipped cream, mini candy canes, chocolate sauce, ice

Get the full recipe: Baileys Peppermint Martini

4. Sugar Cookie Martini

Vanilla vodka, amaretto and Baileys (or RumChata) with half and half, in a frosting and sprinkle rimmed glass. It really does taste like a frosted sugar cookie.

Ingredients Needed: vanilla vodka, amaretto, Baileys or RumChata, half and half or milk, white frosting, sprinkles

Get the full recipe: Sugar Cookie Martini

5. Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini

My Espresso Martini gets a peppermint mocha upgrade with Kahlúa Peppermint Mocha and a crushed candy cane rim. Shake it hard for that foamy top.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz peppermint mocha coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa Peppermint Mocha)
• 1 oz chilled espresso
• 1 oz simple syrup
• mini candy canes (crushed for the rim, whole for garnish)

Instructions:

1. If you want a rim, dip each glass in simple syrup, then in crushed candy canes.
2. Fill a shaker halfway with ice. Add the vodka, liqueur, espresso and simple syrup.
3. Shake hard for about 30 seconds to build the foam.
4. Strain into 2 martini glasses and add a mini candy cane.

6. Peppermint Bark Martini

Chocolate liqueur, cream and peppermint vodka in a glass dipped in melted chocolate and crushed candy cane. Basically peppermint bark you can sip.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 candy cane, crushed
• 2 oz chocolate bark, melted (for the rim)
• 3 oz chocolate liqueur or crème de cacao
• 5 oz light cream or half and half, plus more for the swirl
• 3 oz peppermint vodka
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix
• 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup

Instructions:

1. Spread the crushed candy cane in a small bowl. Melt the chocolate bark in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
2. Dip each glass rim in the chocolate, then in the candy cane. Let it set.
3. Shake the chocolate liqueur, cream, peppermint vodka, cocoa powder and chocolate syrup with ice. Taste and adjust.
4. Strain into the glasses. For a swirl, pour a little cream on top and drag a toothpick through it.

7. Candy Cane Martini

Homemade candy cane vodka (just vodka and candy canes in a jar) shaken with Baileys. Creamy, minty and so festive.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• Candy cane vodka: 2 cups vodka and 5 candy canes, plus extra crushed candy canes for the rims
• 3 oz candy cane vodka
• 3 oz Baileys Irish Cream

Instructions:

1. Drop the candy canes into the vodka in a sealed jar. Let it sit 2 to 4 hours, until the candy dissolves. It keeps up to a week in the fridge.
2. Dip the glass rims in water, then in crushed candy canes.
3. Shake the candy cane vodka and Baileys with ice.
4. Strain into the glasses.

8. White Christmas Martini

Vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur and white crème de cacao, with a sparkly sanding sugar rim. All white, all snow day.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 2 oz white chocolate liqueur
• 1 oz white crème de cacao
• 1 oz half and half
• honey and coarse sanding sugar for the rim

Instructions:

1. Dip the glass rim in honey, then in sanding sugar.
2. Add the vodka, white chocolate liqueur, crème de cacao and half and half to a shaker with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into the glass.

9. Gingerbread Martini

Vodka and Baileys with gingerbread syrup, a spoon of molasses and milk. It tastes like a gingerbread cookie dunked in cream.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz Baileys Irish Cream
• ½ oz gingerbread syrup
• 1 teaspoon molasses
• 2 oz whole or 2% milk
• 1 cinnamon stick
• crushed gingerbread cookies or sprinkles for the rim (optional)

Instructions:

1. If you like, rim a martini glass with crushed gingerbread cookies or sprinkles.
2. Add everything except the cinnamon stick to a shaker with ice.
3. Shake for about 30 seconds and strain into the glass. Add the cinnamon stick.

10. Eggnog Martini

Just 3 ingredients: eggnog, vanilla vodka and amaretto. Fresh nutmeg on top makes it.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 3 oz eggnog
• 1 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz amaretto
• fresh nutmeg
• cinnamon sugar for the rim (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rim a chilled martini glass with cinnamon sugar, if using.
2. Shake the eggnog, vodka and amaretto with ice.
3. Strain into the glass and grate fresh nutmeg over the top.

11. Hot Chocolate Martini

Cooled hot chocolate shaken with vanilla vodka, Baileys and crème de cacao, then topped with mini marshmallows. Salted caramel Baileys and salted caramel cocoa are a fun swap.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz Baileys (regular or salted caramel)
• 1 oz crème de cacao
• 3 oz prepared hot chocolate, cooled
• 4 mini marshmallows
• ice

Instructions:

1. Add everything except the marshmallows to a shaker with a few ice cubes.
2. Shake for about 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a martini glass and float the marshmallows on top.

12. Gingerbread White Russian

Vodka and Kahlúa shaken with honey, molasses and gingerbread spices, then topped with cream. No syrup to make ahead.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• Rim: 2 teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 oz vodka
• 2 oz Kahlúa
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon molasses
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 oz heavy cream
• Crushed ice and ground cinnamon, for serving

Instructions:

1. Mix the sugar and cinnamon on a plate. Wet the rim of a lowball glass and roll it in the mix.
2. Shake the vodka, Kahlúa, honey, molasses, ginger and cinnamon with ice.
3. Fill the glass with crushed ice and strain the drink in until it's about ¾ full.
4. Pour the cream over the top, stir gently and dust with cinnamon.

13. Peppermint White Russian

My Classic White Russian with peppermint schnapps and a crushed peppermint rim. Equal parts of three liqueurs, so it's easy to remember.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• ¾ oz coffee liqueur
• ¾ oz vodka
• ¾ oz peppermint schnapps
• 1 tablespoon half and half, plus more to taste
• simple syrup and crushed peppermints or candy canes for the rim
• whipped cream and a candy cane (optional)

Instructions:

1. Dip the rim of a rocks glass in simple syrup, then in crushed peppermint.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Stir the coffee liqueur, vodka and peppermint schnapps together in the glass (or shake them first).
4. Top with half and half. Add whipped cream and a candy cane if you like.

14. Grinch Martini

Bright green vanilla vodka with green crème de menthe and white chocolate liqueur, plus two cherries on a pick for the Grinch's heart.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz green crème de menthe
• 1 oz white chocolate liqueur (like Godiva)
• electric green gel food coloring
• red cake drip or red icing for the rim (optional)
• 2 maraschino cherries
• ice

Instructions:

1. If you want the drip rim, pipe red cake drip around the rim and let it set (a day ahead is best).
2. Stir 2 drops of green gel coloring into the vodka until dissolved.
3. Add ice, the green vodka, chocolate liqueur and crème de menthe to a shaker or mixing glass. Stir well.
4. Pour into the glass and add 2 cherries on a pick.

Fruity and Bubbly Christmas Vodka Cocktails

15. Cranberry Christmas Mule

A Christmas spin on my Moscow Mule: vodka, cranberry, lime and ginger beer, with mint and fresh cranberries in a copper mug.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 2 oz cranberry juice cocktail
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 3 oz ginger beer
• 2 sprigs mint
• lime wedges and fresh cranberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug or glass with ice.
2. Add the vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice and ginger beer and stir.
3. Garnish with mint, lime wedges and cranberries.

16. Cranberry Rosemary Cosmo

Cranberry vodka, fresh lime and a homemade rosemary simple syrup. Tart, piney and very Christmas.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• Rosemary syrup: 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 5 to 6 rosemary sprigs
• 4 to 4½ oz cranberry vodka
• 2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1½ oz rosemary simple syrup
• 6 to 8 fresh cranberries and 2 rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Bring the water to a boil, stir in the sugar until it dissolves, add the rosemary and boil 1 minute. Steep off the heat for about an hour, then strain and cool. It keeps 2 weeks in the fridge.
2. Chill 2 coupe or martini glasses.
3. Shake the vodka, lime juice and syrup with ice for 30 seconds.
4. Strain into the glasses and garnish with cranberries and rosemary.

17. Mistletoe Martini

Vodka, cranberry, pomegranate and lime, with fresh cranberries in the glass and a rosemary sprig on top. A pretty red martini with a sweet-tart finish.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz vodka
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• ½ oz lime juice
• 1 cup ice
• fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Shake the vodka, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice and lime juice with the ice.
2. Drop a few cranberries into a martini glass.
3. Strain the drink into the glass and add the rosemary sprig.

18. Sugar Plum Fairy Martini

Vodka, cranberry and amaretto with fresh lemon and a splash of ginger ale. Sugared cranberries on a pick make it look like a Nutcracker dream.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz amaretto
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• Splash of ginger ale
• Sugared cranberries (optional): ½ cup sugar (divided), ¼ cup water, 1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions:

1. For the sugared cranberries, dissolve ¼ cup sugar in the water over heat, stir in the cranberries, then roll them in the remaining sugar. Let them dry on a rack for about an hour.
2. Shake the vodka, cranberry juice, amaretto and lemon juice hard with ice for about 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a martini glass, top with ginger ale and stir gently. Add the sugared cranberries.

19. Pomegranate Christmas Martini

Vodka, orange liqueur and pomegranate juice with a gold sugar rim, pomegranate seeds and rosemary. This one makes a pitcher, so it's great for a party.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (16 oz) vodka
• 1 cup (8 oz) orange liqueur, like Cointreau
• 1 cup (8 oz) pomegranate juice
• juice of 1 lemon
• ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
• lemon twists
• rosemary sprigs
• gold sanding sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Stir the vodka, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice and lemon juice together in a pitcher and chill.
2. Dip the glass rims in a little water, then in gold sugar.
3. Pour into the glasses. Add about a tablespoon of pomegranate seeds, a lemon twist and a rosemary sprig to each. Serve over ice if you like.

20. Grinch Cocktail

Midori, vodka, pineapple and lime topped with lemon-lime soda, in a glass rimmed with red sanding sugar. Fizzy, fruity and very green.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon red sanding sugar
• 2 oz Midori melon liqueur
• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• ½ oz lime juice
• 3 oz lemon-lime soda
• a maraschino cherry and lime slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Dip the glass rim in water, then in the red sugar.
2. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the Midori and vodka, then the pineapple and lime juices.
3. Top with the soda and stir.
4. Garnish with the cherry and lime slice.

Big-Batch Christmas Vodka Drinks

21. Christmas Punch

Prosecco, cranberry vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice and ginger ale, all poured into one bowl. Five ingredients and it serves 20.

Serves: 20 small glasses

Ingredients:

• 1 (750 ml) bottle dry Champagne or Prosecco
• 2 cups cranberry vodka (or plain vodka)
• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups 100% cranberry juice
• 2 cups ginger ale
• orange slices, fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Chill everything well.
2. Pour all 5 drinks into a large pitcher or punch bowl and stir gently.
3. Add orange slices, cranberries and rosemary and serve right away.

22. Jingle Juice

Red moscato, Prosecco, cranberry and pomegranate juice with a little vodka. Sweet, bubbly and bright red. Frozen cranberries keep it cold without watering it down.

Serves: 14

Ingredients:

• 1 (750 ml) bottle red moscato, chilled
• 1 (750 ml) bottle Prosecco, chilled
• 4 cups 100% cranberry juice, chilled
• 3 cups pomegranate juice, chilled
• ½ cup vodka, chilled
• frozen cranberries and rosemary for serving
• sugar for the rims (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pour the moscato, Prosecco, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice and vodka into a punch bowl or drink dispenser.
2. Add frozen cranberries and rosemary.
3. Serve right away in sugar-rimmed glasses if you like.

23. Frozen Cranberry Vodka Slush

Make it the day before, freeze it, then scoop it into glasses with a splash of Sprite. Red Jell-O gives it that slushy texture and holiday color.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

• 1 (3 oz) box red Jell-O
• 12 oz boiling water
• 1 (12 oz) can frozen lemonade concentrate, softened
• 12 oz orange juice
• 24 oz cranberry juice
• 20 oz vodka
• splash of 7UP or Sprite
• sugared cranberries (optional)

Instructions:

1. Stir the Jell-O into the boiling water until dissolved.
2. In a large freezer-safe container, mix the Jell-O, lemonade, orange juice, cranberry juice and vodka until the lemonade dissolves.
3. Cover and freeze until firm, up to 24 hours.
4. Scoop into glasses, add a splash of 7UP or Sprite and top with sugared cranberries.

24. Santa Hat Jello Shots

Strawberry Jell-O shots topped with whipped cream and an upside-down strawberry, so each one looks like a little Santa hat.

Serves: 12 shots

Ingredients:

• 1 (3 oz) box strawberry Jell-O
• 1 cup boiling water
• ½ cup vodka
• ½ cup cold water
• whipped cream
• 12 strawberries, stems removed

Instructions:

1. Whisk the Jell-O into the boiling water until fully dissolved.
2. Stir in the cold water and vodka and cool for about 20 minutes.
3. Pour into 12 small plastic cups and chill until set, about 2 hours or overnight.
4. Right before serving, add whipped cream, an upside-down strawberry and a tiny dot of whipped cream on the tip.

25. Christmas Cranberry Vodka Spritz

Vodka and cranberry with a cinnamon cranberry syrup, topped with lemon-lime soda. Light and fizzy, for when you want something less sweet.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• Cranberry cinnamon syrup: ½ cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 cinnamon stick, ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1½ oz vodka
• 1½ oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz cranberry cinnamon syrup
• 1 to 2 oz lemon-lime soda
• Sugar and a lime wedge for the rim; fresh cranberries and a lime slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Simmer the syrup ingredients for 5 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then strain and cool.
2. Rub the glass rim with lime and dip it in sugar. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add the cranberry juice, syrup and vodka and stir.
4. Top with the soda and garnish with cranberries and lime.

Tips for Easy Christmas Vodka Cocktails

• Rim everything. Frosting, crushed candy canes, sanding sugar and cookie crumbs make even a 2-ingredient drink look party-ready. Set up the rims an hour before guests come.
• Batch it: multiply any single drink by 8, stir it in a pitcher without ice and chill. Shake single servings with ice to order, or pour over ice.
• Make-ahead heroes - the Cranberry Vodka Slush (#23) and the Santa Hat Jello Shots (#24) are made the day before. The rosemary and cranberry syrups keep 2 weeks in the fridge.
• Flavored vodka shortcut. Vanilla vodka shows up in a lot of these, so one bottle covers the dessert martinis. The Candy Cane Martini (#7) shows how to make candy cane vodka with what you have.
• Keep punches bubbly. Add the Prosecco, ginger ale or soda right before serving, and use frozen cranberries instead of ice.
• Mocktail swap: most of the fruity drinks work without vodka. Use sparkling water or extra juice in its place.

FAQs

What's the best vodka for Christmas cocktails?

A mid-range vodka you'd drink on its own is all you need. Tito's, Absolut, Smirnoff and Ketel One all work great in mixed drinks, and Grey Goose is a nice splurge for the simpler martinis. For the creamy martinis, a vanilla vodka like Absolut Vanilia, Smirnoff Vanilla or Stoli Vanil adds flavor without extra steps.

Can I make Christmas vodka cocktails ahead of time?

Yes. Mix the non-bubbly parts of any drink and chill them for up to a day. Add soda, Prosecco or ginger ale right before serving. The slush and jello shots are made the day before.

How do I get candy canes to stick to the rim?

Wet the rim with simple syrup, honey or melted chocolate, then press it into finely crushed candy canes. Let it set for a few minutes before pouring.

More Christmas Drinks

• 35 Easy Christmas Cocktails
• 30 Christmas Punch Recipes
• 26 Winter Cocktails
• 20 Best Holiday Cocktail Recipes