Holidays are awesome, and holidays with a well mixed cocktail are even better. My go to spirit of choice for holidays is bourbon.
And a good bourbon is loaded with rich, warm flavours. Bourbon goes well with just about any spiced winter drink, which is why I love bourbon cocktails at Christmas time.
They just make Christmas a little more cozy. So for this post, I am going to share some of my favourite Christmas cocktail recipes using bourbon.
They will blow you away and have your guests asking for seconds, guaranteed. If you love the holidays and think that something is NEVER too festive, then you are in the right place.
Linger awhile and grab your shaker. This post is going to get a little fizzy, a little sticky and boozy-filled.
May we stir up some holiday magic together and create some magic in a glass with my Top 13 Christmas Cocktail Recipes using Bourbon.
The 13 Best Christmas Cocktails with bourbon
1. Bourbon Eggnog
I love my standard winter cocktail, a cozy concoction of bourbon, heavy cream, and freshly grated nutmeg, especially when I add a dash of vanilla extract and a touch of cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup bourbon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
Instructions
2. Stir in the milk, heavy cream, bourbon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
3. Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks. If using salt, add it before whipping.
4. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the yolk mixture until fully incorporated.
5. Chill the eggnog in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
6. Serve in glasses, garnished with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg on top.
2. Bourbon Maple Apple Cider
I think the best way I can welcome the fall season would be to add a splash of bourbon to my apple cider. The maple syrup provides that sweetness I long for after the cinnamon’s spicyness, and the fresh apple slices add a little zing, without being too tart and acidic.
Of course, a little nutmeg just brings it all together.
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Apple slices, for garnish
- Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Instructions
1. Heat all ingredients on medium until it starts to simmer, then turn the heat to low, and let it continue to simmer for about 10 minutes. (not boiling)
3. Remove from heat and mix in the maple syrup and bourbon.
4. Pour the cocktail into mugs or heatproof glasses.
5. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!
3. Bourbon Hot Toddy
This tipple is wonderful for a cosy nightcap: a splash of bourbon, a drizzle of honey, a little squeeze of lemon, and a stick of cinnamon. My recipe always comes with a pinch of cloves and a pinch of nutmeg.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 lemon wheel
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 2 cloves (optional)
Instructions
1. In a heatproof mug, combine bourbon, honey, and lemon juice.
2. Pour in the hot water and stir until the honey is completely dissolved.
3. Add the cinnamon stick and stir briefly.
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and, if desired, a star anise and cloves.
5. Let it steep for a minute, then serve warm.
4. Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail
I’m a big fan of a bracing, festive cocktail – give me some bourbon, cranberry juice, a dash of sparkling water, and I’m a happy guy. I like to take it up a notch by adding splash of maple syrup and a squeeze of fresh lime, because a little citrus does the trick.
It feels like I’m celebrating with each sip.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- Fresh cranberries, for garnish
- Sprig of rosemary, for garnish
- Ice
Instructions
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add bourbon, cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy your festive cocktail!
5. Gingerbread Bourbon Old Fashioned
I love the complexity of these warm flavors, and I enjoy making them come together in this seasonal cocktail. Combining bourbon and the sweetness of gingerbread syrup creates a warm, festive drink.
I think the dash of bitters and the ginger garnish complete this classic. Let’s explore these delicious ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice cubes
- Orange twist (for garnish)
- Candied ginger (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Add the bourbon, gingerbread syrup, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass.
2. Fill the glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
4. Strain the oils from an orange twist over the drink and then drop it in.
5. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger.
6. Enjoy your Gingerbread Bourbon Old Fashioned responsibly!
6. Spiced Bourbon Milk Punch
Bourbon, milk, and a spice combination of cinnamon and nutmeg, I’ve always considered this a wonderful comforting combination to put together to create this bursting hearty beverage. I would be remiss to not include the vanilla essence and clove.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup simple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Ice cubes
- Ground nutmeg (for garnish)
- Cinnamon stick (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
1. Mix the whole milk, heavy cream, bourbon, simple syrup, vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves in a large pitcher.
2. Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine all ingredients well.
3. Fill serving glasses with ice cubes.
4. Pour the spiced bourbon milk punch over the ice in each glass.
5. Cover each glass with ground nutmeg and a cinnamon stick, if you like.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy the holiday cheer!
7. Bourbon Pecan Pie Martini
I love to treat myself to a rich, indulgent cocktail to make my evenings a little more special and this decadent drink brings together all my favourite flavours in one perfect glass. This creamy tipple is made with delicious bourbon, smooth butterscotch schnapps, and just a dash of pecan goodness.
I like to add a touch of vanilla vodka to this drink to take it to the next level, and I finish the cocktail off with some brown sugar and crushed pecans for an even more irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Ingredients
-
1.5 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz RumChata
- 1 oz Pecan Liqueur
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
- Cinnamon Sugar (for rimming the glass)
- Candied Pecans (for garnish)
- Ice
Instructions
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the bourbon, RumChata, pecan liqueur, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
5. Garnish with candied pecans before serving.
8. Bourbon Cinnamon Smash
Picture a cosy autumn evening, a roaring hearth, a drink in hand. My version begins with a bourbon base, then adds aromatic cinnamon syrup, muddled mint leaves, and a touch of lemon juice.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz cinnamon simple syrup
- 1 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Cinnamon stick and lemon wheel for garnish
- Ice
Instructions
1.Place bourbon, cinnamon simple syrup, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add some ice and shake it hard for about 15-20 seconds, until cold.
3. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a lemon wheel.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy your festive Bourbon Cinnamon Smash!
9. Bourbon Chocolate Peppermint Cocktail
No cocktail pairs with my holiday indulgences like a combination of chocolate, peppermint and bourbon. Creamy chocolate syrup, peppermint schnapps and a bottle of my favorite pucker-up bourbon and you have one of my favorite winter cocktails.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz chocolate liqueur
- 1 oz peppermint schnapps
- 1 oz heavy cream
- Ice cubes
- Chocolate shavings, for garnish
- Crushed candy canes, for garnish
- Whipped cream, for garnish
Instructions
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
2. Add the bourbon, chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps, and heavy cream to the shaker.
3. Shake well until the mixture is thoroughly chilled.
4. Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and crushed candy canes.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy your festive Bourbon Chocolate Peppermint Cocktail!
10. Bourbon Mulled Wine
There’s nothing like a warm, spiced drink on the fire in winter. A traditional mulled wine is instantly improved with a few drops of bourbon.
Mine includes cinnamon sticks, star anise and some honey.
Ingredients
1 bottle of red wine (750 ml, preferably Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
1 cup bourbon
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
4 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 apple, cored and sliced
Optional: additional sliced citrus or cranberries for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large pot, mix the red wine, bourbon, and honey (or maple syrup). Stir.
2. Put in orange slices, lemon slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole peppercorns and grated nutmeg.
3. Warm over low heat until simmering (do not boil) for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the apple slices and continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and let it sit for a few minutes to steep.
6. Serve warm, garnished with additional citrus slices or cranberries if desired.
11. Bourbon Sour with Cranberry
This recipe has bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice and simple syrup stirred together in a glass, but it always seems improved by several dashes of bitters.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries and lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
2. Add bourbon, cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup to shaker.
3. Shake well until the mixture is chilled, about 15-20 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a lemon wheel.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy the festive flavor!
12. Maple Bourbon Smash
This cocktail involves bourbon and maple syrup. I like to add some lemon juice to brighten it up.
Splash of club soda?
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz pure maple syrup
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice cubes
- Club soda
- Fresh thyme or rosemary sprig (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Shake together the bourbon, maple syrup, lemon juice and Angostura bitters in a cocktail shaker.
2. Pour the shaker into ice and shake well for 15 or 20 seconds until very cold.
3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
4. Top off with a splash of club soda.
5. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy your Maple Bourbon Smash!
13. Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate
Nothing beats a night in with my favourite drink: hot chocolate (with a bit of bourbon), a mound of whipped cream on top, and cinnamon with a splash of vanilla extract and a marshmallow or three on top!
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- Whipped cream (for garnish)
- Chocolate shavings (for garnish)
Instructions
1.Shake the powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and instant espresso into a medium saucepan. Stir in the milk and heavy cream along with the granulated sugar.
2. Whisk continuously over medium heat until the mixture is hot but not boiling.
3. Add the semisweet chocolate chips and stir until fully melted and smooth.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and bourbon. 5) Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and add whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy your festive Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate!
