It’s that time of year when we’re about to flip to the last page of our calendars (yes, some of us at the Ben Lalez Team use paper calendars), so that means another long winter ahead.
But December does mean it’s the month of holiday cheer, so we thought we’d help you spice up your holiday gatherings by sharing our 12 favorite easy & creative cocktails (and warm drinks) that bring winter flavors to your glass.
You’ll be able to mix these drinks using accessible ingredients from any grocery or liquor store, and you don’t need crazy bartending skills. You’ll find cinnamon, peppermint, cranberry, and apple cider in the mix, plus a variety of base spirits: vodka, whiskey, rum, gin, tequila, and more.
So, although a season of blizzards is fast approaching, you can still enjoy toasty mugs of goodness and sparkling party punches. Each of these drinks will make your holiday vibe extra cozy.
Cheers, Chicago! 🎉
1. Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
| Ingredients | Dry red wine, a splash of brandy (optional), orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, and a bit of honey or sugar. |
| Instructions | In a pot, combine the wine, orange slices, and spices. Heat gently and simmer (don’t boil) for about 10 minutes to infuse the flavors. Stir in the brandy at the end for extra warmth. |
| Garnish | Ladle into mugs and drop in an orange wheel and cinnamon stick for a festive touch. |
We love this one so much because it’s a traditional spiced wine, served steaming hot, kinda like the Glühwein at Chicago’s Christkindlmarket. It fills your home with the aroma of cinnamon and citrus, instantly creating a warm holiday atmosphere.
2. Spiced Apple Cider Hot Toddy
| Ingredients | Apple cider (non-alcoholic “soft” cider or juice), whiskey or bourbon, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and a star anise pod. |
| Instructions | In a saucepan, combine apple cider, a squeeze of lemon, honey, cinnamon, and star anise. Simmer until steaming (a few minutes). Remove from heat, then stir in a shot of whiskey. Pour into a heatproof mug. |
| Garnish | Add a fresh cinnamon stick, and float a thin apple slice and lemon wheel in the mug for extra flair. |
This warm whiskey cocktail feels like autumn and winter in a cup. The apple cider and spices give a comforting, fireside feel, and it’ll soothe your throat on chilly Chicago nights. (Bonus: Using a local craft whiskey adds hometown pride to the mix!)
3. Peppermint Spiked Hot Chocolate
| Ingredients | Hot cocoa and a something extra like Baileys Irish Cream or peppermint schnapps. (You can also use peppermint vodka or crème de menthe for a minty kick) |
| Instructions | Make a mug of your favorite hot chocolate. Stir in 1–2 ounces of Baileys for a creamy mocha twist, or use peppermint schnapps if you want a cool mint flavor. Adjust sweetness if needed. |
| Garnish | Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane sprinkles. Hang a mini candy cane on the rim for a cute holiday look. |
There’s nothing better than a boozy hot cocoa to bring back childhood memories, but with an adult upgrade. The chocolate-peppermint combo tastes like a liquid Peppermint Patty candy, making this drink minty and sweet.
4. Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog)
| Ingredients | Cream of coconut (or coconut milk + sweetened condensed milk), evaporated milk, white rum, a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a splash of vanilla extract. |
| Instructions | In a blender, combine the coconut milk/cream, condensed or evaporated milk, rum, vanilla, and spices. Blend until smooth. Chill the mixture in the fridge for at least an hour. Coquito is served cold (never over ice), so it stays thick and creamy. |
| Garnish | Serve in small glasses. Dust the top with cinnamon or nutmeg, and you can add a cinnamon stick as a stirrer. |
Coquito is a sweet, creamy holiday cocktail from Puerto Rico that’s often called Puerto Rican eggnog (though authentic recipes have no egg). The blend of coconut, warm spices, and rum is rich and indulgent. You’ll go crazy over this one, we promise.
5. Cranberry Moscow Mule
| Ingredients | Vodka, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer. (Use 100% cranberry juice for tartness or cranberry cocktail for more sweetness.) |
| Instructions | Fill a copper mule mug (or any glass) with ice. Add about 2 ounces of vodka, 2–3 ounces of cranberry juice, and a squeeze of lime. Top it off with spicy ginger beer and give it a quick stir. |
| Garnish | Drop a few fresh cranberries into the drink and perch a lime slice on the rim. For a holiday touch, add a sprig of rosemary so it looks like a tiny Christmas tree and makes the drink extra festive. |
This festive, fizzy cocktail marries the zippy heat of ginger with tart cranberry. It’s a holiday twist on the classic mule that’s super refreshing yet seasonally appropriate. A great choice for parties, and you can even mix a big batch in advance.
6. Apple Cider Margarita
| Ingredients | Silver tequila, apple cider, fresh lemon (or lime) juice, and a cinnamon-sugar for the rim. Optionally, a splash of triple sec or orange liqueur for extra depth. |
| Instructions | In a pitcher or shaker, mix 2 parts apple cider with 1 part tequila and a squeeze of lemon. Run a citrus wedge around the rim of each glass and dip the rim in a mix of sugar + cinnamon (and a pinch of salt). Pour the margarita over ice in the prepared glasses. |
| Garnish | Slice a fresh apple into thin wedges. Garnish each drink with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick. |
The classic margarita gets a fall/winter spin with spiced cider and a cinnamon-sugar rim. It’s the best of both worlds and brings a taste of apple pie to your tequila. You can serve this from Thanksgiving through New Year’s!
7. Pomegranate Rosemary Gin Fizz
| Ingredients | Gin, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, simple syrup (infused with rosemary, if possible), and club soda. |
| Instructions | Fill a shaker with ice. Pour in ~2 oz gin, 1–2 oz pomegranate juice, 1/2 oz lemon juice, and a tablespoon of simple syrup. Shake well, then strain into an ice-filled glass. Top it off with a splash of chilled club soda and stir gently. |
| Garnish | Slap a fresh rosemary sprig between your palms (to release aroma) and stick it in the glass. Sprinkle a few pomegranate seeds on top to finish the look. |
This cocktail screams Christmas with its red hue and evergreen garnish. It’s crisp, refreshing, yet light enough to sip anytime. (Your guests will think it’s so fancy, but it’s really easy to make!)
8. Maple Cinnamon Old Fashioned
| Ingredients | Bourbon (or rye whiskey), pure maple syrup, Angostura bitters, and aromatic garnishes. |
| Instructions | In a rocks glass, stir together about 1/2 oz of maple syrup with 2-3 dashes of bitters. Add a big ice cube. Pour in 2 oz of bourbon and stir gently to combine. The maple syrup replaces the sugar in a classic Old Fashioned, bringing a warm richness. |
| Garnish | Twist an orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it in. Add a cinnamon stick and even a small sprig of fresh rosemary for aroma. |
This drink is a spiced-up twist on a classic Old Fashioned, with maple syrup and cinnamon creating a holiday flavor upgrade. It’s smooth, boozy, and slightly sweet. It might become one of your favorite holiday drinks this year.
9. Holiday Cranberry Sangria (Big Batch)
| Ingredients | A bottle of red wine (Merlot or Cabernet work well), apple cider, cranberry juice, an orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau), a bit of honey or sugar, and plenty of fruit (fresh cranberries, apples, and orange slices). |
| Instructions | In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, about 2 cups of apple cider, 1 cup of cranberry juice, and 1/2 cup of Triple Sec. Stir in 1/4 cup honey (to taste) until dissolved. Add a handful of cranberries and diced apples, plus slices of one orange. Let the sangria chill for at least a few hours (or overnight if possible). When ready to serve, give it a stir. For a little fizz, top off each glass with a splash of sparkling water or ginger ale when pouring. |
| Garnish | Pour into wine glasses (include some of the marinated fruit in each). Add a tall cinnamon stick to each glass as a stirrer/garnish. The cinnamon infuses more spice and looks festive. |
You can never go wrong with sangria, whether in the summer or winter! This cranberry-apple cider sangria is fruity, not too sweet, and filled with seasonal produce. It’s basically holiday cheer in a pitcher. Serve this at a party and your friends will be lining up for refills. (It’s also a great make-ahead option, so you can enjoy your party instead of bartending)
10. Candy Cane Peppermint Martini
| Ingredients | Vodka (plain or vanilla flavor), peppermint schnapps, a splash of white crème de cacao or heavy cream, and crushed candy canes for the rim. |
| Instructions | Crush a candy cane or peppermint candies on a plate. Rim a chilled martini glass with a bit of simple syrup or honey, then dip it into the candy cane bits to coat the rim. Mix the drink: In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine ~2 oz vodka, 1 oz peppermint schnapps, and (if you like it creamy) 1 oz of half-and-half or cream. Shake well until cold and frothy. Strain into the prepared glass. |
| Garnish | You can top this martini with a dollop of whipped cream and a small candy cane hooked on the rim, plus extra crushed peppermint on top. It looks like a little peppermint cloud! |
This bright red-and-white cocktail is basically Christmas in a glass. It’s sweet, minty, and festive, with the crushed candy cane rim giving you a fun crunch with each sip. If you love candy canes or peppermint mochas, this drink will be your holiday dessert cocktail of choice. (It’s also a great signature drink for a holiday party, and everyone will “ooh” and “aah” over the presentation)
11. Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail
| Ingredients | Cranberry juice, orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau), and chilled Champagne or prosecco. (The ratio is flexible, but roughly equal parts juice and bubbly, with a splash of liqueur.) |
| Instructions | In a champagne flute, pour about 1/2 oz orange liqueur and 2–3 oz cranberry juice. Give it a little stir. Then top with Champagne (around 3 oz), or fill the glass until it’s nicely bubbly. |
| Garnish | Drop a few fresh cranberries into the flute and add a small rosemary sprig. The red berries and green rosemary make it look super festive. |
Light, elegant, and bubbly, the Poinsettia is an easy 3-ingredient cocktail. The cranberry adds a tangy twist to your champagne. This drink is easy for everyone at the party to enjoy.
12. Gingerbread White Russian
| Ingredients | Vodka, Kahlúa (coffee liqueur), heavy cream (or half-and-half), and gingerbread flavor, either a gingerbread syrup or a DIY mix of molasses and ginger/cinnamon. |
| Instructions | Fill a short rocks glass with ice. Pour in 1 oz vodka and 1 oz Kahlúa. Add about 1/2 oz of gingerbread syrup (if you don’t have syrup, stir in a teaspoon of molasses and a pinch of ground ginger and cinnamon). Top it off with 1 oz of heavy cream. Stir gently until the creamy coffee-colored layers combine. |
| Garnish | Have fun with the toppings: a swirl of whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg, and even a small gingersnap cookie on the rim for garnish. You could also crumble a gingerbread cookie and rim the glass with it (dip the rim in honey, then in cookie crumbs). |
Imagine the taste of a creamy White Russian and a gingerbread cookie at the same time. The warm spices (ginger, cinnamon, clove) pair perfectly with coffee liqueur and cream, creating the ultimate sweet & creamy holiday cocktail.
Final Thoughts
We’re not saying you need to become a mixologist or stock your entire bar cart before December hits. But having a few of these recipes in your back pocket means you’re ready when friends drop by, or when you’re hosting a holiday get-together, or when you just want something warm and festive after a long Chicago day.
And if you’re thinking about buying or selling in Chicago and want to work with a team that actually knows the neighborhoods (and knows where to find good bourbon), reach out. We’d love to help you find your next place!
Cheers to a cozy December, Chicago!
