12 Best Cocktail Recipes to Bring You Cheer All Year

As the year winds down and the weather cools off, there’s no better time to enjoy your favorite holiday cocktail with family, friends, and the people you love the most… Whether you celebrate Christmas or another holiday, ‘tis the time to gather with loved ones and unwrap the joy of the season with merry mixes spiced with dashes of festivity and sprinkles of fun in every sip!

To get you started with your holiday cheer, we’ve put together 12 cocktail recipes to make at home (or enjoy at select Westgate Resorts properties) so you can celebrate the end of this year or enjoy throughout the new year.

Easy Christmas Cocktails to Make at Home

Whether you love gin, bourbon, vodka, or even whiskey, there’s a cocktail on our list you’ll be sure to love. Inspired by Westgate Resorts properties, these cocktails are festive and sure to put you in a vacation state of mind.

The great part about these holiday drink recipes is that they’re so easy to whip up for a last-minute get-together or if the in-laws change their minds and decide they’re coming over for Christmas.

Without further ado, get ready to drink up (and drink responsibly) with some amazing holiday cocktails that are sure to impress your friends and family!

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1 | Tis’ The Season | Imagine sipping on the perfect Christmas bourbon cocktail, an old fashion with house-made Christmas demerara syrup and angostura bitters. Get festive with family and friends and feel the warm and cozy feelings of the holiday season in your belly. If you like old fashions, this Christmas cocktail is sure to be a new favorite.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Bourbon

• 2 oz. Angostura Bitters

• .25 oz. House-Made Christmas Demerara Syrup

Instructions:

• Crush gingerbread and line the rim of a lowball glass.

• Pour bourbon into a lowball glass with ice. You can also add all the liquid ingredients to a shaker with ice.

• Add demerara syrup.

• Add bitters.

• Stir to mix or shake to mix.

• Top with a mini candy cane and enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND IT: You can get this handcrafted cocktail at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino!

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2 | Edge of Indulgence | If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas cocktails with vodka, look no further than the Edge of Indulgence. This Christmas cocktail is chocolatey and creamy, and it’s perfect for dessert! This holiday drink might even remind you of a melted snowman, but boy is it tasty!

Ingredients:

• 1.25 oz. Tito’s Vodka

• .5 oz. Kahlua

• .5 oz. Double Chocolate Liqueur

• .25 oz. Vanilla Syrup

• .25 oz. Gingerbread Syrup

• 1.5 oz. Heavy Cream

• Dollop of Whipped Cream

• Crumbled Gingerbread Cookie

• Candy Cane Garnish

Instructions:

• In a cocktail shaker, pour Tito’s Vodka, Kahlua, double chocolate liqueur, vanilla syrup, gingerbread syrup, and heavy cream. Then, dry shake until frothy.

• Pour in ice and shake again to chill.

• Rim a glass with coarse cane sugar and cocoa powder strain into rimmed glass.

• Top with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle crumbled gingerbread cookie.

• Serve with candy cane garnish topped with mini marshmallows and enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND IT: Grab this delicious concoction at Edge Steakhouse at Westgate Park City Resort & Spa!

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3 | You’re a Mean One | It’s the drink that stole Christmas! Or maybe it’s the drink that stole the spotlight of your next holiday get-together! This rum Christmas cocktail is a vibrant green-with-envy beverage that is sure to be a talker. It’ll brighten up spirits this holiday season!

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Midori

• 1 oz. Parrot Bay Clear Rum

• 5 oz. Starry Soda

• Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

• Fill a rocks glass with ice.

• Add Midori liqueur and Parrot Bay Clear Rum.

• Top with Starry soda and stir gently to combine.

• Top with a Maraschino cherry and enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND IT: Grab this green-with-envy cocktail at Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa!

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4 | Soco & Cocoa | Perfect for those chilly nights on the mountain, the Soco & Cocoa will have you feeling all warm and toasty. Sit by the fire and toast to the new year, remembering all the good times the past year brought you.

Ingredients:

• 1.25 oz. Southern Comfort

• .5 oz. Baileys

• Hot Chocolate

• Mini Marshmallows

Instructions:

• Make a pot of your favorite hot cocoa!

• In a mug, pour in Southern Comfort and Baileys.

• Pour the hot chocolate over top.

• Garnish with mini marshmallows and enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND IT: Feel the warm and fuzzies with this spiked hot cocoa at Southern Comfort at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park!

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5 | Conestoga Campfire | Feel the campfire glow in this handcrafted Christmas whiskey cocktail. Its smoky and creamy finish will go down smooth as you warm up during cold, winter nights. A drink so good, you feel warm and fuzzy both inside and out!

Ingredients:

• 1.25 oz. Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey

• .5 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps

• 1 oz. Baileys

• .25 oz. Caramel

• Splash of Cream

• Toasted Marshmallow Garnish

Instructions:

• Into a mixing shaker, pour in Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey, Butterscotch Schnapps, Baileys, caramel syrup, and a splash of cream.

• Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.

• Rim a rocks glass with chocolate syrup & graham cracker dust, then drizzle the glass with chocolate syrup.

• Fill with ice.

• Strain the shaker into the ice-filled rocks glass.

• Spear a jumbo marshmallow with a fire-safe pick and toast the marshmallow with a torch lighter.

• Serve and enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND IT: You can find this boozy s’more-like concoction at Cattle Company Chophouse & Bar at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo!

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6 | Manhattan Mistletoe | It’s red and green, taking the festivities to another level with this Christmas gin cocktail! There’s nothing like a New York City Christmas! Give in to the holiday spirit with the Manhattan Mistletoe, a delightful cranberry gin fizz with subtle notes of orange and bubbles. Feel the merriment of the season with this classic cocktail!

Ingredients:

• 4 Cranberries

• 2 Orange Half-Wheels

• 1.5 oz. Simple Syrup

• 2 oz. London Dry Gin

• Cranberry Juice (To Top)

• Club Soda (Chilled to Top)

• Thyme Sprig (To Garnish)

• 3 Cranberries (To Garnish)

Instructions:

• In a Collins glass, muddle the cranberries and orange half-wheels with the simple syrup.

• Fill the glass with ice and add the gin.

• Top with a mixture of two parts cranberry juice to one part club soda.

• Stir with a thyme sprig, leaving it in the glass, and garnish with three additional cranberries.

WHERE TO FIND IT: Grab this festive cocktail at Tudor City Tavern at Westgate New York Grand Central!

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7 | Elfin’ Espresso | This holiday coffee cocktail is supercharged to help Santa’s elves prepare for the big night. With bourbon, cold brew, or espresso, it’s sure to be a good Christmas morning!

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream

• 2 oz. Cold Brew Coffee or Double Shot of Espresso

• Cinnamon or Cocoa Dust on Top

• Serve on the Rocks

Instructions:

• Fill a rocks glass with ice.

• Pour in cold brew coffee or a double shot of espresso.

• Pour in Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream.

• Dust with cinnamon and cocoa dust on top.

• Garnish with cinnamon stick (optional).

WHERE TO FIND IT: This drink was inspired by Westgate Palace Resort! Check it out for your next getaway!

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8 | Coquito Clause | Santa Claus will surely enjoy this drink! With fireball whiskey, Rumchata, and vodka, this drink blends right in with Santa’s white beard. His cheeks will definitely be rosy with all the merriment of this holiday drink!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Rumchata

• 1 oz. Vanilla Vodka

• 1.5 oz. Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

• Splash of Cream

• Cinnamon Sugar Rim

• Optional Cinnamon Stick

Instructions:

• Pour into a shaker: Rumchata, Vanilla rum, Fireball, sweet cream, or half and half and three dashes of cinnamon.

• Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.

• Rim a rocks glass with cinnamon sugar.

• Strain drink over fresh ice.

• Garnish with a dash of cinnamon sugar and a cinnamon stick. Enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND IT: You can sip on this delicious cocktail at Los Amigos Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar at Westgate Town Center Resort!

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9 | Fa, La, La Flamingo | The Fa, La, La Flamingo is pretty in pink for the holidays. With candy cane vodka, vanilla, and sugar, you’ll instantly feel the sugar rush of the holidays and dream about sugar plums and fairies! Enjoy this drink at home to feel the cheer of the holiday season!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Candy Cane Vodka

• 2 oz. Crème de Cacao White

• 1 oz. Vanilla Simple Syrup

• .5 oz. Cream

• 1 Candy Cane Garnish

• Sparkling Sugar Rim

Instructions:

• In a sandwich bag place 10 candy canes. Crush them up very finely with something heavy. Save some for the garnish.

• Pour the crushed candy cane pieces into a jar.

• Pour vodka over the crushed candy cane pieces.

• Shake the jar and let it sit for an hour. Shake periodically.

• When the mixture is done soaking, finely strain it into another jar.

• In a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and add in candy cane vodka, Crème de Cacao White, vanilla simple syrup, and half and half.

• Shake for 30 seconds.

• Rim a rocks glass with water and sparkling sugar.

• Fill with crushed ice.

• Strain the drink over crushed ice.

• Garnish with crumbled-up candy canes and enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND IT: This drink was inspired by Westgate Flamingo Bay Resort! Check it out for your next getaway!

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10 | Ozark Jingle Juice | A beautiful cocktail with cranberries as the star of the show! Feel jolly with our Ozark Jingle Juice cocktail. With Moscato, Cointreau Noir, Wheatley Vodka, sparkling apple cider, and more, this cocktail will have you and/or your guests going back for more merriment in a glass! It’s the perfect cranberry Christmas cocktail!

Ingredients: Makes 8 drinks. Use a punch bowl.

• 3 Cups Sweetened Cranberry Juice

• 1 Bottle (750 ml) of Moscato

• 2/3 Cup Cointreau Noir

• 1 Cup Wheatley Vodka

• 25 oz. Bottle of Sparkling Apple Cider

• 2 Cups Frozen Cranberries

• 3 Limes (Cut Thin)

• 1/4 Cup Fresh Mint Leaves

Instructions:

• Rim a glass with water and sparkling sugar.

• Ladle drink mixture into rimmed glass and serve.

• Garnish with fresh mint and enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND IT: This drink was inspired by Westgate Branson Lakes Resort! Check it out for your next getaway!

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11 | Colonial Cocoa | Who doesn’t love hot cocoa during the holidays?! This boozy hot cocoa takes it up a notch with Buffalo Trace, Kahlua, espresso, and cinnamon! Enjoy a quaint night at home, surrounded by friends and family, as you share in holiday traditions and make unforgettable memories!

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Buffalo Trace

• 1 oz. Kahlua

• Double Shot of Espresso

• 1 oz. Simple Syrup

• 2 oz. half and half

• Cinnamon

• Gingerbread Cookie Dust

Instructions:

• Fill a rocks glass with ice and pour in Kahlua and half and half. Don’t stir. This will create a layered effect.

• In a mixing shaker, add a double shot of espresso, simple syrup, and Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Shake for 10 seconds.

• Strain on top of previous layer. Don’t stir!

• Top with whipped cream and cinnamon gingerbread cookie dust. Enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND IT: This drink was inspired by Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort! Check it out for your next getaway!

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12 | Mele Kaliki-Mai Tai | Say “aloha” to the holidays! Gather your ohana and enjoy a tropical-themed cocktail perfect for Christmas. Say goodbye to the cold and overcast weather and hello to sunshine and sand! Drinking this cocktail might have you seeing surfin’ Santas! Hey, even the big man needs to relax and let out some steam.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Parrot Bay Light Rum

• 1 oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

• .25 oz. Orange Juice

• .25 oz. Pineapple Juice

• .25 oz. Cranberry Juice

• .25 oz. Grenadine

• .25 oz. Myers Rum Float

• Edible Orchid, Mint, Candied Cranberry Garnish

• Simple Syrup and Sugar for the Candied Cranberries

Instructions:

• In a mixing shaker, fill with ice, pour in Parrot Bay Light Rum, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice, then shake vigorously.

• Rim a rocks glass with water and sparkling sugar, then fill with ice.

• Strain the mixture over the top of the ice.

• Sink Grenadine to the bottom by pouring directly on the inside of the glass.

• Float Myers Dark Rum on top.

• Garnish with edible orchid, mint sprig, and candied cranberries. Enjoy!

• To candy the cranberries, coat them in simple syrup and let dry for an hour. Roll in sugar.

WHERE TO FIND IT: Have a very merry tropical Christmas with this drink at Aloha Tiki Bar at Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort!

12 Sips of Christmas to Make Holiday Spirits Bright

We hope our list of cocktails inspires you to get creative this holiday season. If you’re into advent calendars, why not try one each day for the last 12 days of the Christmas season?! If not, that’s OK too. Try one or try them all, but please remember to drink responsibly.

The holidays are about reflecting on the past year, practicing gratitude, and gathering with your loved ones, both friends and family. So, grab a cocktail, try one of ours or create one yourself and enjoy the holiday season!

For travel tips and foodie guides, visit our Westgate Resorts Travel Blog.

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* Westgate Resorts is in no way affiliated with the attractions featured in this article. Items or places listed are current as of the publishing date of this article. Please call or visit the respective website for the most up-to-date offerings and details.