Even my cocktail glass is getting into the holiday spirit.
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The holidays have a special way of stirring up wanderlust. Maybe it’s the aromas of spices or the festive songs that spark a craving for something beyond our own traditions. And for me, it’s a desire to see how the world celebrates this season of joy.
In Austria, Christmas is mulled and spiced, steeped in centuries of market culture. In Mexico, it’s a riot of color, flavor and celebration. The U.S. celebrates with a melting pot of cozy comforts. And in the Caribbean, Christmas trades sleigh bells for steel drums and a splash of rum.
If you aren’t jet-setting off to one of these festive locations this year, you can still experience these rich traditions and tales of Christmas around the globe.
Let’s take a Christmas journey one glass at a time. Here are some of my favorite holiday cocktails.
Live a Life Explored!
Mulled Wine Martini | Austria & Germany
When it comes to celebrating Christmas, Austria and Germany set the gold standard. The heart of their celebrations beats in the famous Christmas markets where cobblestone streets are lined with stalls selling handcrafted gifts and soul-warming holiday treats. Here, the air is filled with the comforting aroma of roasted chestnuts, spiced cookies and of course, hot mulled wine.
Pacific Breeze Cooler
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Muddler
Ingredients
- 1/2 cucumber thinly sliced
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 tbsp honey
- Sparkling water
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Muddle cucumber and mint leaves in a glass. Add the lemon juice, honey and ice. Top with sparkling water and stir gently. Garnish with a cucumber slice and mint sprig.
Bourbon Spiced Hot Cocoa | Kentucky, United States
Nothing says American holiday comfort quite like a warm mug of hot cocoa — and Kentucky knows how to really kick it up a notch. What better way to celebrate the season than with some of the Bluegrass State’s liquid gold? Bourbon! With its warm, caramel notes, it makes the perfect base for a boozy spin on the hot chocolate classic.
Golden Glow Lassi
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain yogurt or plant based yogurt
- 1/2 tsp ground tumeric
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tbsp honey or to taste
- 1/4 cup water or milk for desired consistency
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Serve chilled, garnished with a sprinkle of turmeric or cadamom.
Champagne Margarita | Mexico
While Christmas in Northern parts of the world focus on cozy traditions, Christmas in Mexico is a vibrant affair. It blends Catholic Christmas traditions with festive elements of Mexico’s culture. The result? Events like Las Posadas — nine nights of candlelit processions, pinatas and feasts. This culminates in Christmas Eve with a table full of delights like tamales and banuelos. What better way to put a Mexican twist on your Christmas or New Year’s festivities than with a Champagne Margarita?!
Northern Twilight Fizz
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Muddler
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup blackberries or blueberries fresh
- 1 lime freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Sparkling Water
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Muddle blueberries (or blackberries) in a glass. Add the lime juice, syrup, and ice. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a few whole berries, a lime wedge and/or fresh mint.
Sorrel Rum Spritz | The Caribbean
Forget snowy landscapes. Christmas in the Caribbean is all about the beach parties, family gatherings and music that gets you dancing. At the heart of it all is this sorrel punch: a tangy drink made from dried hibiscus flowers, ginger and spices.
Sorrel has a special place in Jamaican Christmas traditions. It’s not just a drink but a gesture of hospitality. Punches were introduced to the Caribbean via European settlers, and sorrel punch evolved into something uniquely Jamaican. It is typically served at family gatherings and shared with friends as a symbol of connection and celebration. What better way to say, “Merry Christmas?!”
Himalayan Bliss Tonic
Equipment
- 1 teapot
- 1 fine mesh grater
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 1 cup green tea brewed, cooled
- 1 tsp ginger freshly grated
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 lemon freshly squeezed
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine green tea, ginger, honey and lemon juice in a shaker or cocktail glass. Stir or shake well to mix. Serve over ice, garnished with a slice of fresh lemon and/or sprig of mint.
