Light Holiday Cocktail

The holiday season is the perfect time to try out some new cocktails at your next holiday party or family gathering. They’re fun to make (and taste-test), and they can be a really festive and fun drink to add to the Christmas theme. But, we all know holiday parties can be late at night, so you might need a pick-me-up (aka a cup of coffee) so you don’t get too tired. That’s why coffee cocktails are the perfect party drink! They taste great, they’re festive, and they help you stay awake. Christmas coffee cocktails are definitely my go-to when looking for fun cocktails for holiday parties.

But for those who don’t like caffeine or don’t want to stay up TOO late, you can use decaf coffee in all of these recipes.

Oh, and I feel like this goes without saying, but I have to mention it – drink responsibly, and if you’re 21+. Boozy coffee cocktails taste great, but too much of any alcohol is not good – while coffee cocktails might taste like you’re not even drinking alcohol, it’s definitely there.

Holiday Coffee Cocktails

Espresso Martini

Okay, I had to start the list with a classic – espresso martini. You’ve definitely heard of regular martinis, but espresso martinis might even be better!

You need vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso (freshly brewed coffee or cold brew concentrate), and simple syrup. Find the recipe here. The perfect balance of bitter and sweet notes from coffee and liqueur (and syrup) are what makes this such a delicious Holiday coffee cocktail!

Tipsy Peppermint Mocha

Did you know you can make a grown-up version of the delicious peppermint mocha drink? It’s just as tasty, but arguably even better, as it has the addition of vodka, for a little booze moment. It’s perfect for holiday parties, and for celebrating Christmas in a fun way with your loved ones. You can have the kid-friendly peppermint mocha drink without alcohol for the kids, and the alcohol version for the adults, so everyone can have (almost) the same drink!

It’s super easy to make, and all you’ll need are vodka, Kahlua Peppermint Mocha, chocolate syrup, ice, and crushed candy canes. Find the full recipe here.

NYE Iced Coffee Cocktail

This recipe is the courtesy of none other than Starbucks themselves – and we know they’re experts in coffee! You need whiskey, creme de cacao, orange bitters, simple syrup, coffee, and ice. You can also garnish this cocktail with orange peels, for a gorgeous finishing touch.

Irish Coffee

Another coffee cocktail that I simply had to include on the list is, of course, Irish Coffee. For this delicious (and very famous) cocktail, you need coffee (you can brew it yourself with a coffee maker), Irish whiskey, and Baileys Irish Cream. You can also top with whipped cream for an even more delicious and sweet holiday drink. While Irish Coffee is perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, I think it’s great for Christmas parties as well! Find an easy recipe for Irish Coffee here.

Christmas Morning Cocktail

Who says coffee cocktails are just for the evening? You drink coffee in the morning anyways, so you might as well make your coffee cocktail in the morning, to start your Christmas day right. It’s warm, comforting, cozy, and amazing for chilly winter days, and all of the adults in your household will love you – it’s super delicious! You need coffee (obviously), hazelnut liqueur, Irish cream, triple sec, and whipped cream. You can find the full recipe here.

Hot White Russian

Another coffee cocktail that’s perfect for Christmas morning is a Hot White Russian. You need coffee, vodka, Kahlua, heavy cream, and whipped cream for garnish – it’s super easy to make, so warm and cozy, and has the perfect kick to get you into the holiday mood. You can find the recipe here.

Boozy Grinch Hot Chocolate

I bet you haven’t heard of this one, right? It’s not only hot chocolate, but it’s green AND it has booze in it. Who says adults won’t enjoy a fun and festive Grinch-themed cocktail? It’s dye-free, which is always a plus, and I don’t even have to clarify how delicious it is, considering the main ingredient is hot chocolate, right? For the coffee component, I love adding espresso to this recipe or using coffee liqueur instead of almond Baileys.

Winter Bourbon Cocktail

This cocktail is essentially hot coffee with cinnamon whipped cream and whisky (with a few other simple ingredients) – it’s as tasty as it sounds! It’s the perfect warm drink for the holiday season, especially when you want to get warm while enjoying a Christmas party.

Light Holiday Cocktail

Are you feeling so festive yet? 🎄 I saw this super easy cocktail on Pinterest so I had to recreate it (with my little twist). 🤩

It has only 3 ingredients – so you just need to mix & enjoy!

I used decaf coffee, since I was drinking this at night – and I didn’t want to mess up my sleep too much (that’s the only change I made). So, if you need a pick-me-up, you can use regular coffee, or you can use decaf like me.

To make iced coffee, my coffee recipe is: all I do is brew hot coffee and then refrigerate it in a pitcher overnight… 😉

I got this creme de cacao liqueur at TJs!