10 Christmas Drinks to Get Into the Holiday Spirit

1. Traditional Wassail 
For centuries, going back to Anglo-Saxon times, holiday revelers have wished each other, “Wes ha!”—Be Whole!—while sharing this drink. Wassail traditionally contained roasted apples, which would swell up and burst apart in the hot punch.

Photo: Sam Jones/Quinn Brein

2. Light Wassail 
Even children will enjoy this spicy punch, which you can adopt as you wish. Taste as you go, adjusting the sugar, to find a mixture you especially like.

3. Mulled Wine 
This creates a delightful aroma. Use burgundy or any other full-bodied wine. 

Photo: irina02/shutterstock

4. Cranberry Punch 
Chill all the ingredients before making this colorful holiday punch. If you prefer, use unsweetened cranberry/raspberry juice and sweeten to taste with superfine sugar.

Photo: Irina Burakova/Shutterstock

5. Mulled Cider 
Hot cider fills the house with a delicious fragrance. Make it for brunch or just to have throughout a holiday.

Photo: irina02/shutterstock

6. George Washington’s Christmas Eggnog 
We get the word nog from noggin, a small, wooden cup that English tavern-owners used for serving drinks. Once you taste homemade eggnog, you’ll never again settle for the variety sold in cartons. 

Photo: irina02/shutterstock

7. Non-Alcoholic Eggnog 
From the chef: “This recipe has been served by my grandmother every Christmas that I can remember. I’m spoiled on it now and cannot tolerate commercial eggnog. Enjoy!”

8. Ho, Ho, Ho Cocktail
Garnet red in color and filled with bubbles, our festive Ho, Ho, Ho Cocktail fairly shouts “Happy Holidays” from its glass.

Photo: Sebastien Coell/Shutterstock

9. Christmas Punch
This punch is not only pretty but flavorful as well. A very good nonalcoholic punch. Make plenty—it’ll go fast. 

10. New Year’s Day Holiday Punch 
If you prefer, substitute ginger ale for the champagne.

Get more delicious punch recipes for any occasion!