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Christmas Eve is the perfect time to slow down, gather with family and friends, and enjoy something special to drink.
Whether you’re watching Christmas movies, opening presents, hosting a holiday gathering, or relaxing by the tree, a festive drink makes the evening feel a little more special.
I’ve gathered 15 Christmas drink recipes to help you plan your holiday drinks menu.
You’ll find creamy hot chocolate, festive cranberry punch, sparkling holiday cocktails, and warm drinks filled with cinnamon and other seasonal flavors.
There are options for kids and adults, so everyone can find something to enjoy!
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15 Christmas Eve Drinks and Hot Chocolate Recipes
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
If you’re serving hot chocolate to a crowd on Christmas Eve, slow cooker hot chocolate is an easy way to make a big batch.
It’s rich, creamy, and stays warm in the slow cooker so everyone can help themselves throughout the evening.
Set out marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint so everyone can customize their own mug.
Get the Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe
Creamy Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Peppermint hot chocolate is a classic holiday favorite. Rich chocolate and creamy milk are combined with peppermint for a refreshing Christmas flavor.
Top each mug with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for an extra festive touch.
This is a wonderful drink to serve while watching Christmas movies or decorating the tree.
Get the Creamy Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
French Hot Chocolate
If you love rich, thick hot chocolate, you’ll want to try French hot chocolate.
Made with real dark chocolate, milk, and a little vanilla, it’s a decadent drink that feels like something you’d order at a little café in Paris.
Serve it in small mugs with whipped cream or marshmallows for a special Christmas Eve treat.
Get the French Hot Chocolate Recipe
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Salted caramel hot chocolate combines rich chocolate with buttery caramel and just a touch of sea salt. The sweet and salty flavors make this a delicious twist on traditional hot cocoa.
Add whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce before serving for an extra-special holiday drink.
Get the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Bring the flavors of Christmas cookies to your favorite warm drink with gingerbread hot chocolate. Chocolate, ginger, cinnamon, and other warm spices make this a cozy drink for a chilly Christmas Eve.
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or crushed gingerbread cookies.
Get the Gingerbread Hot Chocolate Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Pumpkin spice hot chocolate is a fun variation for anyone who loves warm seasonal flavors. It’s made with creamy chocolate, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spices for a rich, comforting drink.
Serve it with whipped cream and a little extra pumpkin spice sprinkled on top.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Recipe
Boozy Hot Chocolate
For the adults, boozy hot chocolate is a fun way to make a traditional holiday drink feel a little more special.
Add a splash of Baileys, Kahlúa, peppermint schnapps, or bourbon to creamy homemade hot chocolate.
Finish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or crushed peppermint. You can also make the regular hot chocolate first and let adults add their own choice of liqueur.
Get the Boozy Hot Chocolate Recipe
Christmas Cranberry Punch
Christmas cranberry punch is a pretty, refreshing drink for holiday gatherings. Cranberry juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and ginger ale come together for a festive punch with a little fizz.
Float fresh cranberries and orange slices in the punch bowl for a beautiful Christmas presentation. You can make a nonalcoholic version for everyone to enjoy.
Get the Christmas Cranberry Punch Recipe
Grinch Christmas Punch
This bright green Grinch punch is always fun for Christmas parties! It’s made with lemon-lime drink mix, pineapple juice, lemon-lime soda, and lime sherbet.
The sherbet makes it creamy and frothy, while the green color makes it especially fun for kids.
Rim the glasses with red sanding sugar and add a maraschino cherry for a little Grinch-inspired Christmas cheer.
Get the Grinch Christmas Punch Recipe
Christmas Cranberry Moscow Mule
A cranberry Moscow mule is a festive twist on the classic cocktail. Cranberry juice, vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime come together for a refreshing drink with a little holiday color.
Serve it in copper mugs with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for a pretty Christmas Eve cocktail.
Get the Christmas Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe
Christmas Cranberry Mimosas
Christmas cranberry mimosas are a simple, bubbly drink that’s perfect for holiday celebrations.
Cranberry juice and champagne come together to make a pretty red cocktail that looks beautiful in champagne glasses.
Garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary for a festive touch. These are also lovely for Christmas morning brunch.
Get the Christmas Cranberry Mimosas Recipe
Christmas Cranberry Sangria
Christmas cranberry sangria is a colorful drink made with red wine, cranberries, citrus fruit, and warm spices. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time, which makes it a great choice when you’re entertaining.
Let the fruit and spices mingle in the refrigerator before serving. Add orange slices and fresh cranberries for a beautiful holiday pitcher.
Get the Christmas Cranberry Sangria Recipe
Christmas Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is a traditional warm holiday drink made with red wine, oranges, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. As it gently warms on the stove, the spices fill your home with a wonderful Christmas aroma.
You can also keep it warm in a slow cooker when you’re hosting guests. Serve in heat-safe mugs with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.
Get the Christmas Mulled Wine Recipe
Hot Buttered Rum
Hot buttered rum is a cozy winter cocktail made with dark rum, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and other warm spices. It’s rich and comforting, making it a lovely drink to enjoy on a cold Christmas Eve.
You can prepare the butter and spice mixture ahead of time, then add a spoonful to a mug with rum and hot water whenever you’re ready to serve.
Get the Hot Buttered Rum Recipe
Christmas Espresso Martini
If you enjoy coffee-flavored cocktails, this Christmas espresso martini is a fun addition to your holiday drink menu. It’s made with vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and vanilla syrup for a rich, smooth drink.
Serve it after Christmas Eve dinner or at a holiday gathering. A few coffee beans or a dusting of cocoa powder make a simple garnish.
Get the Christmas Espresso Martini Recipe
Set Up a Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate Bar
If you’re having family over on Christmas Eve, a hot chocolate bar is a fun way to serve drinks without having to make individual mugs all evening.
You can keep a batch of slow cooker hot chocolate warm and set out little bowls of toppings so everyone can make their own.
Here are a few ideas to include:
- Mini marshmallows
- Whipped cream
- Crushed candy canes
- Chocolate chips
- Caramel sauce
- Chocolate shavings
- Cinnamon sticks
- Peppermint sticks
- Crushed gingerbread cookies
You can even use different mugs and festive straws to make the drink station feel extra special. For adults, offer optional liqueurs separately so everyone can choose what they’d like.
Make Christmas Eve a Little More Festive
You don’t need an elaborate menu to make Christmas Eve special.
A big pot of hot chocolate, a pretty punch bowl, or a festive cocktail can add a little holiday magic to an evening spent with family and friends.
Whether you choose creamy peppermint hot chocolate, cranberry punch, mulled wine, or a Christmas espresso martini, I hope these Christmas Eve drink ideas give you something delicious to enjoy this holiday season!
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