Christmas coffee cocktails turn simple coffee into something warm, charming, and full of holiday spirit. If you’re also picking gifts this season, our Christmas Coffee Gifts (2026) guide pairs perfectly with these cocktails.
A little booze, a little sweetness, a little spice – and suddenly you’re holding a drink that feels like December itself.
This collection blends three beloved classics with fresh, creative cocktails inspired by modern flavor trends. Some of them you’ll recognize instantly; others you’ve probably never seen in any holiday list before.
What Makes Christmas Coffee Cocktails Special?
A Christmas coffee cocktail works when it brings together:
- A strong coffee base (espresso or dark brewed coffee – for flavor recommendations, see our Top 10 Best Coffee Beans in the World guide).
- Seasonal flavors (gingerbread, peppermint, orange, chestnut, maple, tiramisu)
- A warming spirit (Baileys, Irish whiskey, bourbon, rum, Cointreau)
- A cozy texture and festive presentation
The drink should be easy to make, smell like winter, and look good enough to serve to guests.
The 3 Classic Christmas Coffee Cocktails Everyone Loves
Gingerbread Espresso Martini
Ingredients:
• 1 shot espresso
• 50 ml vodka
• 25 ml coffee liqueur
• 10–15 ml gingerbread syrup
• Cinnamon sugar rim
Instructions:
Shake espresso, vodka, liqueur, and syrup with ice. Strain into a chilled glass with a spice-sugar rim. Garnish with a tiny gingerbread cookie or cinnamon stick.
2. Peppermint Mocha Christmas Coffee
Ingredients:
• Hot mocha (if you want smoother milk texture, our How to Make a Latte at Home guide explains simple steaming tips).
• 30 ml peppermint schnapps
• 15 ml coffee liqueur (optional)
• Whipped cream
• Crushed candy cane
Instructions:
Stir mocha and schnapps together. Add coffee liqueur if you want it stronger. Top with whipped cream and candy cane dust.
3. Irish Christmas Coffee
Strong, warming, cozy – the original winter classic.
Ingredients:
• Hot brewed coffee
• 1–2 tsp brown sugar
• 40 ml Irish whiskey (classic choice: Jameson Irish Whiskey)
• Soft whipped cream
Instructions:
Dissolve sugar in hot coffee. Add whiskey and stir. Float soft whipped cream on top.
New and Creative Christmas Coffee Cocktails for 2026
1. Rosemary Maple Espresso Old Fashioned
A cozy, aromatic drink that tastes like a winter cabin and smells like a pine forest.
Ingredients:
• 1 shot cooled espresso
• 40 ml bourbon
• 10 ml maple syrup
• Rosemary sprig
• Ice
Instructions:
Stir espresso, bourbon, and maple syrup over ice. Lightly warm a rosemary sprig, blow it out, and place it in the drink for aroma.
2. Cranberry Coffee Spritz
Bright, sparkling, slightly tart – a fun twist for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients:
• 60 ml cold brew concentrate
• 30 ml cranberry syrup or reduced cranberry juice
• Sparkling water or prosecco
• Ice
• Fresh cranberries
Instructions:
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add cold brew and cranberry syrup. Top with sparkling water or prosecco. Garnish with cranberries.
3. Tiramisu Coffee Cocktail
A drinkable version of tiramisu – creamy, rich, and absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients:
• 1 shot espresso
• 25 ml coffee liqueur
• 20 ml dark rum (optional)
• 2 tbsp mascarpone
• 30 ml cream
• 1 tsp sugar
• Cocoa powder (unsweetened works best; there’s also a gentle breakdown of cocoa types on Epicurious).
Instructions:
Shake espresso, liqueur, and rum with ice. Separately whip mascarpone, cream, and sugar until smooth. Pour the cocktail into a glass and spoon mascarpone cream on top. Dust with cocoa.
4. Chestnut Praline Latte Cocktail
Warm, nutty, rich – inspired by European winter markets.
Ingredients:
• 1 shot espresso
• 150 ml steamed milk
• 15–20 ml chestnut praline syrup
• 20 ml dark rum or brandy
• Chopped caramelized nuts
Instructions:
Mix espresso with praline syrup. Add steamed milk and rum. Top with chopped nuts.
5. Pine Forest Coffee Cocktail
A Nordic-inspired winter drink with pine or fir honey – earthy, aromatic, and wonderfully seasonal.
Ingredients:
• 180 ml hot brewed coffee
• 1 tsp pine or fir honey
• 25 ml vodka or gin
• Lemon peel
Instructions:
Stir honey into hot coffee. Add alcohol. Garnish with a long lemon peel strip.
6. Cinnamon Roll Cream Coffee
Sweet, soft, comforting – tastes like a cinnamon roll dipped in coffee.
Ingredients:
• 1 shot espresso
• 120 ml warm milk or half-and-half
• 15 ml cinnamon syrup
• 10 ml vanilla syrup
• Sugar icing drizzle
Instructions:
Mix espresso with syrups. Add warm milk. Drizzle icing on top in a cinnamon roll swirl pattern.
Hot or Iced: Two Different Holiday Moods
Hot cocktails feel cozy, nostalgic, perfect for cold nights.
Iced cocktails feel bright, modern, and great for gatherings or warm homes.
Non-Alcoholic Christmas Coffee Options
Any cocktail above can be made alcohol-free using:
• Peppermint syrup
• Gingerbread syrup
• Chestnut or maple syrup
• Cranberry reduction
• Vanilla cream
• Whipped cream toppings
They keep the flavor and atmosphere without the alcohol.
Practical Tips for Making Perfect Christmas Coffee Cocktails
- Use fresh espresso – old coffee flattens every flavor.
- Prepare syrups ahead (gingerbread, cranberry, cinnamon).
- Think about the glass – layered cocktails look better in clear glasses.
- Add a pinch of salt to chocolate or caramel cocktails – it enhances sweetness.
- Garnish matters – citrus peel, crushed candy cane, spices, cocoa dust.
These small details turn a casual drink into a holiday ritual.
FAQ
Yes. Replace alcohol with syrup or non-alcoholic spirits.
Medium-dark or dark roast for warmth, intensity, and flavor balance.
Cold cocktails – yes, mix in a pitcher.
Hot cocktails – assemble right before serving.
You don’t. A basic espresso maker or strong brewed coffee is enough. A shaker helps with iced cocktails, but you can mix them in a jar with a lid if needed.
Yes. Simply use oat, almond, or coconut milk. These plant-based milks whip well, blend smoothly with espresso, and keep the flavor festive.
Final Thoughts
Christmas coffee cocktails bring comfort, flavor, and holiday magic into one cup. The classics give you the familiar warmth of the season, while the new 2026 creations – rosemary maple, cranberry spritz, tiramisu, pine honey – offer fresh twists worth serving at any celebration.
Choose one, refine it, and make it part of your own December tradition. If you enjoy building small coffee traditions, our Morning Coffee Rituals guide has ideas you can blend into your holiday routine.
