Holiday gatherings always seem to pick up speed this time of year—one minute you’re planning a quiet night in, and the next you’ve got neighbors, cousins and half your book club asking what they can bring. Having some easy holiday cocktails and mocktails in your back pocket makes everything feel a little more fun and a lot more effortless.
Below are a few simple festive drinks anyone can pull off, plus some ready-to-drink options that taste good without requiring a single shake, stir or twist of citrus.
Cranberry spritz (a low-effort showstopper)
This one looks fancy but takes almost no effort. It’s light, fizzy and great for serving a crowd.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Aperol
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- 3 oz prosecco
- Splash of sparkling water
- Fresh cranberries or an orange slice
Fill a wine glass with ice, add Aperol and cranberry juice, then top with prosecco and a splash of sparkling water. Stir gently and add a garnish. This is one of those drinks where the color alone makes people feel like they’ve arrived at a party.
Ginger-pear bourbon fizz
If you want something more wintery and warm without crossing into “hot toddy” territory, this sparkling bourbon drink hits the spot. It’s mellow, slightly sweet and surprisingly refreshing.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1.5 oz pear juice (or pear nectar)
- ½ oz lemon juice
- Ginger beer to top
- Pear slice or candied ginger to garnish
Shake the bourbon, pear juice and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice and top with ginger beer. Drop in a pear slice if you’re feeling extra. This one tastes like December in a glass.
Pomegranate rosemary refresher (mocktail)
Zero-proof drinks have gotten so good that no one feels like they’re missing out, and this one has the same festive vibe as a full cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz pomegranate juice
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz rosemary simple syrup (just simmer equal parts sugar and water with a sprig of rosemary)
- Sparkling water
- Rosemary sprig or pomegranate seeds
Fill a glass with ice, pour over the pomegranate juice, lime juice and simple syrup, then top with sparkling water. Give it a quick stir. It’s fruity but not too sweet, and the rosemary makes it smell like holiday baking in the best possible way.
Quick ways to set up a no-stress drink station
If you’re hosting more than a handful of people, one of the easiest ways to avoid playing full-time bartender is to set up a simple drink station. Stick to two or three options—maybe a pitcher cocktail and a mocktail, plus something sparkling—and let people help themselves. Keep garnishes in small bowls and add a few recipe cards so guests can mix or top their drinks exactly how they like them. It keeps your kitchen from turning into a traffic jam and frees you up to actually enjoy your guests.
Easy ready-to-drink options that save you time
Not in the mood to mix anything at all? No shame in that—ready-to-drink cocktails and mocktails have come a long way, and many are legitimately good. They’re also perfect to keep chilled for last-minute get-togethers.
A few crowd-pleasing picks:
If mixing drinks isn’t your thing, here are some great pre-made canned (or bottled) cocktails and mocktails worth grabbing — all easy to pour and serve.
Cutwater – Vodka Espresso Martini. Cutwater’s canned Espresso Martini is a favorite when you want something smooth, coffee-forward, and dessert-party ready. It’s convenient and delivers a bar-like vibe without mixing.
High Noon Vodka Seltzers. High Noon’s vodka‑based seltzers in a bunch of fruit flavors (peach, pineapple, grapefruit, etc.) are great if you want light, refreshing drinks with minimal fuss. Great for holiday brunches, movie nights or a spontaneous get-together.
Dulce Vida – Sparkling Margarita (canned). For margarita lovers, Dulce Vida offers a canned margarita made with 100% agave tequila, fresh lime, and triple sec — a nice way to enjoy a classic without batching drinks yourself.
Tilden non-alcoholic bottled cocktails — If you want mocktails that still feel festive, this brand’s NA cocktails (like their “Tandem” flavor: bitter orange, tart cherry, ginger, etc.) are a classy alternative.
