holiday drink recipes: Peppermintinis with crushed candy cane rim

4 Amazing Holiday Drink Recipes To Try For Bartender Day

Get recipes for Peppermintinis, Cranberry Mimosas, Jack Frosties, and Fireball Hot Toddy for National Bartender Day

Bartenders have a rich history: They have been around since ancient times across cultures. And with over half a million bartenders in the U.S., National Bartender Day is a big day to celebrate. Whether you go out to a bar or restaurant in your neighborhood, make a trek to a new spot in town, or share a drink with your favorite bartending friend, December 3 is the day to show your appreciation for all the mixologists out there. Here are a few festive holiday drink recipes you could ask your favorite bartender to mix up (or do it yourself at home) this holiday season:

Holiday Drink Recipes

Peppermintinis

Peppermint bark fans, meet your match.

YIELDS: 3 SERVINGS

PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS

INGREDIENTS

1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips, melted

1/4 c. crushed candy canes

6 oz. white chocolate liqueur

4 oz. vodka

2 oz. peppermint schnapps

2 tbsp. heavy cream

Ice

3 small candy canes

DIRECTIONS

Pour melted chocolate onto a shallow plate and place crushed candy canes on another shallow plate. Dip rims of martini glasses first in chocolate, then in candy canes. Pour remaining chocolate into the bottom of glasses and swirl to coat the bottom ⅓ of glasses with chocolate. Place glasses in freezer while you prepare the drink.

Combine white chocolate liqueur, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker. Fill to the top with ice and shake until cold. Divide drink between 3 glasses and garnish with a candy cane before serving.

Cranberry Mimosas

A seasonal take on an old favorite.

YIELDS: 4 SERVINGS

PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS

INGREDIENTS

1 lime, halved

2 tbsp. sugar

1 c. sweetened cranberry juice

1 bottle champagne

12 fresh cranberries

4 small sprigs fresh rosemary

DIRECTIONS

Rime champagne flutes with lime and dip in sugar. Pour 1/4 cup cranberry juice into each glass and top with champagne.

Use a toothpick to poke a hole through cranberries. Thread rosemary skewer through cranberries and garnish mimosas.

Jack Frosties

When the winter blues come, this blended cocktail will make you forget all about it.

YIELDS: 5 SERVINGS

PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 5 MINS

INGREDIENTS

1 c. vodka

1 c. Prosecco

1/2 c. Blue Curaçao

1/2 c. lemonade

6 c. ice

Lemon wedge, for rimming

White sanding sugar, for rimming

DIRECTIONS

In a blender, combine vodka, Prosecco, blue curaçao, lemonade, and ice. Blend until combined.

Run a lemon wedge around the rim of each glass then dip in sanding sugar.

Pour frosties into rimmed glasses and serve immediately.

Fireball Hot Toddy 

A delightful toddy with a kick!

PREP TIME: 5 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces hot water

2 ounces Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

1/2 tablespoon honey, (or more as necessary)

1/2 lemon, juiced

DIRECTIONS

Add whiskey, hot water, honey, and lemon juice to a large mug and stir.

It’s the Holiday Season

These holiday drink recipes are delicious and are perfect for the season. Which one is your favorite?

THE MARGARITA: A Brief History of The Cocktail

Compiled by Leslie Radford

**Updated April 2024

Skip to content