5 easy Christmas Cocktail Ideas for a Holiday Party

Looking for easy cocktail ideas that you can have at your next Christmas or Holiday Party? We are giving you our favorite ones that have been a hit at events our team has bartended at. PLUS professional tips for planning a holiday party that guests will love.

Some of the most common questions we hear from party hosts are: "What drinks should I serve for my holiday party?" "What are some cocktails that look good and taste good?" "What cocktails are popular to serve during the holiday season?"

After bartending hundreds of in-home celebrations across Chicago, and all over Illinois, we have learned that taste and aesthetic both matter. Whether you are planning a home event, corporate event, or a large wedding, we have put together 5 easy cocktail ideas for your next holiday party to help you create an experience for your guests that feels effortless and beautiful.

Here are 5 easy Christmas Cocktail Ideas for your next holiday party:

1.Cranberry Champagne Margarita Guests love this drink because it's balanced, refreshing and boozy.

Add all of the ingredients below (minus the champagne), add it to a shaker with ice, shake for 15 seconds, and make it fun by serving it on a large wine glass and garnish it with rosemary and and some cherries. You'll need: 1.5 ounces of Tequila 1.5 ounces of cranberry juice 3/4 ounce of orange liqueur 1/2 ounce of lime juice 1/2 agave

Champagne (to top it off with) Why it works for a party: It looks pretty, it's festive and red, and you will get complimented all night long.

Chicago Bartender Note: You can make it less boozy by removing the champagne.

2.Dirty Santa

Guests love this drink because it's a twist on a classic, and has a fun name to it! Add all of the ingredients to a short glass with ice, and stir. Garnish with a cherry. You'll need:

2oz ounce Vodka,

3/4 ounce of Grenadine

1/2 ounce of Lime Juice Lemon Lime Soda (topped)

Why it works for a party: You can also make this into a mocktail. Chicago Bartender Note: Make it extra pretty by rimming the glass with coconut flakes. 3.Merry Mule

Guests love this drink because it's a Moscow mule but merrier!

Add all of the ingredients to a short glass with ice, and stir. Top it with ginger beer. Garnish with a dehydrated lime. You'll need:

2oz of Vodka

4 oz of Pomegranate Juice 1/2 oz of Lime Juice 4 oz of Ginger Beer (topped)

Why it works for a party: Guests will immediately assume you put a ton of effort into the cocktail when they notice the dehydrated lime wheels.

Chicago Bartender Note: If you don't have pomegranate juice on hand, you can use cranberry juice too. 4. Rudolphs' Gone Coconuts

Guests love this drink because it has coconut and it's creamy.

Add all of the ingredients below to a shaker with ice, shake for 15 seconds, and serve it on a tall glass. You'll need: 2 oz of Rum

1oz of Coconut Cream 1/2 oz of Orange Juice

1/2 oz of Lime Juice

3/4 oz of Cranberry Juice

1/2 oz of Maple Syrup

Why it works for a party: It is SO rich in flavor!

Chicago Bartender Note: If you don't like Rum, Vodka or Tequila work perfectly for this too.

5.Grinch Mimosa

Guests love this for early brunch holiday parties.

Add all of the ingredients to a champagne flute, stir and garnish with a candy cane.

You'll need:

Orange Juice

Prosecco

0.25 oz of Blue Curacao

Edible Glitter

Why it works for a party: Is it so light and refreshing especially for brunch events.

Chicago Bartender Note: Make it extra festive by adding some green cotton candy on the top of the glass.

What we would serve at a holiday party

If we were hired to bartend a holiday party for an in-home event in Chicago or any event, here is the menu we would recommend:

Something light: Grinch Mimosa Something spirit Forward: Cranberry Champagne Margarita Something Zero proof: Dirty Santa without the booze.

This gives guests options to choose from, and it is a balanced menu.

Our favorite hosting tip

Have everything be completely ready before guests arrive. Everything should be stocked, have more than enough ice, wine should be chilled, menus should be displayed, glasses should be clean. Guests naturally gravitate towards the bar as they arrive, so everything should be ready as it leaves an impression on your guests.

Frequently asked questions:

What is the easiest holiday cocktail? Grinch Mimosa

Should I hire a bartender for next home event in Chicago or anywhere? YES.

What holiday cocktail do you love the most? Merry Mule.

How many drinks can I expect to serve at my holiday party? Assume 1-2 per hour per guest.

Planning an in-home holiday party in Chicago or a holiday corporate event?

If you'd rather spend the evening enjoying your guests instead of managing the bar, that's where we come in.

Wee Mixed provides professional bar service and thoughtfully designed hospitality experiences for home gathering, corporate events, brand activations, etc. throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Our team can help with:

• professional bartenders

• custom signature cocktails

• mixers and garnishes

• ice and bar essentials

• alcohol shopping guidance

• custom cocktail menus

• bar rentals

• small bites and hors d'oeuvres

Wee Mixed provides private bartending, cocktail experiences, and event hospitality throughout Chicago, Chicagoland, and surrounding Illinois communities, including:

• Chicago: Downtown, West Loop, River North, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Fulton Market, South Loop and surrounding neighborhoods

• North Shore: Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Northbrook and surrounding communities

• Western Suburbs: Oak Park, River Forest, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Downers Grove, Lombard, Naperville and surrounding communities

• Northwest Suburbs: Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Barrington and surrounding communities

• Greater Illinois: We travel throughout Illinois for select weddings, corporate events, private celebrations and larger hospitality experiences

  
  

You provide the alcohol, and we can take care of the rest.