From our years running a busy catering bar, we know holiday beverages can set the tone for any gathering. Through it's spiced cocktails, cozy coffees, or cheerful mocktails, guests always seemed to find connection with a drink in hand and a reason to celebrate. There's just something about seasonal sipping that brings people together - one clink, one cozy mug, one festive toast at a time! In this roundup, we're sharing bold flavors, festive garnishes, smart prep tips and DIY bar set up ideas to make your holiday entertaining feel joyful - not stressful.
From morning brews to midnight cheers, this holiday beverage collection covers energizing coffees, elegant cocktails, and playful non alcoholic drinks - all anchored by versatile simple syrup recipes that make flavor-building a breeze. With make-ahead beverage ideas, batch-friendly options for a crowd, and customizable bases, you'll be ready for spontaneous guests, slow mornings, and everything in between.
Sip safely and inclusively this season.
When you're serving alcohol, be thoughtful about your guests' preferences.
Always offer non-alcoholic options - like mocktails, soda, juice, coffee, or tea -
to ensure everyone can raise a glass and feel welcome.
Jump to:
- Cocktails vs. Mocktails
- Setting up a self serve bar
- Make it easy:Drink instruction cards & cheat-sheets
- Our Favorite Recipe
- Drink and simple syrup recipes
- Cranberry Simple Syrup
- Basic Simple Syrup
- Demerara Simple Syrup
- Berry Simple Syrup
- Lemon Drop Jolly Pops (Cranberry-Raspberry Vodka Cocktail)
- Caramel Apple Sangria
- Blackberry Vodka Tonics (with Blackberry Infused Vodka)
- Cranberry Mocktail - Batch Mix
- Peach Bourbon Spritzers
- How to Make a Rossini Cocktail (Strawberry Bellini)
- Raspberry Basil Bourbon Spritzers
- Bubbly Peach Mimosas
- Blackberry Lemon Drops & How to Infuse Your Own Vodka
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
- Blueberry Whiskey Spritzers
- More Recipes for Easy Entertaining
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
Cocktails vs. Mocktails
Very simply put - a cocktail contains alcohol and a mocktail does not. That said, we'll never say no to a well-crafted cocktail, lately we've been on the mocktail bandwagon! They deliver all the flavor and festive flair without the alcohol, making them a win-win for gatherings of all kinds.
Many of the holiday cocktail recipes in this roundup are flexible. Follow the suggested spirit, swap in your favorite spirit, or skip the alcohol entirely. For a delicious mocktail version, use club soda or tonic. Will the flavor shift? Sure. Will it still be delicious? Absolutely!
Setting up a self serve bar
Over the years in catering, we've set up countless beverage stations - from elaborate spreads to simple setups - they all shared a few key elements. Here are our go-to tips for creating a simple, self-serve bar that's festive, functional, and easy for guests to navigate.
Bar location
- Choose a dedicated drink zone. Whether it's a table or countertop, make sure there's enough space for multiple guests to mix and mingle without crowding.
- Create zones in the beverage area.
- One for beer, wine, and champagne - complete with an ice bin for chilling.
- One for mixers and garnishes - simple syrups, juice (lemon, lime, cranberry, grapefruit, orange), sodas, tonics, rim salt and sugar , citrus slices and peels, cherries, and more.
- One for spirits - offer a variety like - gin, vodka, whiskey, bourbon, rye, and tequila.
Tools
- Stock essential glassware. Tailor your selection to what you're serving. Basics include wine glasses, champagne flutes, beer mugs, rocks glasses, highballs, Collins glasses, and coffee mugs. These can be real or disposable glasses.
- Include helpful tools. Think jiggers or small measuring cups, pitchers, shakers, stirrers, bottle openers, tongs, spoons, and a few towels or rags for hands or quick cleanups.
Safe and guest-friendly serving
- Keep cold things cold. Store ice in an insulated container and use an ice bath (watertight container with ice) to keep juice and batch mixes cold.
- Make pouring simple. Store liquids in easy-to-handle, pourable containers, set out garnishes with spoons or tongs, and keep tongs in the ice bin for quick and sanitary access.
- Create simple instructions. Make an easy to read and follow instruction card for any special drinks, or just a cheat-sheet for some fun drinks. Make extra copies in case one gets ruined - think spilled drink - or guests want to take one to remember.
PRO TIPS:
Simplify! You don't need a full set of matching glassware. Rent if you're going formal, or just offer a mix of sizes and shapes. The guests can choose the glass that speaks to them!
Save the cleanup and use disposable glassware - there are nice options available at most party stores and online.
The larger the event, the bigger the bar setup should be. For large parties spread across multiple rooms are spaces, consider offering multiple bars: one dedicated to wine and beer, another for festive cocktails and mocktails, and a third for coffee and tea. Offer soda and juice at the cocktail/mocktail bar, while waters are a natural fit at the coffee and tea bar.
Make it easy:
Drink instruction cards & cheat-sheets
Keep things simple and stress-free for your guests by creating quick-reference cards for your favorite holiday beverages. From a signature Christmas cocktail, cozy mocktail, or festive coffee blend, having clear instructions makes it easy for guests (and you!) to mix, stir, and sip with confidence.
- Write it out clearly. Use short steps and everyday language - no fancy bartending terms needed!
- Include measurements. List ingredients with exact amounts - think: 2 ounces cranberry simple syrup, 1 ounce lime juice.
- Add serving tips. Mention glass type or size, garnish ideas, whether it's best shaken, stirred, or poured over ice.
- Make it visual. Use bold headers, bullets or even icons or pictures to make scanning the card easy.
Our Favorite Recipe
Choosing just one Christmas holiday drink is tough - they're all delicious. But, if we had to pick a favorite from this recipe collection, it would be the Lemon Drop Jolly Pop from our friends at Life As A Strawberry. The name alone makes you smile, and the drink is as pretty as it is tasty! The bright, tart lemon flavor shines through, and whether you serve it as a cocktail or a mocktail, it's absolutely delicious.
Drink and simple syrup recipes
Cranberry Simple Syrup
Cranberry simple syrup is a festive favorite - just 3 ingredients and 15 minutes for a boost to mocktail, cocktail, tea, coffee, or desserts. Delicious addition to your holiday bar.
Basic Simple Syrup
Make your own basic simple syrup in less than 15 minutes using just 2 ingredients - sugar and water! Perfect for use in cocktails, mocktails, tea, coffee, or baked goods. Here’s to preparing your own signature beverages with your homemade simple syrup. Cheers!
Demerara Simple Syrup
This demerara simple syrup gets a hint of caramel flavor from the demerara sugar, making it an excellent addition to cocktails, mocktails, coffee, and tea. Ready in under 15 minutes!
Berry Simple Syrup
Homemade berry-infused simple syrups are a breeze to make, ready in under 15 minutes, with only 3 ingredients! Whether in cocktails, mocktails, tea, or coffee, this berry simple syrup will take your drinks to the next level.
Lemon Drop Jolly Pops (Cranberry-Raspberry Vodka Cocktail)
This easy cranberry lemon drop is a fun twist on a classic vodka cocktail! With cranberry-raspberry juice, triple sec, and plenty of citrus. Colorful holiday cocktail.
Recipe & Photos: Life As A Strawberry
Caramel Apple Sangria
Super easy to make with great fall flavors, this delicious caramel apple sangria will be a huge hit at your next holiday gathering!
Recipe & Photos: Sweet Tea and Thyme
Blackberry Vodka Tonics (with Blackberry Infused Vodka)
A blackberry vodka tonic cocktail is a colorful addition for the holidays! This classic cocktail gets a fun twist from homemade blackberry infused vodka.
Recipe & Photos: Life As A Strawberry
Cranberry Mocktail - Batch Mix
Vibrant non-alcoholic cranberry drink with homemade syrup, citrus, and club soda - bright flavor, bold color, fancy without the fuss. Batch mix recipe for a crowd!
Peach Bourbon Spritzers
These easy Peach Bourbon Spritzers are the perfect easy cocktail for late summer and early fall! Featuring a quick homemade peach syrup.
Recipe & Photos: Life As A Strawberry
How to Make a Rossini Cocktail (Strawberry Bellini)
The bubbly rossini cocktail is your new favorite brunch drink! Made with strawberry puree and sparkling wine, ready for holiday entertaining!
Recipe & Photos: Sweet Tea and Thyme
Raspberry Basil Bourbon Spritzers
These easy raspberry basil bourbon spritzers are perfect for summer or Valentine's Day! With a quick homemade raspberry syrup.
Recipe & Photos: Life As A Strawberry
Bubbly Peach Mimosas
Sweet and bubbly, peach mimosas with made with peach juice and fresh peaches is exactly what your next brunch date ordered.
Recipe & Photos: Sweet Tea and Thyme
Blackberry Lemon Drops & How to Infuse Your Own Vodka
Infuse your own vodka for these delicious blackberry lemon drops!
Recipe & Photos: Life As A Strawberry
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
This homemade Starbucks copycat recipe uses only a handful of basic ingredients to make a smooth cold brew coffee and pumpkin cream foam.
Recipe & Photos: Sweet Tea and Thyme
Blueberry Whiskey Spritzers
These easy blueberry whiskey spritzers are simple to make and full of flavor. Simple whiskey drinks that are perfect for holiday entertaining.
Recipe & Photos: Life As A Strawberry
More Recipes for Easy Entertaining
Frequently Asked Questions
Simple syrup is a staple in bartending and it's used to sweeten cold drinks (cocktails, mocktails), hot drinks (coffee, tea), and flavor desserts (whipped cream, ice cream).
Once prepared, simple syrup is easy to use and store. Its liquid form ensures it can be easily incorporated into cold or hot items without the risk of crystallization.
It depends on the cocktail, but frequently it's as simple as substituting the alcohol with a non-alcoholic alternative like club soda, tonic, or juice. There are now many non-alcoholic spirits that also offer a similar flavor to their alcoholic version. NOTE: Most non-alcoholic spirits contain a very small amount of alcohol - under 0.05% alcohol by volume - which is the legal amount for a beverage to be rated non-alcoholic in the United States.
Our go-to is the Cranberry Mocktail - Batch Mix recipe. It's festive, colorful, and make-ahead friendly, which makes it perfect for serving a crowd. The recipe includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, plus a quick guide to setting up your own holiday beverage station.
We hope you loved this guide to holiday party beverages! If you have any questions, drop a comment below. For more entertaining ideas, visit Appetizer Bliss.
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