The 5 Best Holiday-Themed Cocktails and Drinks

On Thirsty Thursdays, we review the best parties, bars, events, tailgates, and places to spend a great night with friends as well as a few drink mixes to enjoy the evening. We say Celebrate. Recover. Repeat. and NextDay Recovery covers you in the morning no matter what you got into last night, so you only have to worry about the first part -- Celebrate.

The holiday season is upon us (we held off until December at least... although the queen of Christmas got going awhile ago), and what better way to spread the joy than with a lineup of delightful, holiday-themed cocktails? Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or simply unwinding by the fireplace, these five handcrafted concoctions are sure to bring warmth and merriment to your celebrations. Grab your shakers, garnishes, and get ready to toast to the most wonderful time of the year!

1. Cranberry Mule: The Cranberry Mule offers a refreshing and festive twist on the classic Moscow Mule, with the tartness of cranberry complementing the spiciness of ginger beer.

Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- Fresh cranberries and rosemary for garnish

Instructions:
1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
2. Pour in the vodka and cranberry juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

2. Peppermint Martini: This delightful Peppermint Martini is a festive and sweet treat that captures the essence of the season in every sip.

Ingredients:
- 2 oz vanilla vodka
- 1 oz white crème de menthe
- 1 oz peppermint schnapps
- Crushed candy canes for rimming

Instructions:
1. Rim a chilled martini glass with crushed candy canes.
2. In a shaker with ice, combine vodka, crème de menthe, and peppermint schnapps.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.

3. Winter Wonderland Sangria: Transform your holiday gathering into a Winter Wonderland with this festive and flavorful sangria.

Ingredients:
- 1 bottle white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur
- 2 tbsp honey
- Sliced oranges, cranberries, and rosemary for garnish

Instructions:
1. In a large pitcher, combine white wine, brandy, orange liqueur, and honey.
2. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. Before serving, add sliced oranges, cranberries, and rosemary to the pitcher.


4. Gingerbread Old Fashioned: The Gingerbread Old Fashioned puts a holiday spin on a classic cocktail, with the warm and spicy notes of gingerbread enhancing the richness of bourbon.

Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange twist for garnish

Instructions:
1. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, gingerbread syrup, and bitters.
2. Add ice and stir until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Garnish with an orange twist.


5. Pomegranate Rosemary Sparkler: The Pomegranate Rosemary Sparkler is a light and effervescent cocktail that captures the festive colors and flavors of the season.

Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz pomegranate juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Sparkling water
- Fresh pomegranate arils and rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions:
1. In a shaker with ice, combine gin, pomegranate juice, and simple syrup.
2. Shake well and strain into a champagne flute.
3. Top with sparkling water and gently stir.
4. Garnish with fresh pomegranate arils and a rosemary sprig.

NextDay makes the holiday season a reason to celebrate (again and again) with NextDay Recovery's all-natural blend which includes DHM and essential vitamins and minerals to make you feel great no matter what happened last night. With a small dose of natural caffeine and low calories, get a NextDay for your anytime pick-me-up with no jitters and no crash (and if you need it within 30 minutes, order here). Celebrate. Recover. Repeat.