Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
These Easy Winter Cocktails are all simple cocktail recipes that are perfect for the cold, winter season. This list contains vodka, rum, tequila and bourbon cocktails that feature winter fruits and other winter flavors.
If it is Christmastime, you’ll also want to try these Easy Christmas Cocktails which are especially festive winter cocktails. And for New Year’s, you can try one of these Easy New Year’s Cocktails.
Tips For The Beginner Bartender
- Shake the cocktail shaker well. If the recipe calls for using a cocktail shaker, make sure to shake the cocktail well for at least 20 to 30 seconds before straining. This helps chill the drink and infuse the flavors properly. If the cocktail is supposed to have a foamy head (like an espresso martini), shaking also helps create the foam layer.
- Use large ice cubes. To elevate the look of your drink, you can make large ice cubes using special ice cube molds, such as these large sphere ice cube molds.
- Add some garnish. Every cocktail needs a bit of garnish. Some ideas include making an orange peel or lemon peel twist, using a peeler. You could also add some fresh fruit or maraschino cherries on a cocktail pick. Dehydrated fruit slices for winter cocktails or some edible flowers for summer cocktails are some more easy ideas for garnish.
- Use the right cocktail glass. It’s not always essential to use the right cocktail glass, but sometimes it does help. Mojitos are served in highball cocktail glasses and espresso martinis are served in coupe glasses or martini glasses, for example. Hurricane glasses are great for frozen cocktails and of course, classic margarita glasses are perfect for margaritas. However, when in doubt, low ball cocktail glasses work for most recipes.
- Use a jigger. A jigger is a helpful bartender tool to properly measure the ingredients for your cocktail. However, if you don’t have one, you can use regular measuring spoons. 1 oz is the equivalent of 2 tablespoons.
- Use store bought syrup. Cocktail recipes often use flavored syrup. Making your own at home is not hard (even for beginners), but if you find this too daunting or time consuming, you can generally find whatever flavor of syrup you need pre-made in a bottle. You can buy classic simple syrup for example, but you can also find all sorts of flavors, such as this strawberry simple syrup, this watermelon simple syrup and this caramel simple syrup.
Easy Winter Cocktails
This White Chocolate Espresso Martini is an easy dessert cocktail that is perfect for any winter holidays — like Christmas or Valentine’s Day. You can make it with either white chocolate syrup or white chocolate liqueur in under 5 minutes.
This Pineapple Whiskey Sour is an easy cocktail that any whiskey lover will enjoy. It’s made with only 4 ingredients in under 5 minutes. Since you can generally find pineapple any time of year, this is a great option for a fruity winter cocktail.
This Grapefruit Moscow Mule is an easy to make winter cocktail that comes together in under 5 minutes. If you love Moscow Mules, you are going to love this grapefruit version!
This Frangelico Espresso Martini is a delicious, hazelnut variation on a classic Espresso Martini. It is made with Frangelico, Kahlua, espresso, vodka and simple syrup. This makes a great winter espresso martini recipe that is especially delicious around the holidays.
This cranberry gimlet is a simple holiday cocktail that is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas or really anytime throughout winter! It is easy to make with a homemade cranberry simple syrup made from real cranberries.
This Cranberry Mimosa (also called a Poinsettia Cocktail), is an easy to make elegant winter cocktail that is great for a crowd of people. All you need is cranberries, sugar, water and champagne (or Prosecco). This winter mimosa is the perfect choice to celebrate with for Christmas or New Year’s Eve!
This Orange Cinnamon Old Fashioned takes a traditional favorite and gives it a cozy upgrade with warm cinnamon, clove-infused simple syrup, and a hint of orange. This cocktail is perfect for a night in on a cold, winter evening.
If you're searching for an elegant and delicious fruity winter cocktail that is easy to make — this Blood Orange Aperol Spritz is the one for you! Made with freshly squeezed blood orange juice, bright Apérol and Crème de Cassis, this sweet-tart twist on a classic Aperol Spritz is the perfect winter drink for the holidays.
This grapefruit cocktail is made with a homemade rosemary syrup. It’s bitter, sweet, a bit sour – really nicely balanced. The recipe calls for gin for an herbal flavor, but if you like something more neutral, you could swap in vodka instead.
The Blue Glacier Cocktail is a festive, wintery drink that is perfect for the holidays! All you need is vodka, blue curacao, white cranberry juice and lemon lime soda. Add a maraschino cherry for a bright pop of color and this blue winter cocktail is sure to be a hit with all your friends and family!
Give your tequila based cocktails a winter twist with this Blood Orange Paloma. Just a few simple ingredients is all that’s needed for this citrusy drink — blood orange juice, lime and some fizz. If you enjoy a classic Paloma Cocktail in the summer, you are going to love this winter version.
This whiskey blood orange smash is one of the best winter cocktails. Fresh blood orange juice is mixed with rosemary infused simple syrup and whiskey, then topped off with fizzy ginger beer.
This spiced ginger pear bourbon cocktail is a unique whiskey cocktail that is perfect for winter. Made with fresh pear juice, bourbon whiskey, lemon juice and ginger beer.
This bourbon rosemary cocktail is the best cocktail for fall and winter. Made with a homemade rosemary syrup, bourbon, lemon juice and a dash of maple syrup. Topped with club soda and served over ice.
This brown sugar old fashioned is a cozy, winter cocktail that is easy to make. Made with a homemade brown sugar, cinnamon and maple simple syrup. Mixed with bourbon whiskey and a twist of orange peel.
This creamy Baileys iced coffee is the perfect drink to make for a holiday brunch. Made with Baileys, milk, coffee and a homemade chocolate syrup. This drink is an easy, cozy Christmas drink!
This creamy butterfinger drink is an easy cocktail any butterscotch fan will enjoy. It’s made with only 3 ingredients: butterscotch liqueur, Kahlua and Baileys and can be served as a cocktail or a shot.
This lychee mojito is a fresh and refreshing mojito variation. Since it is made with lychee nectar or juice, it is easy to make any time of the year. — The light and floral flavors from the lychee give a unique twist on the classic mojito.
Leave a Reply