Andrew Finlayson
Whether you’re hosting a summer seafood barbecue, a festive dinner feast or a lively holiday party, our selection of Christmas cocktails has something to set every tone. From zingy margaritas to refreshing spritzes, chilled punches and indulgent dessert-style sippers, allow us to offer our go-to guide for your summer drinks menu.
When it comes to Christmas cocktails in Australia, you have the option of dabbling in traditional classics like eggnog, or crafting a beverage tailor-made to our warm, summer climate and fresh, fruity ingredients.
Whether you want to wow your guests with something unique, or batch make the easiest cocktail from your liquor cabinet, we’ve got you covered with a selection of Christmas cocktail recipes for any occasion.
Note: Most of the below recipes contain alcohol. For non-alcoholic options, check out our collection of alcohol-free mocktail recipes, or see GT‘s pick of the best non-alcoholic spirits to substitute in any of the below recipes.
Nectarine Sangria granita Spritz
Hellenika’s Ari Onassis cocktail
Christmas Spritz
Grapefruit-Campari Spritz
Chilled eggnog
Margaritas
Bar Louise’s sangria
Sunset Negroni
Shell House’s lychee martini
Basil gimlet
Double Deuce Lounge’s The Stinger cocktail
How to make a French 75 (or rather, an Australian 75)
Watermelon, ginger and makrut lime shrub
Plum and thyme prosecco Spritz
Paloma
Cucumber and gin punch
David Moyle’s sparkling shiraz and vanilla ice-cream spider
Mint Julep
Burnt grapefruit Paloma with rosemary
Pineapple punch
Sangria Blanco
Fleet’s Galah cocktail
Dead Ringer’s Blackstone Bramble
Coconut and mango Daiquiris
The Rosita
Brae’s rhubarb and strawberry-gum spider
Light ‘n’ Stormy
Capitano’s Strawberry Sgroppino
The Hardware Club’s Spritz Veneziano
Gimlet: the best gin cocktail you’ll make all week
Spanish-melon punch
La Casita’s Rosado
Frozen Thai basil and makrut lime Mojito
Champagne punch
Aperol Spritz
Champagne Crustas
Cynar Spritz
Cerise Royale
Fino Bellini
Fruit-salad punch
Christmas Cocktail FAQs
Australians have a reputation for loving an ice-cold beer on Christmas, particularly a crisp lager or pale ale. However, in reality, Australia has as broad-reaching drinking tastes as anywhere else. Wine is a popular choice, and I’d wager you’ll find many homes popping a bottle of Champagne or local sparkling wine for Christmas drinks. Given Australia’s propensity to serve seafood on Christmas Day, you might also find a complementary crisp white wine or rosé on the wine list. Finally, there are all manner of cocktails that fit our climate and highlight our fabulous local booze producers. With excellent gin distillers in Australia, some may experiment with a Christmas-spiced gin cocktail. Fruit punch is also a popular Australian choice when you’re making a batch cocktail.
Internationally, one might say eggnog is the ultimate Christmas cocktail. The nutmeg or cinnamon-spiced milky beverage is a favourite in America, and is often served ‘spiked’ with whisky, rum or brandy. However, we at GT would argue Australians are more inclined to reach for other batch-ready cocktails, such as a delicious summer punch.
Whether you’re batch-making cocktails for guests, or seeking a cocktail to enjoy on your own, the easiest Christmas cocktails are ones that won’t require too many ingredients, nor ingredients you can’t buy at your local bottle shop and supermarket. If you’re in Australia, you’re also probably hoping for a cocktail that is refreshing for summer. With that in mind, here are a few ideas:
Gin & tonic: With only two ingredients (plus a garnish!), a gin & tonic is one of the easiest cocktails. Make it more Christmassy with your selection of gin, such as, a special-release spiced gin from a local distiller, and spruce it up with a Christmas-themed garnish, like pomegranate and mint.
Mojito: Made from white rum, muddled with mint and lime, and topped with soda water, a mojito is a beautifully refreshing, easy cocktail, with ingredients you can pick up at any supermarket and liquor store.
Paloma: An expertly-made Paloma may call for freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice and agave syrup, but there’s nothing wrong with picking up a bottle of grapefruit soda to make life easier. Mix with tequila, serve with a lime wedge, et voila! An easy summer cocktail!
