Christmas Drink Recipes: 5 Festive Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
The holidays are the perfect time to showcase your mixology skills. When guests arrive, the simplest way to signal celebration is with a complex, beautiful cocktail. This guide gives you five essential Christmas drink recipes non-alcoholic—each one sophisticated, easy to execute, and built around the high-quality NA spirits and wines.
These recipes satisfy the desire for robust flavor structures without the alcohol, making them ideal for sustained holiday energy.
Warm & Spiced: Holiday Grog and Cream Liqueur Recipes
These recipes capture the traditional spices and warmth of Christmas. They are perfect for slow sipping by the fireplace and are designed for comfort.
1. Spiced Holiday Grog
This recipe replaces the heaviness of full-proof spirits with the rich body of an NA red wine alternative, creating a comforting European-style winter grog. For the necessary full-bodied base, you will want Splash of Wines Red Blend, which holds up beautifully when simmered with cinnamon, star anise, and citrus peels.
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Component |
Quantity |
Instructions |
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NA Base: |
3 cups |
The perfect full-bodied structure for simmering. |
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Apple Cider: |
2 cups |
Provides seasonal sweetness and aroma. |
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Spice: |
4 Cinnamon Sticks, 1 tsp Cloves, 1 Star Anise. |
Gently simmer all ingredients for 20 minutes. Do not boil. |
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Sweetness: |
1/4 cup Maple Syrup |
Adjust sweetness to taste. |
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Serve: |
Warm in mugs, garnished with an orange slice. |
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2. Festive NA Irish Cream Liqueur
A rich, creamy, nutty coffee liqueur alternative that is perfect after dessert or as a late-night treat.
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Component |
Quantity |
Instructions |
|
Base: |
1 cup Cream or Half-and-Half (or coconut milk). |
Combine all ingredients in a blender until frothy and smooth. |
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Flavor: |
1 shot Espresso (or strong coffee). |
Adds depth and balances the sweetness. |
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Sweetness/Aroma: |
1/4 cup Maple Syrup, 1 tsp Vanilla Extract, 1/2 tsp Almond Extract. |
Builds the classic Irish Cream flavor structure. |
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Serve: |
Over ice, dusted with fresh nutmeg. |
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Crisp & Botanical: Spritz and Mojito Recipes
These non-alcoholic Christmas drink recipes use premium sparkling components and zero-proof spirits to create sharp, refreshing beverages that cleanse the palate and provide a counterpoint to heavy holiday food.
3. The Rosemary Spritz
This cocktail is built for elegance and uses sharp citrus and aromatic botanicals. You can find the best base with Sir James 101 Premium Tonic, which has the complexity built right into the premium mixer.
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Component |
Quantity |
Instructions |
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NA Base: |
4 oz |
The complexity is built into the premium mixer. |
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Juice: |
2 oz Cranberry Juice (100% pure). |
Adds festive color and tartness. |
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Aromatics: |
1 sprig Fresh Rosemary, 1/2 oz Lime Juice. |
Muddle rosemary lightly with lime juice. |
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Garnish: |
Salt rim mixed with finely grated lime zest. |
Add cranberry juice and ice. Top with Sir James 101 Tonic in a highball glass. |
4. The Non-Alcoholic Clementine Mojito
A bright, minty citrus cocktail that provides a refreshing contrast to heavy holiday foods. The best way to achieve the elegant fizz is by topping the drink with a chilled Wander + Found Cuvee Blanc alternative.
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Component |
Quantity |
Instructions |
|
Base: |
6 Fresh Mint Leaves, 1 Clementine (or small orange) sliced. |
Muddle mint and clementine slices gently. |
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Acid/Sweetener: |
1 oz Lime Juice, 1 tsp Simple Syrup. |
Add syrup and lime juice to the muddled base. |
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Top: |
Wander + Found Cuvee Blanc Alternative. |
Shake with ice and strain into a highball glass. Top with your chosen sparkling base. |
The Easy Batch: Pomegranate Punch and Canned Solutions
These final options are key for a complete holiday bar setup, offering both convenience and a strong visual impact for the busy host.
The Canned Welcome: Portable Sparkling Rosé
For an easy, grab-and-go welcome, the best entry point for any party is a quality sparkling in a portable format. Wander + Found Rosé cans are elegant, portable, and accessible, ensuring the ritual of sharing is effortless.
5. Pomegranate & Ginger Punch
This visually stunning punch solution is perfect for large gatherings. The best part is that it requires minimal effort during the party itself.
- Base: Pomegranate Juice, Orange Juice, Ginger Beer.
- Garnish Strategy: Freeze cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary in a decorative ice ring. This keeps the punch cold without dilution.
- Instructions: Combine the juices ahead of time. Add the Ginger Beer (and sparkling base) just before serving to maintain maximum fizz.
Final Strategy
Mastering these non-alcoholic Christmas drink recipes means stocking your bar strategically. You need to ensure you have quality bases like Splash of Wines for warming recipes and premium mixers like Sir James 101 for cold cocktails.
By preparing complex mixers and syrups ahead of time, you simplify your hosting and guarantee everyone enjoys a unique, zero-proof sip.