There’s something undeniably festive about gathering around a crackling fire, clinking glasses, and toasting to the joys of the season.
To make those moments even more unforgettable, Angel’s Envy brings you a collection of holiday cocktails—rich, indulgent, and delightfully festive.
Bourbon Christmas Cocktails
These holiday drinks are your ticket to a merrier Christmas holiday season—perfect for both experienced mixologists and enthusiastic home bartenders.
1. Hot Buttered Rum
Rich, warm, decadent.
There’s a reason this festive cocktail has endured through centuries—it’s the equivalent of a cozy blanket on a cold winter night. With Angel’s Envy bourbon, this Hot Buttered Rum recipe becomes even more decadent, adding a rich, oaky warmth to this already indulgent classic. It’s one of the best Christmas cocktails to serve at a holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz Angel’s Envy (preferably Triple Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon)
- 2 tablespoons Hot Buttered Rum mix (recipe below)
- 3 oz hot water
Hot Buttered Rum mix
- 1 lb butter
- 1 lb brown sugar
- 1 lb sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground clove
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened
Instructions
- Combine the Hot, Buttered Rum ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugars, and spices until well incorporated. Add the softened ice cream and mix until smooth. Store in a sealed container in the freezer.
- Craft the cocktail: Add the bourbon, Hot Buttered Rum mix, and hot water to a coffee mug. Stir until it dissolves.
- Optional ingredient: Add a swirl of cranberry syrup or a splash of cranberry juice to the hot water before mixing. This creates a tangy balance to the buttered sweetness.
- Serve: Pour in heat-retaining glass mugs to showcase the golden hue. For a holiday party, prepare a larger batch, chill it in advance, and pour it into a punch bowl. Add grated nutmeg or cinnamon sticks on top for extra aroma.
- Garnish: Top the festive holiday drinks with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick. Use freshly grated nutmeg—it enhances the aromatic warmth.
Meal pairing
- Roasted chestnuts: Their nutty flavor mirrors the drink’s warmth.
- Glazed ham sliders: Sweet and savory, these pair beautifully with the rich bourbon.
- Gingerbread cookies: The spices in the cookies amplify the nutmeg and cinnamon in the drink.
2. Holiday Eggnog

Creamy, spiced, luxurious.
No list of Christmas alcoholic drinks is complete without an eggnog cocktail, but this isn’t your average store-bought version. Angel’s Envy bourbon and Madeira wine bring sophistication and depth to the recipe, creating a velvety indulgence that feels like Christmas in a glass.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Angel’s Envy (preferably 2024 Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels)
- 4–5 fresh organic eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup simple syrup
- ½ cup Madeira or port wine
- 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
- ½ tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Separate the egg whites and yolks. Beat the whites until stiff peaks form, then mix in the yolks and simple syrup.
- Blend the flavors: Add ice cream, milk, cream, and spices. Blend until smooth.
- Spike it: Stir in the bourbon and Madeira or port wine.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Pour into chilled mugs or punch cups. Sprinkle with nutmeg, and garnish with a cinnamon stick. For an extra festive twist, garnish with candied orange peel or edible gold flakes.
Meal pairing
- Cheese fondue with crusty bread: Creamy meets creamy for a cozy holiday vibe.
- Roasted turkey with cranberry sauce: The cranberry sweetness balances the eggnog’s richness.
- Spiced snickerdoodles: Their cinnamon sugar coating pairs perfectly with the nutmeg notes in the drink.
3. The Nutcracker
Bold, complex, festive.
The Nutcracker is a symphony of flavors—a little spicy, a little sweet, and undeniably festive. With Angel’s Envy Rye as the centerpiece, this refined drink is one of the best cocktails to showcase on Christmas Eve.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Angel’s Envy (ideally Rye Whiskey Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks)
- ½ oz sweet vermouth
- ½ oz Amaro Averna
- ¼ oz creme de cacao
- 2 dashes of black walnut bitters
Instructions
- Build the drink: Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice. If you like, you can replace part of the Amaro Averna with pomegranate juice to create a slightly sweeter, fruitier version of this drink. Stir until chilled.
- Serve: Strain into a coupe glass. For a festive look, garnish with a candy cane stirrer or a dusting of edible glitter.
- Optional touch: Add an absinthe rinse for a sophisticated edge.
Meal pairing
- Beef Wellington: The buttery pastry and rich beef are a bold match for this drink’s deep flavors.
- Dark chocolate tart: A decadent dessert to complement the nutty and chocolate notes.
- Herb-crusted lamb chops: The herbal crust plays off the amaro’s complexity.
4. All Spiced Dram Bourbon
Spiced. Aromatic. Inviting.
If holiday spices are your love language, this Christmas cocktail recipe will speak straight to your heart. The All Spiced Dram Bourbon marries the robust flavor of Angel’s Envy bourbon with zesty orange bitters and the subtle licorice notes of star anise. Each sip, a warm embrace.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Angel’s Envy (preferably Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks)
- 2 dashes of orange bitters
- 1 star anise
Instructions
- Mix it: Add bourbon and bitters to a mixing glass with ice. Stir gently to combine.
- Optional: Add orange juice to the mix. It will amplify the spices while adding a light, refreshing note.
- Strain: Pour into a rocks glass over a single large ice cube.
- Garnish: Float a whole star anise on the surface and twist an orange peel over the glass to release its aromatic oils. You can also add fresh cranberries to the glass for a subtle tartness.
Pro tip:
Fresh star anise elevates the flavor, ensuring the spices bloom beautifully in the glass.
Meal pairing
- Candied pecans: Sweet and spiced to complement the bourbon.
- Smoked brisket: Its smoky richness matches the drink’s depth.
- Fig and brie crostini: Sweet and savory creamy treat – perfect festive appetizers.
Explore our full list of Angel’s Envy inspired bourbon cocktails.