A good holiday drink should make everyone at the table feel part of the toast, including guests who aren’t partaking in alcohol. Maybe they’re driving, coaching an early morning game, pregnant or nursing, or would simply rather skip the booze that night. Whatever the reason, they deserve better than a can of seltzer pulled from the back of the fridge.

We have six holiday cocktails, with each one having a non-alcoholic option, served in the same glass with a garnish. No matter what you or your guest choose, they’re great for a Friday night kickoff, a weeknight with friends, or a holiday dinner — and most of them can be mixed ahead so you can spend the night with your guests instead of behind the bar.

Six cocktails & their zero-proof alternatives at a glance

The bar basics to buy first

You need three things to make every drink below: a shaker with a strainer, a jigger or other measuring device, and the appropriate glassware. A few pantry items cover the rest:

• Simple syrup: stir equal parts sugar and hot water until dissolved, then cool. It keeps in the refrigerator for a few weeks.
• Fresh citrus: lemons, limes, and oranges. Bottled juice works in a pinch, but fresh is always optimal.
• Garnishes: fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and orange peel.
• Plenty of ice: buy more than you think you need.

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If you don’t own a shaker yet, a cobbler-style shaker with a built-in strainer and a measuring cap does the job of three tools. The True Vista shaker holds 14 ounces and has measurements printed on a clear window, so you can pour straight in without a separate jigger.

1. Cranberry Moscow Mule & Cranberry Ginger Fizz

A classic mule with cranberry added looks festive in a copper mug and takes about 30 seconds to make.

• 2 oz vodka
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 3 oz ginger beer
• Garnish: lime wedge and a few fresh cranberries

How to make it: Fill a mug with ice. Add vodka, cranberry, and lime juice, then top with ginger beer and stir once.

Make ahead: Mix the vodka, cranberry, and lime in a pitcher. Pour over ice and add ginger beer to each drink so it stays fizzy.

Zero-proof option (Cranberry Ginger Fizz): Skip the vodka and use 3 oz cranberry juice.

Copper mugs are what make a mule look like a mule. Libbey’s set of four 14-ounce copper mugs is enough for a small gathering.

2. Pomegranate French 75 & Pomegranate Spritz

The French 75 is gin, lemon, and sparkling wine. A splash of pomegranate gives it that ruby red color perfect for the holidays.

• 1 oz gin
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• ½ oz pomegranate juice
• 2 oz chilled sparkling wine
• Garnish: a few pomegranate seeds or a lemon twist

How to make it: Shake gin, lemon, simple syrup, and pomegranate with ice. Strain into a coupe or flute and top with sparkling wine.

Make ahead: Mix the gin, lemon, syrup, and pomegranate up to a few hours ahead and refrigerate. Shake each serving with ice and top with sparkling wine to order.

Zero-proof option (Pomegranate Spritz): Combine 1 oz pomegranate juice, ½ oz lemon, and ½ oz simple syrup, then top with non-alcoholic sparkling wine or sparkling water.

3. Maple Old Fashioned & Maple Black Tea

Maple syrup replaces sugar and gives the drink a warmer, rounder flavor.

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Garnish: orange peel

How to make it: Stir bourbon, maple, and bitters with ice for about 20 seconds. Strain over one large ice cube and twist the orange peel over the top.

Make ahead: Multiply the recipe, mix in a bottle, and refrigerate. Pour 2½ oz over ice per drink.

Zero-proof option (Maple Black Tea): Stir 3 oz cooled strong black tea with 1 tsp maple syrup and serve over ice with an orange peel. Aromatic bitters contain alcohol, so leave them out.

4. Espresso Martini & Shaken Espresso

This is a good option later in the evening when guests want coffee with dessert.

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz freshly brewed espresso, cooled
• ½ oz coffee liqueur
• ¼ oz simple syrup
• Garnish: three coffee beans

How to make it: Shake the ingredients with ice vigorously for 15 seconds to create foam. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Make ahead: Brew and chill the espresso earlier in the day. Shake each drink to order.

Zero-proof option (Shaken Espresso): Shake 2 oz cooled espresso with ½ oz simple syrup and a splash of milk or oat milk.

A coupe is the classic glass for both the espresso martini and the French 75. True’s set of four 7-ounce coupes is a simple style that works for both.

5. Coconut Margarita & Coconut Lime Cooler

Creamy, white, and bright with lime. A shredded coconut rim gives the drink a snow-dusted look.

• 2 oz blanco tequila
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz cream of coconut
• ½ oz orange liqueur
• Rim: lime juice and unsweetened shredded coconut

How to make it: Wet the rim of the glass with lime and dip it in coconut. Shake the remaining ingredients hard with ice and strain over fresh ice.

Make ahead: Rim the glasses and mix the base a few hours ahead. Stir the base before shaking, since cream of coconut separates as it sits.

Zero-proof option (Coconut Lime Cooler): Shake 1 oz cream of coconut and 1 oz lime with 3 oz coconut water.

6. Holiday Sangria & Cranberry Tea Punch (serves about 8)

The easiest way to serve a crowd. Make this ahead of time, as it tastes better after the fruit soaks overnight.

• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine
• ½ cup brandy
• ¼ cup orange liqueur
• 1 cup pomegranate or cranberry juice
• 1 orange and 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Club soda, to top

How to make it: Combine everything except the club soda in a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Pour over ice and top each glass with a splash of club soda.

Zero-proof option (Cranberry Tea Punch): Steep the fruit and cinnamon in 3 cups of cranberry juice and 2 cups of brewed black tea, then top with club soda.

Hosting tips for a smoother party

• Batch what you can ahead of time. Make the sangria the night before, and mix the mule base and the Old Fashioned base earlier in the day or once the kids are in bed. When guests arrive, all that’s left is pouring. Save shaken drinks for a smaller group or later in the night.
• Set up a self-serve station. Put the batched drinks, ice, garnishes, and a small card with the recipe on a side table so guests can help themselves.
• Make zero-proof drinks easy to find. Label them and serve them in the same glassware, so guests who aren’t drinking don’t feel singled out. A pot of hot spiced cider is another easy option.
• Keep water out all night. A pitcher with citrus slices next to the bar makes it easy for guests to alternate drinks with water.
• Know what’s in a drink. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1.5 oz of 80-proof spirits is one standard drink, so a cocktail with 2 oz of liquor plus a liqueur is more than one.
• Plan for rides. Have rideshare numbers handy or offer a couch for anyone who shouldn’t drive.
• Store bottles out of kids’ reach. If little ones are around, keep liquor and leftover drinks off low tables and counters.

Still deciding what to wear to the party? Our fall 2026 capsule wardrobe includes pieces that work for holiday events.