Eight Christmas drinks range from tart cranberry to warm spice. Seven have measured ingredients and instructions from their original recipes; one stays a flavor idea because its serving directions conflict.

Before Mixing

Check labels if you need a strictly alcohol-free drink, especially on sparkling mixers and bitters. Keep juices and cut fruit chilled and follow the FDA buffet guidance . Add carbonation when serving so it keeps its fizz.

For the table plan, start with the drink station guide . The Christmas hot chocolate bar is an option for guests who want a warm drink.

1. Cranberry Mocktail

Yield: 1 drink. Prep and total time: 5 minutes.

Ingredients

  • Crushed ice
  • 4 fluid ounces cranberry juice
  • 1 dash lime cordial
  • 4 fluid ounces ginger ale
  • 1 lemon slice, for garnish

Method

Fill a highball glass with crushed ice. Pour in the cranberry juice, lime cordial and ginger ale. Stir gently and garnish with the lemon slice. Check mixer labels for strict alcohol-free service.

2. Apple Cider Mocktail

Yield: 1 drink. Prep and total time: 5 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar, for the rim
  • 1 1/2 ounces apple cider
  • 1 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce pure maple syrup, plus more for the rim
  • 3 to 4 ounces ginger beer
  • 1 cinnamon stick, for garnish
  • 1 rosemary sprig, for garnish
  • 1 piece star anise, for garnish
  • 1 apple slice, for garnish
  • Ice

Method

Pour a little cinnamon sugar onto a plate and a little maple syrup onto another. Dip the outer edge of the glass in syrup, then roll it in cinnamon sugar. Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add the cider, lemon juice and maple syrup and stir. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with the cinnamon stick, rosemary, star anise or apple slice. For a serving-station approach, see the hot apple cider bar .

3. Mojito Mocktail

Yield: 2 drinks. Prep and total time: 5 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Small bunch of mint
  • Juice of 3 limes
  • Soda water
  • Crushed ice

Method

Muddle the sugar with the mint leaves using a pestle and mortar, or a small bowl and the end of a rolling pin. Put crushed ice in two tall glasses. Divide the lime juice and mint mixture between them, add a straw and top with soda water.

4. Pomegranate Mocktail

Yield: 1 mocktail. Prep and total time: 5 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces brewed Lapsang souchong black tea, cooled
  • 1 1/2 ounces pomegranate juice
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice
  • 3/4 ounce Harissa Simple Syrup
  • 1/2 ounce aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)
  • Dash of rose water
  • Ice
  • Pink peppercorns, for garnish

Method

Combine the tea, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, harissa syrup, aquafaba and rose water in a cocktail shaker. Cover and shake until the mixture begins to emulsify, about 45 seconds. Add ice and shake until the outside of the shaker is frosted, about 30 seconds. Strain into a glass and garnish with pink peppercorns. Use prepared harissa simple syrup for this recipe. This drink does not include a separate syrup method.

5. Pear and Ginger Holiday Mocktail

Yield: 1 drink.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons pear juice
  • 1 tablespoon ginger simple syrup
  • Ginger sparkling water or plain sparkling water/club soda
  • Pear slice, optional garnish
  • Sage sprig, optional garnish
  • Ice

Method

Fill a glass with ice. Add pear juice and ginger simple syrup, then top with ginger sparkling water or plain sparkling water. Garnish with pear and sage if desired. Use prepared ginger syrup , following its label and storage instructions.

6. Virgin Moscow Mule

A lime-and-ginger drink brings a sharper, fizzier option to the menu. This entry is a flavor idea without ingredient amounts or a method. For a different fruit-and-ginger drink with a full recipe, see the peach Moscow mule mocktail .

7. Shirley Temple

Yield: 1 drink. Prep and total time: 5 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
  • 1 tablespoon grenadine syrup
  • 1 maraschino cherry
  • Ice cubes

Method

Fill a tall glass with ice. Combine the orange juice and lemon-lime soda and pour over the ice. Pour in the grenadine and garnish with the cherry and a straw for stirring.

8. Cinnamon-Spiced Orange and Thyme Mocktail

Yield: 4 servings. Prep: 10 minutes. Total: 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 4 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 2 cups ice cubes
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 2 cups ginger ale

Method

Add the water, maple syrup, thyme and cinnamon to a small pan and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and steep for about 3 minutes, then let the syrup cool. Fill a shaker or mason jar halfway with ice and strain in the thyme syrup. Add the ginger and lemon juice and shake for 10 seconds. Divide the ice between four cups, strain the shaken mixture over it, then add the orange juice and ginger ale in equal parts. Garnish as desired.

Recipe and service notes

Use the measured ingredient list for each drink separately. Description-only ideas are not complete recipes. No TFA kitchen testing or storage-life validation is claimed. For service and cold holding, follow the FDA buffet guidance .