The holidays are made for clinking glasses and living it out in snug pyjamas. Sure, a bottle of good Wine or Champagne feels special enough on its own—but turn it into a cocktail, and suddenly the drink feels like part of the holiday vibe & celebration. I’m talking about cozy mugs of mulled wine after dinner, cranberry-topped spritzers that look like little ornaments in a glass, or Champagne cocktails that practically beg to be had with scrambled eggs on a lazy holiday morning.
These drinks aren’t fussy, and you don’t need to call a certified bartender to stir them up. Building them is as simple as adding a splash of juice, some chopped fruit, or a liqueur you probably already have in your bar cabinet. And because they’re built around wine or Champagne, they naturally feel festive and special without being complicated.
Sipping With The Seasons: Summer vs. Winter Wine Cocktails
When it comes to cocktails, the season really does play a part in setting the right mood. Summer Wine Cocktails are all about light and refreshing flavours—chilled rosé wine spritzer or a cooling white wine spritzer, a white wine sangria packed with juicy fruits, the good old chilled mimosa or a crisp & clean Champagne cocktail with citrus flavours. These summer wine cocktails are perfect sundowners to chill out on warm summer evenings.
Winter wine cocktails on the other hand are all about warmth and cozy comfort in a glass. Red wine and Champagne mixed cocktails, mulled wine with warm winter spices, or splash of Ice Wine topped Champagne set the right tone as you sip them by the fireplace.
Summer cocktails feel like a soothing sunset, while the winter wine cocktails are wrapping yourself in a fuzzy blanket. But, both remind us how versatile Wine and Champagne can be all year around.
Now that we have decoded the summer and winter cocktails, let us unfurl some fun recipes and elegant, playful holiday wine & champagne cocktails.
Wine Cocktails vs. Champagne Cocktails: Which One to Choose?
Both wine and champagne make wonderful bases for holiday cocktails, but they shine in different ways:
- Wine Cocktails: Best for cozy cocktails that scream holidays, like mulled wine or winter red wine sangria pitcher. They’re great for Christmas Eve dinners, family gatherings, or when you want something flavourful and comforting for a cozy evening of solitude.
- Champagne Cocktails: Perfect for elegant moments and festive toasts. Think Christmas brunch, New Year’s Eve countdowns, holiday cocktail and canapé parties or those long & lazy holiday high teas. These drinks are light, bubbly, and very celebratory.
The good news? You don’t have to choose—serve both! Start the night with a batch of wine cocktails, then switch to sparkling holiday Champagne cocktails for the toast as you countdown to Christmas or New Year.
Why Wine and Champagne Cocktails Belong on Your Holiday Menu
I feel Wine and Champagne already are quite celebratory, but mixing them into cocktails takes things to the next level and brings about a touch of holiday cheer. The beauty is that you don’t need to be a professional bartender—just a few seasonal ingredients, your favourite bottle of bubbly or wine, and you’ve got yourself a holiday-ready drink.
From light and fruity to warm and comforting, these Christmas wine cocktails and holiday Champagne cocktails pair perfectly with the season’s delish fare like gingerbread cookies, rum balls, chicken or turkey roast, chip & dip platters and all else. You can adjust the sweetness, add festive garnishes to add a themed vibe, and create signature drinks that look as good as they taste.
White Wine Cocktails: From Summer Brightness to Holiday Cheer
White wine isn’t just for serving it simply in a chilled glass—it can make some of the easiest and refreshing cocktails.
- White Wine Spritzer
White wine gets a quick, bubbly lift from sparkling water or tonic, add a garnish of lemon slice for a zesty kick. - Peach Bellini
White wine mixed with peach puree gives way to a fun, sunset-hued drink that you can sip on a warm evening. This is the perfect cocktail for folks celebrating holidays in a summer paradise. - Elderflower White Wine Cocktail
This one is super simple, just top up a chilled helping of your favourite white wine with a splash of elderflower liqueur—a crisp & floral cocktail is ready for a warm weather holiday gathering. This could be your go to summer holiday drink as well, perfect to sip under the warm sun.
Compare and understand the most popular white wines and choose the right one for your favourite cocktail — Chardonnay vs. Sauvignon Blanc Guide
Holiday-Inspired Red Wine Cocktails
Red wine is warm, bold and rich—perfectly embodying the holiday mood. Some simple ingredients right from your kitchen and you can stir up stylish holiday red wine cocktails.
- Mulled Wine Magic
No holiday season is complete without mulled wine. It feels like I’m back in Vienna taking a slow & a happily aimless stroll down the Christmas market whilst snugging a cup of mulled wine between my palms.
Simmer red wine with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves, and you’ll fill your home with cozy aromas of Christmas and just like that, your mulled wine is ready. This is one of the best Christmas wine cocktails for family gatherings, easy and so soothing. - Red Wine Spritzer with Cranberries
Light, refreshing, and festive. A simple red wine spritzer dressed up with fresh cranberries and rosemary makes a gorgeous holiday cocktail with wine that guests can sip all night long and you can make it ahead to save yourself the bartending later.
Choose a medium alcohol red wine like a Pinot Noir, to ensure a lower potency of this cocktail. This holiday red wine cocktail would be best for folks who prefer subtle and fruit forward drinks. - Winter Red Wine Sangria
Sub summer fruits for pomegranate seeds, red apples, and cinnamon sticks to create a holiday sangria. With a bold red wine base, this is a festive cocktail that doubles as a punch bowl centrepiece for your gorgeous grazing table.
This is actually a staple at most of my autumn winter lunches as these flavours hit just right with the arrival of sweater weather. And yes, it does double up as a gorgeous centrepiece.
Can You Mix Red Wine and Champagne?
Funny enough, this is a question I get asked all the time: can you mix red wine and Champagne? The short answer is yes, you absolutely can. The longer answer is—you’ll want to choose your red wine carefully. Something soft and fruity like a Pinot Noir works better than a heavier Cabernet Sauvignon. Lighter red wines mixed with Champagne, result in cocktails that are both rich and refreshing, and indulgent without being over the top.
One of my favourites? A Velvet Fizz—just a small pour of Pinot Noir in the glass, topped with cold Champagne. It’s simple, but feels like a party trick in that tulip glass.
Best Red Wine & Champagne Mix Cocktail Ideas
- Sparkling Sangria – Red wine, a splash of brandy, sliced oranges and pomegranate seeds, topped with Champagne instead of soda or tonic. It’s wintery, colourful, and a total crowd pleaser at holiday parties.
- Holiday Blush Royale – Half rosé wine, half Champagne, with a touch of cranberry juice for a seasonal kick. Simple, fast, and looks incredible with that colour build up. Feeling fancy? Serve it with sugared cranberries on the rim.
- Velvet Fizz – A small pour of Pinot Noir in the glass, topped with well-chilled Champagne. It’s simple, but feels like a party trick in a flute. Drop in a couple blueberries and you’ve got a dressed up holiday cocktail.
Looking to pick a stunning red wine gift for Christmas but can’t decide, read our special red wine gift guide to compare the most gifted red wines — Merlot vs. Pinot Noir - Which Red Wine Makes A Better Gift?
Champagne Cocktails That Shine
- Classic Champagne Cocktail
This is a timeless Champagne cocktail for the holidays that never goes out of style. A sugar cube with bitters topped with Champagne and a lemon twist—stunningly effortless and so French. - Poinsettia
One of the most loved Christmas Champagne cocktails. Mix together cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and Champagne for a sparkling red drink that looks as festive as it tastes. - French 75
If you’re toasting to the New Year, this is your cocktail. All you need is gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup topped with Champagne—crisp, refreshing, and one of the best Champagne cocktails for New Year’s Eve. - Champagne and St. Germain
Add a splash of elderflower liqueur to your bubbly for a floral, elegant drink. Perfect for winter weddings, New Year’s celebrations, or any occasion that calls for sophistication and novelty. - Kir Royale
The Kir Royale is the most classic Champagne cocktail you can make for the holidays. All you need is just two ingredients—Champagne (or any other quality sparkling wine) and a splash of crème de cassis, a sweet blackcurrant liqueur from France. The drink is deep ruby, lightly fruity, and effortlessly classy. Choose this as an apéritif during the holidays.
Ice Wine & Champagne Cocktail
I have tried this and the result was a truly decadent and an elevated holiday drink that pleased everyone with its sweet flavours and bubbly playfulness. Ice Wine has sweet & concentrated flavours that get beautifully balanced by Champagne’s mousse and crisp sparkle.
Add a small pour of Ice Wine at the bottom of a flute, top it up with chilled Champagne, to elevate the aesthetics of this drink, you can add chopped sweet grapes and voila! A gorgeous holiday cocktail is ready.
It’s the kind of drink that feels tailor-made for holiday parties or special occasions or when you want to wow your guests with something they may have never tried before. All this without any sweat!
Rosé Wine & Champagne Cocktails
If red wine cocktails feel a bit too much, try switching to a light and fruity rosé wine as your cocktail base. A Rosé Wine & Champagne cocktail is light, refreshing and simply looks gorgeous in a flute or a coupé glass, in case you want to stir up a vintage vibe.
Add a sprig of rosemary and a few fresh raspberries to slip into the holiday-ready mood. I like to call this—Blush Fizz. Perfect cocktail not just holidays, but also for brunches, bridal showers or just because. It’s fun and bubbly, without the heaviness of alcohol or intense flavours.
A Rosé Spritzer is easy-peasy wherein you just have to top your favourite rosé wine with some sparkling water and danish with rose petals or red berries for a festive flair. A Rosé Champagne would be perfect and the most elegant drink — all you need to do? Garnish with fresh raspberries and rosemary, done!
Tips for Serving Holiday Wine and Champagne Cocktails
- Chill your glasses: This ensures to keep Champagne cocktails bubbly and fresh.
- Garnish with flair: Think sugared cranberries, rosemary sprigs, or citrus slices for Instagram-worthy holiday cocktails.
- Pitchers for parties: Make mulled wine or a sangria pitcher in advance so you can enjoy the party instead of playing bartender throughout.
List Of Best Holiday Wine & Champagne Cocktails
Top 5 Christmas Wine Cocktails
- Mulled Wine with cinnamon stick and cloves - warm, fuzzy and a holiday favourite.
- Red Wine Spritzer with cranberries and rosemary - festive ruby hues and holiday flavours.
- Winter Red Wine Sangria with pomegranate and apples - winter fruits and captivating wine notes make this a holiday classic.
- Spiced Red Wine Punch with citrus and a dash of brandy - warmth of sweet spices to make your holidays more cozy.
- Rosé wine Christmas Punch with wine, pears, and cranberries - light, bright and fresh, perfect for sunny afternoon brunches during the holidays.
Top 5 Holiday Champagne Cocktails
- Classic Champagne Cocktail (sugar cube + bitters) — nothing could be more fun, quick and classy.
- Poinsettia (Champagne + cranberry juice + orange liqueur) — Colourful and flavourful, it’s a drink that captures holiday mood and colours in a flute.
- French 75 (Champagne + gin + lemon) — Classy, skinny and so French. This Champagne cocktail is sure to elevate your holiday party.
- Champagne & St. Germain (with elderflower liqueur) — Fizz and florals are enchanting and this Champagne cocktail will be like a fresh bouquet in a flute.
- Mimosa with a holiday twist (Champagne + orange juice + pomegranate seeds) — The classic with added holiday cheer is sure to find a prime spot on your holiday breakfast table.
Won’t a pretty Mimosa Gift Basket be just the thing for this cocktail!?
Top 5 White Wine Cocktails to Try
- White Wine Spritzer – Just white wine, sparkling water, and a squeeze of lemon makes this timeless classic.
- Spiced White Wine Spritz – White wine with a dash of orange liqueur, topped with sparkling and garnished with star anise, a perfect cocktail for chilly winter nights.
- Winter White Sangria – White wine with apple slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and a splash of ginger ale for the holiday sparkle.
- Elderflower White Wine Cocktail – Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio mixed with elderflower liqueur and topped with soda. Floral, crisp, and easy to love.
- Peach Bellini – Fruity and elegant, perfect for brunch or summertime holiday celebrations.
Planning a holiday wine party and wondering, how to pair wine & cheese? Read our Wine & Cheese Pairing Guide, to dish out a dreamy wine & cheese party this holiday season.
A Toast to the Season
From Christmas wine cocktails like mulled wine and winter red wine sangria to holiday Champagne cocktails like the French 75, Kir Royale and Poinsettia, these drinks bring an extra dose of sparkle to your celebrations.
Wine & Champagne Cocktails are celebratory, easy to prepare, and sure to impress. Share this blog and curated Holiday Wine Gift Basket with a friend now and ensure they have a cheerful start of the holiday season.
Explore our curated collection of fine Wine Gift Baskets—perfect for cocktails and food pairings, delivered right at your doorstep.
Explore handcrafted Champagne Gift Baskets—plan a fun holiday cocktail making party and leave your delivery woes for us.
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