Holidays & Entertaining The Best Christmas Cocktails to Pair With Your Favorite Holiday Movies Whip up a batch (or a single cocktail) and make your traditional holiday binge-watch even more festive. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 10, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Liberty Films/Getty Images If your holiday season isn't complete without watching the Grinch's heart grow three sizes, George Bailey run jubilantly through the streets of Bedford Falls, or Charlie Brown pick the perfectly imperfect tree, you can add a new twist to your tradition—a signature cocktail that's just right for sipping with your favorite Christmas special. Fortunately, these Christmas cocktails are super easy to make, so you can whip one up during a commercial break and be ready to sip when the show starts up again. 17 Netflix Christmas Movies You Can Watch Right Now 01 of 09 It's a Wonderful Life + Mulled Wine IMDB Get the Recipe The angel Clarence asks for a "mulled wine, heavy on the cinnamon, and light on the cloves" when he takes George Bailey on the road to redemption in the holiday classic. So that seems like the perfect addition to your viewing party. Our Sweet-and-Spicy Mulled Wine features peppercorns—and there isn't a clove to be found. 02 of 09 The Grinch Who Stole Christmas + Deviled Margarita IMDB Get the Recipe The Dr. Seuss Christmas classic needs something green and just a little bit spicy (just like the Grinch himself). The Deviled Margarita, with its hint of cayenne, is the perfect cocktail for when you're feeling a bit Grinchy. (An upside-down strawberry garnish on the edge will help it look like the Grinch in Santa thief mode.) Tired of a Standard Margarita Recipe? Try These 5 Easy Upgrades 03 of 09 Miracle on 34th Street + Eggnog IMDB Get the Recipe For one of the most traditional Christmas movies, you can't beat one of the most traditional holiday cocktails—eggnog. (And you don't need to spend all day putting it together with an easy blender eggnog recipe.) 7 Festive Cocktails That Start With Store-Bought Eggnog 04 of 09 Elf + Holiday Amaretto Sour IMDB Get the Recipe The elves might consider candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup to be the four main food groups, but you don't have to pick something super-sweet to go with this movie. Instead, add Buddy's beloved maple syrup in lieu of simple syrup in your favorite cocktail to deliver a tasty twist perfect for Elf. Try the swap in a sparkling Amaretto sour. Can an Amaretto Sour Be Turned Into a Slushie? Uh, Yes. 05 of 09 A Charlie Brown Christmas + Buzzing Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolate IMDB Get the Recipe You may feel a little nostalgic when you watch Charlie Brown find the meaning of Christmas (for what feels like the millionth time)—so pick a boozy hot chocolate. The Buzzing Peppermint Mocha version can pay homage to Peppermint Patty at the same time. 15 Delicious Hot Chocolate Recipes That Are Over-the-Top Decadent 06 of 09 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation + Gingerbread Beer-tini IMDB Get the Recipe Combine the hokey Christmas-loving Clark Griswold with the hillbilly vibe of Cousin Eddie, and there's only one perfect cocktail: Tavour's gingery-sweet Gingerbread Beer-tini, made with brown ale and coffee. (Trust us: You'll like it.) 07 of 09 A Christmas Story + Holiday Negroni IMDB Get The Recipe In honor of Ralphie's beloved Red Ryder BB gun, try this crimson-hued Holiday Negroni. (Imagine how his dad might mangle that name, given his pronunciation of fragile.) Tired of the Standard Negroni Recipe? Try These Bartender-Approved Upgrades 08 of 09 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer + Rudolph's Sleigh Sidecar IMDB Get the Recipe When you're catching the Rankin-Bass animated classic about Santa's reindeer MVP, you'll want to sip on a kicked-up version of the classic sidecar cocktail, from Brooklyn cocktail house Leyenda. The sugared rim and holiday spices give the citrusy cocktail extra holiday flavor. 09 of 09 White Christmas + White Russian IMDB Get the Recipe For this uber-traditional holiday classic, you need a cocktail that's equally traditional—like the creamy, coffee goodness of a White Russian. 5 Buzz-Worthy Coffee Cocktail Recipes That Are So Simple to Make Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit